Is Traditional Animation...Done for?

[SetoGirl]

Well, I just heard that Disney's latest "traditional animated" movie, "Home on the Range" bomed. Now, I'm reading the reviews (trying to find out if its really worth seeing) and I kept running into the same flippin' message: "Disney's had it with animation and should just let Pixar do all the movie work from now on." To be honest, I'm really irritated by these statements that these single-minded critics are making about traditional 2-D animation. Because isn't the plot and characters that keep a movie interesting? In other words; Wouldn't "Finding Nemo" be just as good if wasn't in CGI animation but in 2-D animation? Of course it would, right? I'm only bringing this up because I have high hopes of being an animator in a big movie someday and my inspiration for this dream has always come from watching movies like "The Lion King, Aladin, and Mulan." I've always wanted to be a part of making a traditional animated Disney classic but from the way things are going, by the time I'm out of college and ready to take on the Animation World...well...there just might not be an Animation World for me to take on, y'know? Is there anyone out there who understands what I mean? I know it kind of sounds like I'm ranting about some trivial topic but for me, I'm kind of seeing my life-long dream goin' down the toilet.

 

[Wilt Dasney]

Those critics are likely playing off statements that Michael Eisner has made, saying that HotR will be the studio's final hand-drawn effort and that they will focus on CGI films from this point (their own efforts, as Pixar and Disney are no longer playing nice together).

You are, of course, correct...the format means very little without substance to back it up. I suspect that, after a few CGI bombs by Disney and a fantastic 2-D film from some other studio, we may see a change of heart by Eisner (or whomever) on this issue.

 

[Pat X]

Maybe I am delusional, but I am still optimistic we'll see 2D from Disney again at some point. Disney did re-sign the directors and producer of Brother Bear to a new contract to develop another film.

Also, "Variety" announced several months ago that there is a film at Disney under development called, The Three Pigs which will be a mix of traditional and CGI.

So, I think time will tell. However, I do think that Disney should delve into the CGI arena and depending on Pixar has hurt them more than it has helped in the long term.