Animation Legend Dies, Creator of Disney's Story Department
by Alex Russel
alex.russel@computeranimationschoolreview.com
Computer Animation School Review Columnist
The world of animation lost one of its greatest pioneers. Joe Grant, one of Walt Disney's most talented artists and story men, whose career ran from the cartoon Mickey's Gala Premiere in 1933 to the Oscar-nominated short Lorenzo in 2004, died recently at his home in California from a heart attack while at his drawing table. He was 96.
Grant, who was working at the Disney studio the day before his death, was not an animator but a designer and story man - an artist who helped develop the plot and dialogue of animated films. For Snow White, Disney's first feature, Grant designed the Queen and the Wicked Witch.
Animation Pioneer
Any animation class will teach a thing or two about Joe Grant. He was a key figure in turning animation from a novelty of three-minute shorts to the feature length art form (and academy award category) it is today.
In 1933, when production on Snow White wrapped, Walt Disney famously turned to Grant and asked him what they were going to do for an encore. Grant's response changed Hollywood. With Disney's blessing, Grant began the Character Model Department; a place where animators, designers, and writers developed ideas for future films, many of which became classics.
Held Numerous Jobs During 70 Year Career
After working on Pinocchio in 1940, Grant helped select the music for Fantasia (1940) and led the story development for that landmark film. With his creative partner, Dick Huemer, he wrote Dumbo in 1941.
Grant left Disney in 1949 and persued other lines of business, but forty years later, the Disney animation department gave Grant a call. Could he help them out on the animated feature of Beauty And The Beast (1991)?
Veteran Schools Young Animators
Before long Grant was back at Disney full time, with a new generation of artists, contributing ideas to Aladdin (1992), The Lion King (1994), Pocahontas (1995) and Hercules (1997).
Grant also contributed to Pixar Animation Studios features and coined the title for Monsters, Inc. (2001). In the Los Angeles Times, Monsters director Peter Docter recalled: "Once when Joe and I were talking over some story concepts, he asked, 'What are you giving the audience to take home?' He meant, what part of the story will lodge in the audience's heart, that they'll remember for days or even years. I think about that every day, and I'll be thinking about him and his advice for a long, long time."
Will Be Taught In Animation Schools Forever
With his death, Grant rightfully becomes one of mythic figures of animation. Animation schools the world over will be celebrating the man as they carefully teach students everything he brought to this modern art form.
About the Author
Alex Russel is a freelance writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Since graduating from Syracuse University he has worked at many different media companies in fields as diverse as film, TV, advertising, and journalism. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and History.
Sources
Posted on August 13, 2005 at 08:21 PM
