the princess and the frog & the art of walt disney.

Recently, I remembered a book at my Grannie and Papa's house, titled "The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms" (Christopher Finch, 1975), that I used to look through all the time as a kid. At the time I was only interested in Disney for the characters, the cartoons, and the photos of Disneyland. Today, my Grannie said I could have the book. Excited, and overwhelmed with a feeling of nostalgia, I looked through it, discovering layouts, background paintings, storyboard examples; along with a history of Disney, the shorts, the parks, and the features created up until the year the book was published. Many things that pertain much more to me now, which is interesting to reflect on. I never thought I would be where I am now, in a place where I could appreciate the art, effort, and craftsmanship that went into making the films I grew up with. Upon reading, I came across a concluding statement:

"...Just how much of a future there is for animated features depends on the extent to which younger artists can be attracted to a craft which demands a long and exacting apprenticeship"...

Finch's words read very true. Classical animation became a 'dying' art form, and it saddened me immensely to think that the very core of animation would be overcome by a computer. Although it seemed that by progressing to 3D, and utilizing the technology around us would make for an advantage, it became all too easy, and boundaries are never pushed when there is no longer a challenge presented. As much as I wanted to believe 2D would come back, I didn't know if it would... And if it did, when? The original art of classical was too easily dismissed for a new computer animation fad; were we forgetting that without classical, 3D would've never been invented?

Needless to say, that when word of "The Princess and the Frog" spread, it created an uproar of excitement and relief, that finally classical animation, with the help of Disney, would have a chance to thrive again. Coincidentally, today, the day I rediscovered this book, I also discovered the new trailer for "The Princess and the Frog."