Steve Hulett worked for Disney during what many refer to as the Pre-Renaissance Era—a time forever blighted in Disney histories by the departure of Don Bluth and the commercial failure of Black Cauldron. This was also when Disney's "Nine Old Men" were either on their way out, or had already left, meaning the core of Disney's animators and writers were now gone.
In an effort not to reveal any spoilers, I'll just say this would be both a very difficult and incredibly interesting time to be working in Disney's animation studios. It would be a stressful time, full of heartbreak, where Disney's best just didn't seem good enough, and their progress was overshadowed by the successes of rivals who had once been part of their team.
Steve Hulett has been releasing his memoir of these times in a long-format serial written for Cartoon Brew. Steve's articles are part of a new segment they've started called Untold Tales with Steve's being the first tale to be released. The first chapter of Hulett's "A Mouse in Transition" was released in May, and the most recent chapter (released yesterday, December 8, 2014) deals with the entrance of Mike and Frank, the two who rebuilt the house of mouse, only to have it fall like the House of Usher, divided between Katz(enberg) and mouse, though Hulett doesn't go into all that. He writes of his experiences in the early eighties, when Eisner and Wells were fresh from Paramount and Warner Bros., respectively.
Steve Hulett provides a unique opportunity to peer behind the curtain and see Disney through a writer's eyes. What's refreshing is that he is not overly cynical. Nor is he looking at Disney through rose colored lenses. His memoir appears to be an honest telling of the events as they unfolded, as the author saw them. If you're a fan of Disney history, I highly recommend giving this memoir a read. Also, poke around Cartoon Brew's site—there's some good stuff there.
Check out "A Mouse in Transition: Disney's Newest Hire" (Chapter 1)
In an effort not to reveal any spoilers, I'll just say this would be both a very difficult and incredibly interesting time to be working in Disney's animation studios. It would be a stressful time, full of heartbreak, where Disney's best just didn't seem good enough, and their progress was overshadowed by the successes of rivals who had once been part of their team.
Steve Hulett has been releasing his memoir of these times in a long-format serial written for Cartoon Brew. Steve's articles are part of a new segment they've started called Untold Tales with Steve's being the first tale to be released. The first chapter of Hulett's "A Mouse in Transition" was released in May, and the most recent chapter (released yesterday, December 8, 2014) deals with the entrance of Mike and Frank, the two who rebuilt the house of mouse, only to have it fall like the House of Usher, divided between Katz(enberg) and mouse, though Hulett doesn't go into all that. He writes of his experiences in the early eighties, when Eisner and Wells were fresh from Paramount and Warner Bros., respectively.
Steve Hulett provides a unique opportunity to peer behind the curtain and see Disney through a writer's eyes. What's refreshing is that he is not overly cynical. Nor is he looking at Disney through rose colored lenses. His memoir appears to be an honest telling of the events as they unfolded, as the author saw them. If you're a fan of Disney history, I highly recommend giving this memoir a read. Also, poke around Cartoon Brew's site—there's some good stuff there.
Check out "A Mouse in Transition: Disney's Newest Hire" (Chapter 1)
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