It is difficult to imagine a time when Disney Animation stood on the precipice of decline.
A disastrous fate seemed all but sealed.
The animator in question?Don Bluth.
He was responsible for the drawings that came between keyframes in Lounsberys animation.
Bluth soon grew frustrated at Disney.
He lamented that the process of making an animated film mystified him.
Image via Disney
We could only do individual scenes.
Thomas responded, You know, no one ever wrote that down.
To that, Bluth recollected, I was just astounded.
Image via Don Bluth Productions
In response to this, Bluth doubled down on his study of animation production.
It started as a small filmmaking project in the garage of his home in Culver City.
The first iteration wasThe Piper, a short animation based on a limerick written by Bluths brother Toby.
Image via Walt Disney Productions
In his pursuit of cinematic knowledge, Bluth enlisted other Disney animators to learn with him.
These animators became known as Bluthies, converts to Bluths philosophy of animation.
Among them were many of the studios women animators, seeking a rare opportunity to learn about production.
As the Bluthies grew in number, so too did their detractors.
Others at the studio were equally dubious.
Larson also spearheaded a Talent Development Program at Disney.
Image via Universal Pictures
The Small Onetells the story of a young boy who reluctantly parts with his treasured old donkey.
The sale of this donkey ultimately plays into the story of the birth of Jesus.
Larson prepared to direct and began working with the young trainees on the short film.
Then there was a coup detat over the weekend, CalArts alumJohn Muskerdescribed.
Larson was no longer in charge, and he was being replaced by Bluth.
Mattinson added, Eric was almost in tears.
What a dilemma for me, Bluth stated in retrospect.
A memo was sent to them which requested a character animation sample that would display an emotion.
Whichever emotion you select should be played honestly go for sincerity or believability the memo read.
Dont camp or ham it up.
The assignment is not for corn, but honesty in acting.
The factions were set.
The CalArts group was driven by humor and personality, and Bluthies were focused on technical style.
To the CalArts group, this took away all the creativity of their work.
Ultimately, Bluths goal for the studio was to return to the classic Disney repertoire.
He claimed that he was desperate for his artists to come up to the quality we needed.
This disconnect led another of the CalArts alumniBill Kroyerto speak directly to Disney CEO Ron Miller.
He expressed concerns about the direction the studio was going.
Kroyer set up a screening for Miller introducing him to other styles of animation from outside the Disney company.
When Bluth found out, he was livid.
After Kroyer went to Miller, Bluth came down to see them.
When they asked to collaborate more, Bluth doubled down.
He basically said, The studios built on a system of kings and serfs.
He refocused his effort on his garage projectBanjo the Woodpile Cat.
He even attempted to get Miller to back the project, but the studio head turned him down.
By that time I knew that I was going to leave the Disney Studio, Bluth said.
Just weeks before this call, Ken Anderson had brought a book to my office calledMrs.
Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, Bluth said.
After showing investorsBanjo the Woodpile Cat, they officially secured the funding.
Were not asking you to leave, but you are welcome if you want to come with us.
On September 13, 1979, Bluths 42nd birthday, he officially resigned from Disney.
Goldmanrecalled, 11 more artists resigned the following day and three more came aboard the following January.
As Mattinson remembered, [Bluth] had set it up with all these different animation people.
Well, they walked out, but they didnt cripple the studio.
As a result, the films release was pushed back six months from Christmas 1980 to summer 1981.
Over at the Bluth studio,Mrs.
The bad blood between the Bluthies and Disney still persisted through the years.
Miller was a University of Southern California football player.
Bluth said his intention was not to hurt Disney when he left the studio.
As Eric Larson said in response to his departure.
I welcome the competition.
Its what we need.
