Nine And A Half Questions With Eric Goldberg

Will Ryan interviews Eric Goldberg regarding his non-influences and just who he considers animation's first, true pioneer.

By Will Ryan | Tuesday, March 12, 2002 at 12:00 am

Posted In | Columns: Ninehalf

Eric Goldberg is one of the top animators and animation directors in the world. He was lured from London to Disney's Southern California studio a decade or so ago, and became a major contributor to their animated feature division. Having recently eluded Disney's grasp, he is currently situated at Universal.

I caught up with Eric in the rumpus room of a former Eastern European embassy in the palmy hills of Glendale.

Will Ryan: When Fantasia/2000 was released, how many interviews did you give?

Eric Goldberg: I lost count.

WR: Dozens and dozens?

EG: Yes.

WR: More than a hundred?

EG: Possibly.

WR: And would you say you gave an equal number for Pocahontas and Aladdin?

EG: Yes. A bunch for Hercules, too. What actually gets printed depends on how the movie does. Everybody's perceptions, and things like that.

WR: Since you've done tons of these interviews, I hope you don't mind if we discuss terrain not too well trodden.

EG: Shoot.

WR: Was that an expletive or an imperative verb?

EG: It might have been an imperative sentence, actually.

WR: I shall take it as such, with an understood 'you' on the side.

EG: Which will make for an amiable interview.

WR: Amiable and brief, like a good cartoon.

EG: Definitely brief, we've only got 6 1/2 questions left.

WR: Really?

EG: Actually, 5 1/2 now. But who's counting?

WR: The editor.

EG: Oh.

WR: So, Eric, tell me: What are some of your major non-influences?

EG: My major non-influences? Oh gosh, there are so many.

WR: Let's limit it to animation. Is there some primitive animation you saw as a kid that just chased you away? Was there some insipid drivel that leapt out and yelled, 'This is not what you want to be doing with your life'? An example might be Pow Wow the Indian Boy...

EG: ...or Bucky and Pepito.

WR: Right!

EG: Funny enough, I actually had a voracious appetite for all of that kind of stuff ... including those shows. But I would say, in terms of later career choices, Courageous Cat wasn't high on the list.

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Comments

HI Eric, I don't suppose you remember me but I certainly remember you from our junior high school ,Heritage. I have held on to one of your drawings since the 7th or 8th grade KNOWING you would become a famous artist some day. It was a political poster for mock elections we were holding in school. I would love to send you a copy. Wishing you the best. Sincerely, Debbie Lizzio (Debbie Frank)