I commend Floyd, and all of the other animators, for their perseverance in such a difficult industry. I have witnessed first hand the ups and downs of this industry. It really is a roller coaster of a ride.

However I have to disagree with his statement about managers. Most managers are not overpaid and they certainly don't plan on firing people. Making an animated movie is an extremely complicated process and it requires the contribution of everyone, from animators to managers, to make it happen. Management itself gets downsized as well. If there are less artists then there needs to be less management. Its easy for those getting laid off to rail at those making the decisions. Why me? Why not him? Why not you? Ultimately the failure of a studio never falls to just one person. Sometimes bad managers interfere with processes they don't understand. Sometimes the reins are handed to an incompetent director or producer. Sometimes an artist needs to recognize that they just aren't producing the same quality and output that other artists are.

The "survivor" that amazes me is Glenn Keene. How long has he had a steady gig? Hasn't he been at Disney since the late 70s, early 80s?

I look forward to Rapunzel!

Long live Glenn Keene!!

There's a real parable behind this.

The management acts like their short-term moneymaking schemes will be the new "permanent" policy of whatever studio they are ruining, regardless of how many people are driven away. That was the impression Disney was building in 2004. But after Michael Eisner's departure, a lot of these suits had the pendulum swung back into their faces, while the same crop of artists that they deemed disposable are now back where they belong.

Great story, although I found the picture of Floyd munching on Mickey a bit...disturbing. :P BTW, Floyd, what happened to your webpage? Last few times I tried to visit there, I could only see an error message...

Interesting story! Now that is TRUE SURVIVAL!