Indeed.
![](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v641/deacy1/Photos%20on%20Forums%20Album/image_zps83qwbv7v.jpeg)
( Michel with Tony at the opening of Disneyland's 'Fantasy Faire' which they both worked on together - March 2013 )
The mentorship relationship between two creatives is a personal development process that has always meant a lot to Tony.
A mentor outstretches his hand to a young mentee and they collaborate to help encourage the already present creative skills.
The mentor / mentee relationship swings both ways, as the older mentor passes down what he has learned through his years to the younger mentee and vice versa.
It is a mutually benificial exchange for both the 'old veteran' and the 'new recruit'.
Michel is one such mentee.
This is something that Tony wanted to be a part of in his later years and still is in some respects.
It's what I lament the most about regarding his 'retirement' a few years ago....purposely being put out to pasture and thus being somewhat forcibly distanced from partaking in the mentorship opportunities he likely wants to be actively a part of.
He himself is the direct result of a excellent mentor / mentee relationship so can relate to the situation on a personal level.
It was the great Claude Coats who was Tony's mentor all those years ago....back when he first began at WED.
Claude saw the creative potential in that skinny college kid and gave him the chance to make his mark....and wow, did he ever!
We have all benefitted from that.
Here's hoping for yet more to come from folks like Michel!
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