The passionate and intelligent letter Tony has written shows his deep understanding of the product, why it works and what it needs to continue.
It was a shining example of how Tony "gets" the motivation for folks to visit the theme parks and ride the rides. There are times when I feel the upper echelon in Burbank doesn't get it and never will. Especially now.
I was really impressed as I always am with his grasp of the experience and his positive outlook on his new position. He still wants to be involved in projects and makes a great case to the younger Imagineers to seek those rare mentorship opportunities, even if they are not with him.
They should be with him. Absolutely. But I suspect the poisonous atmosphere that was oozing out between the lines of Bruce's letter will kill any opportunity Tony could have for this. Which is yet another reason to dislike the direction this company seems hellbent on taking.
This thread in a way hoped to be a mild form of that for those seeking a career in this industry. Tony and I were molded by our teachers (all 2G Imagineers were) and he is offering to pass his wisdom on to those who see it's value. I did and still benefit from him and others and never stop learning.
You and Tony and others cut from your designer cloth, as it were, see the value in the mentor/apprentice relationship because you value history and tradition and cohesiveness. Too many artists and their handlers today are simply too arrogant to believe that the older generation can teach them anything. All they see are wrinkled sacks of bones who aren't glued to their smartphones and tweeting every five minutes, and therefore, couldn't possibly understand
them or offer any meaningful information that would make their professional lives easier.
Sure, not every thirtysomething is like that. But many are, especially the ones moving up the TWDC executive food chain. They're the ones who look down their noses at the 2G Imagineers, believing them to be a waste of time and capital. And they're the ones who are killing Walt's theme park legacy without even realizing it.
I will comment on all of this much more when I have more time. Yes, it seems that he is no longer in a place to be assigned or lead projects, so the "crown" has been passed. But he is there to share those encrusted "jewels" with anyone that would see the wisdom and value in that experience. They should.
You're absolutely correct, they should. But my gut tells me they won't.
Herb Ryman came on as a consultant on Main Street and taught me many things right at the end of his life. He didn't run the project but in an advisory way provided insight and when he could, his visual skills. Tony can be used as a resource in this way as well. Herb had a great effect on what we did in Paris back then even though he was not a project leader. I learned more from him at his house, at lunch or cocktails, than in any meeting. I asked Tony to come in and critique the TDL Pooh Ride layout and he gave me some good insights. It was very valuable to have his sensibility on ride design as as well as some others. Having him do even that is a huge thing.
Wow. I never knew Herbie did that for your work on Main Street. Too bad the younger Imagineers just starting out won't have the same access to the depth and breadth of experience that you and Tony both had.
Eddie, do you feel that the current lack of respect and loss of desirability for the traditional mentor/apprentice relationship at WDI is because of the future direction that Burbank wants to take Glendale?
Personally, I get the feeling that Iger wants to eventually convert Imagineering into the Universal Creative model, with a small skeleton crew of permanent employees overseeing contractors and consultants handling the outsourced work. If most of the design work was done by outside studios and design firms, then the need for a permanent in-house design staff -- and their mentors -- would be drastically reduced if not eliminated.
If this is the direction TWDC is ultimately heading, then I'd be very concerned about my future, if I were an Imagineer over 55 with at least 30 years under my belt. Tom, Joe, and Kim should be very concerned now.
