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Tony Baxter D23 Interview: slams NextGen and The Myth of the Story
- Thread starter Captain Neo
- Start date
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
I think Morris is the one who put in the Pacific Wharf rock work arch that blocked Paradise Pier from becoming a central view on Radiator Springs Racers and is now widely considered the best way to enter Cars Land.
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HMF
Well-Known Member
I thought Jacobson was Fitzgerald's Protégé.
disneylandfan95
Member
Eric Jacobson actually credits Tony Baxter for starting his career at WDI. Tony encouraged him to submit a portfolio while Eric was in college and working at the park, which eventually led to his hiring at the Model Shop. Of course, that relationship became strained in the last few years of Tony's career where he became bitter and more vocal about issues in the parks (of course, I don't blame him!)
Tom and Eric have worked together on a few things, but I wouldn't call Eric his protege. Tom Fitzgerald was one of the best show writers to ever be employed by WDI, and he was a writer when he and Eric worked together. Tom and Eric have been friends, but haven't worked together on a project since both became creative executives.
Like I said, Eric is one of the "good guys." He's extremely talented and absolutely does not play the political game. Because of that, he often gets the short end of the stick.
HMF
Well-Known Member
Agreed but he has also been one of the worst Creative Executives in WDI History.
Pixie VaVoom
Well-Known Member
I really hate to see that sort of thing happen, people being squeezed out. But it does happen at the 900 bed hospital system that I work for also.
Personally I think that it is a sign of the Corporate Times. Loyalty to employees is in the toilet and so the employees react accordingly - at this rate 'management' is even selling out our pensions, and our 401k's - while they plan their own next new vacation home or extra yacht!!
I believe the the new breed of management is short sighted. A valued employee may not be a 'yes man' to every bit of 'company line pablum' that is sent down, but they may prove invaluable on the next project...or even the next!! While I do not agree with behaving ugly, disruptively, or disrespectfully, these employees are kind of like the burst of lemon over a buttery mellow baked fish. It may not line up exactly with all the other ingredients, but it sure can enhance the overall experience!! just my opinion
He is and Jacobson is pretty horrible. Isn't he the one who redid alot of the Epcot pavillions to make them more "hip" and dumb them down? I think the only projects that Jacobson has done that were decent was the Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents refurbishments but those were small projects.
I'll be very honest. I spoke with Kathy M briefly at D23 back in '09 and she just gave off this vibe and attitude like she really didn't want to be there. It seemed like imagineering was just a job for her rather than being excited to build amazing rides or striving for perfection
Tower of Terror at WDW was some achievement.
Was Jacobsen the lead on that project or was he just one of many imagineers who worked on it? As I recall Eisner had another imagineer on his brief talk show back in '07 who was supposedly the guy who designed Tower of Terror. I'm sure Bob Weiss was involved as well (he was basically like Rhode is to DAK back in the 90s)
Eric was the Executive Designer on ToT, along with Tim Kirk as the Concept Designer, and writer Michael Sprout.
disneylandfan95
Member
disneylandfan95
Member
Like I said, Jacobson has gotten the short end of the stick more than couple times. Most of his "misses" were mandated by TDO and he did the best he could within their parameters. He and Bob Weis together created most of the original DHS and Eric led the design teams for both the Great Movie Ride and ToT.
Recently, he was sidelined by Vaughn when Kathy Mangum was given both Epoct and DHS. Vaughn and Mangum are close and because Jacobson refuses to play politics, it was easy to push him aside and give Mangum DHS and Epcot.
HMF
Well-Known Member
I honestly don't know, based on what I have seen Jacobson tends to be more hands off and lets the Show Producers run the Creative Development and basically just OK's whatever their vision is for better or worse. Wheras with people like Baxter and Rohde they tend to be hands on with all their projects and pay attention to the tiniest details and make sure that everything is consistent. That being said, I am not sure if I trust Mangum considering her Pre-Cars Land Track record especially in light of the revelation that Tom Morris more or less saved the project.
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HMF
Well-Known Member
And Jacobson's new job description basically has him reduced to theming safety railings. Bruce Vaughn's business decisions seem like slimy backstabbing maneuvers to try to force out the second generation Imagineers to me.
If Baxter didnt get any of his big projects approved I doubt he will either.
HMF
Well-Known Member
Agreed, Though Vaughn seems to be accelerating the process.
BlueSkyDriveBy
Well-Known Member
Yes, but... Sklar was pushing out second generation Imagineers he had personal grudges with. Ditto for Fitzgerald, who is a second generation Imagineer himself.
Vaughn, OTOH, is pushing out just about anyone who's a second generation Imagineer, period. Those with whom he has personal grudges or with whom his minions have personal grudges get the first boot. But in the end, they will all be gone.
Just like the rest of Corporate America, Disney prefers them very young and very cheap. Experience be damned.