Great story Jim.

I love Deja's work, and I do prefer traditional animation. Although, I do think computer animation has it's place.

In any case, I do hope Andreas is involved in the "Frog Princess".

And, that's a great scetch of his, btw.

*Sketch*

LOL, sorry bout thath, I've had a very Looooooooong day.

<em>Deja knew the real Legends.</em>

I think the second blooming of Disney animation: B & B, Alladin, LK, Tarzan, Lilo and Stitch compare pretty well with the Disney classics, certainly well enough for Deja to be considered a "real" legend.

Jim, this is why your site rocks so much. Where else can you read such great articles about living Disney legends? I'm so glad Mr. Deja is involved with Disney's traditional animation renaissance. I love CGI as well as I love 2D, but after a glut of the former at movie theatres for the last few years, I am so eager to see some beautifully rendered 2D animation done in the Disney style. And I'd bet big bucks there are milliions of viewers out there who feel the same way. The trouble with CGI is that for the most part *it all looks the same*. Computers, no matter who manipulates them and which studio employs them, use the same techniques and have generally the same skill levels, unlike humans, and so many CGI features have the same static look. (True, Pixar, in the grand old Disney tradition, "plusses" its CGI so that it's the best there is - but it's still got that same visual look at its roots). But a colorful, lush, traditionally-animated Disney movie - films like "Lady and the Tramp" and "The Lion King" - has its own signature look that no computer can duplicate. I'm eagerly awaiting the first films coming out of this renaissance.

But I *still* think "The Princess and the Frog" is a terrible title! Disney should go back to the original title "The Frog Princess" IMO.

I met Andreas on Lilo and Stitch, and he's just a nice guy.  Which is great.

Great article and fantastic quote! I miss 2D and I'm glad there are people who fought for its survival.

Well, Deja's "follow you gut" advice takes a load off.

We're lucky to have a modern-day animator who's committed to keeping the original Disney spirit alive.

Oh, why do I have to live on the other end of the country? I wish animators would record lectures for the rest of us or something... I'd buy 'em up like hotcakes (but I wouldn't eat them).

Yeah, Lilo is a "muppet!" I hadn't thought of how hard that would make things till now...

On the subject of Lilo,

I do remember one part of the original movie where Lilo tries to speak to Mr. Bubbles. All she does is open her mouth, then close it, before moving on to her first sentence. That did seem kinda like a "muppet" when you look at it.

great article. eep up teh good work!

I was at this event last night. Andreas is amazing and I especially admire him for not selling out to CG. As long as we've got animators like him still working, there's hope yet for traditional animation.

The generation of Disney animators that came along in the late 70's/ early 80's have produced a great many top flight talents, no question. However, I have a particular admiration for both Andreas Deja and Dave Pruiksma, as these two animation greats were outspokenly critical of management's foolheaded decision to shut down traditional animation. They never threw in the towel to switch to CG, but instead kept believing that the artform that Walt Disney built his legacy on would oneday return to  it's rightful place at the Studio. A big thank you is due to both of these gentlemen.

I've been wanting to contact Mr. Deja for some time.  I have some of his original artwork he created for the old Storyboard Magazine.  I think he is one of the best animators out there (along with Glen Keane).

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