A few years back, when it looked as if they were not going to be able to renew their distribution deal with PIXAR, Walt Disney Studios launched an initiative to produce computer animated films on their own, to the point of abandoning traditional, hand-drawn animation entirely. Many decried the decision for what it was- a wrongheaded belief that audiences made the PIXAR films hits because they were animated with computers, not on the strength of their storytelling. That all changed when Disney and PIXAR were finally able to come to terms in renewing their distribution deal, and PIXAR co-founder John Lasseter was installed as Disney’s Chief Creative Officer, where one of his first acts was to reinstate had drawn animated features to the Disney production schedule.
The first of those is The Princess And The Frog, from which we have a beautiful new picture below. (Click for a much bigger view.) Looking at it, I find it hard to imagine that someone thought that hand-drawn animation was an art form that should be abandoned. Then again, I don’t believe that person is still employed at Disney, so I guess things work out for the best, don’t they?
The Princess And The Frog opens this coming Christmas.
Via The Disney Blog.
