There's a really nice interview with DreamWorks Animation's Jeffrey Katzenberg over at Fast Company...
Say what you want about Katzenberg, but the man does deserve his share of credit for Disney's Second Golden Age. Not all, obviously but a fair amount. I've always been fascinated by the man. His ego is legend, but his ability to work with people and get things done is something I genuinely admire. His knack for getting things that others couldn't has created a cottage industry of folklore about him. Some true and some tall tales, but all entertaining. My favorite is the one where, when he was at Paramount under Eisner, they went to the airport to catch a flight. When they arrived at the gate, the plane was already moving out on to the runway. Eisner turned to Katzenberg and said: "Jeffrey, go stop that plan!" Katzenberg walked over to the flight attendant at the desk and made a few comments that resulted in a hushed, but heated debate. Finally, they saw the plane turn around and taxi back to the gate as Katzenberg walked back over to Eisner: Mission Accomplished.
I remember attending a Q&A with Katzenberg when he was head of Disney that he gave at USC's Film School. I asked him about the status of the new Tom Cruise film he was working on with John McTiernan known as "A Princess of Mars." Sound familiar? But I was impressed by his candor and accessibility. And I was surprised to see this Hollywood mogul drive away in an old 80's Mustang (he's moved up to a black Prius now). But he's an intriguing fellow and worthy of following.
Just like this article about him...
7 comments:
Tom Cruise as John Carter? Ha! Ha! Ha!
Katzenberg deserves a HELL of a lot of credit for Disney's Second Golden Age (or Silver Age, if you like). The day he departed was the day the Disney 2D animated feature began its slow descent into obscurity. Meanwhile, given free rein, Eisner began raping the Disney legacy with cheapquels and buying up trash properties like Power Rangers and Muppets. He alienated an ally and turned him into a rival, and the result was the serious competitor known as Dreamworks. Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda - all those are the type of homegrown powerhouses money can't buy. Iger's no better than Eisner in my opinion. I just about rolfed when I saw the goddamn MUPPETS advertising Disney World, instead of Mickey. Jeebus. It ain't Uncle Walt's company any more...
Iger is a lot different than Eisner...
He isn't meddling in any way in the animation department. Other than trying to revive it, which is why we can thank him for John Lasseter.
He may not be perfect, but he's far above what Eisner was the last decade he held sway at the Mouse.
But Katz does deserve his props...
You tell 'em, Honor.
However, you forget to defend the Muppets.
There is no defending the purchase of the Muppets. Would Walt buy other people's characters? Eh, no. The new admins at Disney do not follow Walt's example when it comes to ANYTHING. Disney has only one thing its competitors do not, and that is Walt's legacy - and yet the suits running the place are pretty much ignoring it even as they hype and exploit it. Shameful.
Actually some of the animation done in the 60's under Walt was purchased from outside sources.
Just because you don't like the Muppets doesn't mean millions of others can't like them. It also does nothing to betray Walt's legacy.
DCA? Now that betrays his legacy.
I'll take the Muppets anyday over Hannah Montana and High School Musical.
Thank you for shooting down Anonymouses 1 and 3.
Those Muppet-haters must DIE!!!
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