Glen Keane resigns from Disney Animation

[bluetoast]

After 37 years at Disney, Glen Keane resigned on Friday. Reasons are unclear, but like others have said, this is pretty big news, he was definitely a big force there.

Resignation Letter:

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, Glen

[troystiffler]

That's a long time to work at one place. Good for him.

[TomOpus]

Wow, wonder what he'll do? Not much call for "old school" animators anymore.

I enjoyed seeing him talk animation on a lot of the Disney DVD/Blu-ray extras.

[bluetoast]

Speaking of the length of time at Disney, Cartoon Brew has put together this list of longevity at Disney. Of course a number of the nine old men top the list, but damn, some of those numbers are unreal.

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/how-long-is-37-years-at-disney.html

[Solid Snake PAC]

"I can’t resist it’s siren call to step out and discover them."

Sounds like he's going to do his own thing. Good luck to him. I'd hate to see talent disappear. I'd very much would like to know the exact why.

[Dr. DVD]

I hope this wasn't anything to do with John Carter. I know Pixar, which is part of the animation division (last I checked) did the FX work, but it was not an animated movie. It's like firing the head of an auto-plant because someone didn't know how to drive their vehicle.

[bluetoast]

I doubt it has anything to do with John Carter....but yeah I do hope to see more from him soon. Although if he did have to leave, then Tangled was a definite high note.