I only have one question for Jerry Beck... are you still producing animation? Because if you are you shouldn't be reviewing animated series. I have also heard that you take a consultancy fee from Disney. If this is true, please either confirm or deny it. I find the idea of anyone working in animation publishing criticism on other animator's work to be highly suspicious. If, in fact, you no longer are producing a project for MTV and no longer take money from Disney then I apologize for suspecting you. However, if you are working in animation you should alert your readers of that fact so they can take your reviews in context... that of someone who may be biased against shows that could compete with your own product.

Jerry, welcome to the AWN team! It will be a joy to see your bright and cogent commentary in the cybermag, as well as an inspiration to those of us in the animation writing community.

Disney "starting" to go downhill? The previous review is just waking up to a trend that has happened over the past eight years or so. Ever since they made the big push into TV animation, the quality has been less than their established standard. I frankly could not see much difference in TV product such as DUCK TALES and TALESPIN as with the product of RUDY-SPEARS and HANNA-BARBERA at the time. The animation in the TV spin-offs of their successful features were not up to their standard either. And the feature animators who put their heart and sole into giving the characters life saw their efforts ruined in the TV reincarnations. Having been involved with animation production for 34 years, and in the Hollywood TV circle the past ten, I have seen a lot of the inner workings and can speak from my experience and observations that go beyond that of the armchair observer. In some instances, there have been some well ani-mated Disney TV series such as WINNIE THE POOH in 1988, and 101 DALMATIONS from three years ago. There have also been some forgotten series such as THE SNOOKUMS AND MEAT FUNNY CARTOON SHOW, which was elaborately animated to no avail. This Disney answer to REN AND STIMPY is now forgotten, and all concerned with it have gone elsewhere. Recent efforts like MOUSE WORKS made a valliant effort to recapture the orignal spirit, but suffered from a lack to time to properly develop story material and animate them with real feeling. There tends to be a quasi full animation attempt in these shows, that are beautifully drawn, but tend to move alike, many times too abruptly, lacking in subtleties and individual personality. Why should Minne move in such a quick, manner as Mickey? I would agree that programs such as RECESS are definately below the Disney standard. One would think that they came out of DIC, and considering that they owned DIC until recently, it would come as no wonder.As for the lack of creativity at Disney, it would seem that it is self-inflicted with the huge bureaucracy that has developed there that tends to seek success formulas over imagination and originality. At times, there have been misplaced people in positions of re-sponsibility who are more concerned with holding onto their pay checks than making revolutionary decisions. I was interviewed for a potential Director's postiion at Disney Interactive a few years ago. Having just done some freelance dircting on a POOH CD-ROM game, I was asked if I had worked for Disney before. I was then asked to show examples of my exposure sheets showing my written directions. When I produced them, showing my action descriptions, track breakdown, and lip assignment, I was asked, "Is this all?" They were expecting to see the numbers for the exposed drawings as well. Obviously, these gentlemen didn't have a clue as to what an Animation Director does, and they were tasked with deciding my fate. Needless to say, I was not hired, and I understand that this division went under. I have continued to work inside and outside of the main-stream, working on shoestring budgets, winning various awards over the past 28 years. It's interesting that others manage to see something in what I do, but it is unfortunate that the people at Disney did not. Perhaps this may partially answer the question.

Hey Jerry Thanks for the comment on Disney being not so original on new shows. Although this new show looks pretty sincere, (probably won't play out that way) I am sick and tired hearing about these shows that are based on kids! Kids that talk perfectly and happen to have a very P.C. group of friends and family. Then they just stand around and talk talk talk! I know to have talking characters is cheaper than actually animating them, but give me a break! Kids HATE watching shows about other kids, it's the parents who think they know what thier kids like! The parents are told what their kids should like and are "herded" by Disney and others into buying all the junk that's associated with them! Disney's going downhill pretty fast! We all know how Walt started the company with his intentions....it's unfortunate that nobody there (or practically anywhere) still carry those intentions. The development guys there are just these untalented schmucks who happened to fall into their postions, now we all have to suffer for their lack of creativity. They don't even know who their predecessors are! I've lost all hope for them when I saw "Recess" and "Lloyd in Space," what peices of unimaginative crap! Well I won't apologize for my sermon, but I am glad to see you part of the AWN group and look forward to reading your future articles. Regards, NMBC