Glen Keane Resigns

[DizneyRox]

Surprised to not see this posted earlier.

Heres a copy of his resignation letter I grabbed from the Interwebs (cartoon brew website)


March 23, 2012

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Walt Disney Animation Studio,

After long and thoughtful consideration, I have decided to leave Disney Animation.

I am convinced that animation really is the ultimate art form of our time with endless new territories to explore. I can’t resist it’s siren call to step out and discover them.

Disney has been my artistic home since September 9,1974. I owe so much to those great animators who mentored me—Eric Larson, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston—as well as to the many other wonderful people at Disney whom I have been fortunate to work with in the past nearly 38 years.

Over these four decades I have seen so many changes, but the one thing that remains the same is that we all do this because we love it.

I am humbled and deeply honored to have worked side by side so many artists, producers and directors during my career here at Disney, and I am tremendously proud of the films which together we have created. I will deeply miss working with you.

With my most sincere and heartfelt good wishes for your and Disney’s continued artistic growth and success,

GlenShocked!

[shadowden]

Wow...!

[badkitty]

Oh, I hadn't heard. Bummer. Glen is an amazing animator. He brought life to my favorite dragon and my favorite mermaid. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does on his own.

[EeyoresBestFriend]

That is heartbreaking! Glen you will be missed.

I have always loved the 'old' style animation as opposed to CGI. To me that is true Disney and I was thrilled with The Princess and Frog, for just that reason.

It still breaks my heart to go through the Animation Studio in DHS and not see the Imagineers & Artists working in the studios.

That being said, I also understand that Walt was very cutting edge with his Vision and animation, and he may have tried CGI out, but I don't think he would have gone as completely as it has. IMO, I think Lasseter is the truest to Walt's vision these days.

[Ian]

I posted this on someone's FB page earlier, but it applies here as well ...

I'm pretty sure this is Glenn's way of saying, "You guys aren't cuttin' it anymore. Don't want my name associated with this dreck. Deuces."

[2Epcot]

It is sad to see Glen leave. Many years ago I interviewed him for a video I was producing. He was very kind and took the time to talk, even though he was very busy. I think if Disney was still making traditional style animated films he'd stay. Have to give a thanks to Glen for giving life to so many great characters over the years.

[Crow]

That is heartbreaking! Glen you will be missed.

I have always loved the 'old' style animation as opposed to CGI. To me that is true Disney and I was thrilled with The Princess and Frog, for just that reason.

It still breaks my heart to go through the Animation Studio in DHS and not see the Imagineers & Artists working in the studios.

That being said, I also understand that Walt was very cutting edge with his Vision and animation, and he may have tried CGI out, but I don't think he would have gone as completely as it has. IMO, I think Lasseter is the truest to Walt's vision these days.

yea I miss the animators working there too

[TinkerbellT421]

Something had to happen for after almost 40 years you just up and leave? That's strange. I have only been at my job for 7 years and even now I would have a had time leaving, and trust me it's not like I do anything worth while lol, I love my job, but I am not making a fortune and I am certainly not a stock brocker or anything, so something make me wonder. What would cause someone that has been at the same job for almost 40 years just up and resign? (I know the letter says he thought long and hard blah blah blah) But I would think after that much time invested in a career and job you love, what would have to happen for you to up and leave?

It definitely is a complete bummer he is leaving :(

[PeterPan]

It's a crying shame that most people here on Intercot don't even know who Glen is. It is a gut-wrenching tragedy that there is no place for him at the Disney Studios. He is a LEGEND, period.

[Melanie]

It's a crying shame that most people here on Intercot don't even know who Glen is.

Because not a lot of folks here have replied? I certainly know who Glen is....he's Aladdin, and the Beast, and Ariel and Pocahontas and Rapunzel. He's Bil Keane's son. I'm very sad. :(

[AgentC]

Because not a lot of folks here have replied? I certainly know who Glen is....he's Aladdin, and the Beast, and Ariel and Pocahontas and Rapunzel. He's Bil Keane's son. I'm very sad. :(

:ditto:

I haven't replied because I had nothing of value to add to the conversation. As a corporate world denizen, I know that sometimes corporate cultures change. Sometimes the wrong people stay and the wrong people leave and I have no idea how you fix that. :(

[MstngDrvnDsnyLvr]

It's a crying shame that most people here on Intercot don't even know who Glen is. It is a gut-wrenching tragedy that there is no place for him at the Disney Studios. He is a LEGEND, period.

We know who Glen Keane is - The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Tarzan - to name a few of his creations - but honestly, what is lamenting his retirement here going to do? Nothing. Is it sad to see him go, yes. But this is his personal decision and my posting WOES to his leaving here won't change that decision or the direction that Disney may be heading.

[DisneyKim22]

I posted this on someone's FB page earlier, but it applies here as well ...

I'm pretty sure this is Glenn's way of saying, "You guys aren't cuttin' it anymore. Don't want my name associated with this dreck. Deuces."

This was my exact thought as well!

[Ian]

It's a crying shame that most people here on Intercot don't even know who Glen is. It is a gut-wrenching tragedy that there is no place for him at the Disney Studios. He is a LEGEND, period.Why would you assume people "don't even know who he is?"

I know who he and, while I agree with you that it's a tragedy that a legend like him is leaving the company, I'm not sure why your post had to be preceded by that somewhat snarky comment.

[Scar]

Well, I'll admit that I never heard of him before. I remember Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, and PJ... but not Glen.

[MinnieMommie]

Well, I'll admit that I never heard of him before. I remember Billy, Dolly, Jeffy, and PJ... but not Glen.

LOL!

Thanks to the OP for letting s know about the resignation. 40 years is a long time to work anywhere. People resign (and retire) for a variety of reasons so it's all speculation. :mickey:

[DisneyOtaku]

This makes me sad :( But I think I remember hearing not too long ago that his contract was going to end soon and he wasn't sure about 1)if he would sign again or 2)he wasn't sure if they would ask him too.

A man with his talent won't be out of the business for long (if he's not flat-out retiring). He won't be with Disney, but I'm sure we will see his work soon.

[Mousemates]

It's a crying shame that most people here on Intercot don't even know who Glen is..

Nope...lots of us know who he is...and agree he is a master of his craft..but simply saw no compelling reason to post at the news of his resignation without further information as to his reasons for going.

[Mousemates]

I was going to tag this on the end of my last post, but my edit ability had already expired...but for those interested if you do a search on "50 most influential disney animators" you can find a pretty interesting read...Keane comes in at #7 from the writer's perspective.

[DizneyRox]

I think the surprise is a Disney Legend resigns with a carefully words resignation letter and doesn't even get a full page of comments, but rumors of possible plan to allow pre-ordering food drums up over 5 pages of opinion.

Strange ideed...

[Dixie Springs]

Weird news. Must be a people problem. He was a Disney 'lifer', doing what he loved. What do you do after this?

[DizneyRox]

Just ask all the Imagineers Disney has laid off in recent years what they did?