"Working Together"

January 2004

I would like to start out this commentary by commending everyone who chose to sign the petition to support Roy in a call for Michael Eisner's resignation. I was really overwhelmed by the amazing numbers of people who passionately support the work that Roy Disney and Stanley Gold have started. Even now, though I am currently on the east coast visiting relatives for the holidays, I am still getting many emails of support and earnest requests to be listed on the petition; emails from all over the world, from Disney shareholders, cast members and fans with families that all strongly call for a drastic change in management at The Walt Disney Company.

It is very interesting to speak with people here on the east coast, far away from the spin and hype of Hollywood, who are very upset with the direction that The Walt Disney Company has taken in the last 7 to 10 years. There is much talk amongst these people about the drop in quality and the loss of confidence in the "Disney" name in reaction to it's recent releases, both live action and animated, and PARTICULARLY the deplorable condition of the parks and the noticeably inferior direct to video and television animated product. This is the public speaking; the consumers whose hard earned dollar Mr. Eisner and his cronies have been shoving into his own pockets, in the form of unearned bonuses, for years.

Personally, I find it wonderfully refreshing to be talking to these people, far away from the influences of Hollywood. I enjoy hearing a good, honest assessment of what Disney's audience is feeling about Mr. Eisner's Disney. In fact, I am reminded of feelings I myself had many years ago when I was first starting at the Disney Studio way back in 1981.

I still remember those warm, Autumn days in Burbank, when I used to park my car down in the Riverside lot, (now home to the Eisner's monstrous "Animation" Building that is, ironically, now filled with managers and executives that far outnumber the meager handful of artists that have not been let go). From there, I would stroll up the back stairs next to the props building only to find myself dodging the many rolling costume racks as I walked down the rows of historic sound stages, once home to Mary Poppins, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Herbie The Love Bug or even Jack Webb's Dragnet series. On other days I might choose to take the scenic route past the Fort from Zorro, though Europe and its adjacent Frontier Western Street, then down rural Main Street USA, pausing only once to ponder the invention of "Flubber" in the now quiet and unassuming garage once owned by Fred McMurray, before I ducked into the back of the Ink and Paint building and over to F-Wing in the original Feature Animation building on Mickey Avenue and Dopey Drive.

I recall the wonderful feeling in those hallways some 20 years ago. A feeling of history and lineage and purpose that seemed to run through all of us at work on the latest Disney release at that time. I remember the strong feeling of camaraderie and belonging. The feeling of a small group of people, banding together and working to do something really wonderful, as a group, despite the odds, (Bringing drawings to life? Ridiculous!) We all "grew up" together, really. In fact, I recently went to an annual holiday gathering of animation folk, many I had not seen for years, There, we spent hours reminiscing and talking about what has happened and is continuing to happen to our beloved art form in the hands of these "soul-less" executives. At one point in the evening, a toast was made and someone in the crowd yelled out Eisner's name as the reason for so much downturn. The mere utterance of the name was greeted with resounding, (almost deafening) jeers followed by cheers for Roy and a warm rendition of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas."

It is exactly that feeling that I feel today in this rising movement to reclaim the dignity of the good Disney name; a coming together of like-minded people, like you, to achieve a greater good. Just like the character of John Doe, played by Gary Cooper in the classic holiday film, "Meet John Doe," we can beat these corporate entities, despite their plotting and scheming to keep their corrupt and misguided stance, though the help of ordinary people like you and me, speaking out and taking a stand for something we all love and truly believe in.

I wish each and every one of you bright and hopeful thoughts for a better new year.

Keep up the good fight! Shun Eisner's Disney until change is assured.

Dave Pruiksma