Floyd Norman

Toon Tuesday: Taking a wild ride on the "Jungle Book" express

Floyd Norman — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:40:00 GMT

The other evening, a pal who works for an animation studio that shall remain nameless was telling me about the project he was developing. It was great news to hear he had garnered the attention of the studio bosses and was moving into development on his new movie. But I couldn't but think how things have changed in the cartoon business. People constantly tell me how much "The Jungle Book" impressed them. We thought it was okay. But this movie made a ton of movie back in 1967 and helped...(read more)

Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, Jim Henson and the matter of time

Floyd Norman — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:52:00 GMT

The three men were engaged in a spirited conversation when I took a seat directly behind them. This was a screening room at the Walt Disney Studio and we were there to get a look at a new animated feature film being produced by Pixar Animation Studios . In front of me and to my right was the Vice Chairman, Roy Edward Disney and to my left was animation veteran and Disney Legend Joe Grant . Seated in between the two of them was the guy who owned the fledgling animation company. His name was Steve...(read more)

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Wed, 12 Oct 2011 03:52:00 GMT

Toon Tuesday: Working without a Net

Floyd Norman — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 03:01:00 GMT

The new Mission Impossible trailer was screened last weekend and I couldn't help looking for the screen credit, "Directed by Brad Bird." I've always considered Brad to be a risk taker and I remember him saying that a creative person has to be willing to "leap off the cliff" if necessary. Brad Bird knows what it takes to make good movies In today's less-than-creative environment it's cool to hear such sentiments expressed so openly. When Bird journeyed to Pixar...(read more)

How an under-developed, over-cooked "Black Cauldron" led to better days at Disney Animation Studios

Floyd Norman — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:53:00 GMT

I didn't work on Disney's " The Black Cauldron ," so you'll gain no film-making insights from me this time around. Oddly enough, this was a very important film for The Walt Disney Company. And although it didn't exactly burn up the box office charts when it opened, "The Black Cauldron" served an even greater purpose. However, we'll get to that later. What I did find interesting back in the early 1980s was a change in attitude at Disney's animation department...(read more)

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Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:53:00 GMT

As Walt Disney once said: "I think it's important to have a good, hard failure"

Floyd Norman — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:00:00 GMT

If you're a fan of Pixar Animation Studios (and I'll admit I am) you're probably familiar with the evolution of their first animated feature. A little film called " Toy Story ." You see, the motion picture concept the boys from up north showed Disney back in the 1990s was hardly greeted with warm enthusiasm. As a matter of fact, some Disney executives wanted the movie shut down. Confronted by this dire situation, the Pixar brain trust decided to regroup and rethink the entire...(read more)

Toon Tuesday: Clothes Encounters of the Disney Studio Kind

Floyd Norman — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:11:00 GMT

You probably didn't know this, but Ward Kimball 's "science unit" on the second floor of Walt Disney's Animation Building had a pretty intriguing development slate back in the 1950s. You see, once Kimball finished with his science films about space travel and future highways , there were other fascinating topics Ward's creative unit was eager to tackle. Let me tell you about one of them, and why I consider it a fascinating subject. Ward (he's the one in black wearing...(read more)

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Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:11:00 GMT

What's the connection between Roy E. Disney's camera and the 1965 Watts Riot?

Floyd Norman — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 04:49:00 GMT

Back in Disney's old days, life was simple. It was before corporate laid down dozens of rules, protocols and regulations that complicated the heck out of everything. When an employee wanted to sell something, he or she simply posted it on the company bulletin board. That meant any Disney employee could take advantage of the dozens or hundreds of potential buyers who walked the hallways each day. It was craigslist before there was a craigslist and eBay before there was an eBay. A slip of paper...(read more)

Toon Tuesday: Undercover (Parking) at Disney Studio

Floyd Norman — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:18:00 GMT

Once upon a time there were no parking structures on the Walt Disney Studio lot. The under and above ground parking facilities we take for granted today were once non-existent. Disney staffers either parked in available space on the lot or sought street parking. Of course, there were fewer cars in those days so it really wasn't an issue. If you were a Disney big shot back in the day you had shed parking. And, what is that, you ask? Well, if you're as old as I am, you'll remember that...(read more)

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Tue, 11 Jan 2011 02:18:00 GMT

Why it's dangerous for animation studios to get fat & happy

Floyd Norman — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 04:14:00 GMT

Several years ago a group of young artists were griping about things at their studio. Their behavior amused and annoyed me. I scolded the kids and informed them that one day they would look back and remember this time as the good old days and wonder why they ever complained about anything. Every studio goes through this very special period. It's the beginning. It's the honeymoon. It's the start of a brave new adventure - and to be sure, it's always extremely exciting. I know - I've...(read more)

Toon Tuesday: Getting Sacked, Disney Style

Floyd Norman — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT

It's never fun to lose your job. Getting your dismissal papers can be downright traumatic or just plain odd. Let me tell you about the unique way Walt Disney said bye-bye to the artists & writers whose ideas failed to impress him. This was a time when there was no Human Resource Department to act as a buffer, and getting sacked was an art in itself. When we were kids back in the day, it was not unusual to see a number of animation veterans arrive at the Walt Disney Studio charged with a task...(read more)

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Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Young kids & old codgers proved to be a very powerful combo at Walt Disney Studio

Floyd Norman — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 04:00:00 GMT

It never occurred to me at the moment. I guess I was too busy being enthralled by all the amazing artwork on the walls. Yet, there was something different about the animation unit, and it took me a while before I realized what it was. It turns out the entire unit was unique. It was comprised of animation veterans and green young kids beginning their move up the animation ladder. Why is this important, you ask? Read on, and you'll find out why. The entire second floor space of D-wing was occupied...(read more)

The female artists & animators who changed Disney Studio’s “boys will be boys” culture

Floyd Norman — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Disney Legend Floyd Norman take a look at the 1950s & 1960s. When – thanks to a few pioneering women -- the Animation Building stopped being a male-only domain

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Mon, 05 Jul 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Toon Tuesday: The Wow Factor

Floyd Norman — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Disney Legend Floyd Norman returns with a column where he talks about how he’d overhaul today's animation industry if given the chance

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Toon Tuesday: Exploding on Lift Off

Floyd Norman — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Disney Legend Floyd Norman returns with a column that’s sure to resonate with today’s filmmakers. Which talks about how it’s never fun when your movie bursts into flame while it’s still sitting on the launching pad

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Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:00:00 GMT

When you work in animation, there’s just no avoiding those Pink Slip Blues

Floyd Norman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Disney Legend Floyd Norman returns with a column that discusses one of the lesser popular aspects of working in Toontown. And that’s the layoff that invariably comes whenever a new animated feature completes production

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