Ron Clements and John Musker discuss the return to 2D Animation in The Princess and the Frog

BlackTree TVs Jamaal Finkley, sits down with the Directors of this historic animation film, and talked about the mysterious road of an animator as well as the return to 2D animation in this new Disney classic.


JOHN MUSKER (Director) continues to be a major force in the art of animation and one of Disneys greatest resources. From The Little Mermaid and Aladdin to the epic comedy Hercules, his irreverent wit, strong visual style and unconventional approach to storytelling helped to create some of the most successful films in motion-picture history.


Born in Chicago, Ill., Musker first began drawing while in grammar school and knew by the age of 8 that he wanted to become an animator. Inspired by such Disney classics as Sleeping Beauty and Pinocchio, as well as Bob Thomas primer The Art of Animation, he developed a thorough understanding of the animation process. His fascination with comics, cartoons and Mad Magazine further stimulated his desire to draw.
At Loyola Academy, a Jesuit high school in Wilmette, Ill., Musker became a cartoonist for the school paper. His special brand of caricature, which included outrageous sketches of teachers and school celebrities, quickly caught on. This preoccupation with caricature and cartooning continued throughout his college years at Northwestern University, where he majored in English and drew cartoons for The Daily Northwestern.
Following graduation from college in 1974, Musker put together a portfolio and set out for California to pursue a career as an animator. Initially rejected by Disney, he enrolled at the California Institute of the Arts the following year to master his craft.
After completing his first year, which included a summer internship at the Disney Studio, he was offered a full-time job as an animator. This time Musker turned it down, opting instead to complete the second year of his training.
In 1977, Musker started work at Disney, where his two training tests were enthusiastically received and he began as an assistant animator on The Small One. He also animated on The Fox and the Hound and did story work on The Black Cauldron.
Musker and Clements joined creative forces in 1983 to write The Great Mouse Detective and went on to co-direct the film along with Burny Mattinson and Dave Michener. This successful collaboration led to a reteaming on The Little Mermaid, the award-winning film that helped to revitalize feature animation at Disney and generate new excitement for the genre as a whole. Since then, Musker and Clements have co-written and co-directed two of the funniest and most memorable animated features ever, Aladdin and Hercules. Their next project was the Disney animated feature Treasure Planet, a swashbuckling intergalactic adventure based on the classic novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Of his successful partnership with Ron Clements, Musker says, Were both relatively agreeable Midwestern types, and we each have slightly different strengths and approaches. Ron is more structure-oriented and makes sure that the overall story doesnt disintegrate during the course of too many rewrites. I tend to be more concerned with specific details and gags. We constantly go over each others scenes and drafts and add new ideas and suggestions in the process.
Musker and his wife, Gale, whom he met at Disney, have three children (including twins). They live in La Cañada, Calif.

RON CLEMENTS (Director) has emerged as one of the top talents in the field of animation today, and his gentle humor, visual integrity and strong story sensibilities have helped to attract a wider audience than ever before to animated feature films. Along with his directing partner, John Musker, Clements has dedicated himself to expanding the Disney legacy and taking the art of animation in exciting new directions.

A BlackTree Media Production

Footage provided courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

On Camera Jamaal Finkley


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[nielsboex]

It's good to see they're making a 2D movie for a change.

[PumpkinPie89]

Futhermore, you need to chill. Stop worrying about second comings and failed attempts to revive 2D animation. If you thought the movie was good, that's all that matters. Have a good day! :)

[MagicEmperor]

I met John Musker. He really did not care about meeting me (he was very aloof), but it was still awesome to meet an idol.

[Fargosis16]

@mattjnor98 dont tell me u missed the handdrawn movies, they were speceil, Pixar owns title of greatest 3d movies, but Disney once owned greatest movies, they dropped that after thinking they could make any movie and it would win

[mattjnor98]

@Fargosis16 Why should Disney sell Pixar? They changed Disney for the better.

[mattjnor98]

Disney should do a hand-drawn movie with Mickey Mouse to celebrate his 85th birthday, or at least a new cartoon short.

[zitalee2]

i need some information, how long does it take to traditionally animate but digitally color an episode of an animated series?

[GermanianBystander]

Mr. Fenner and Mr. Fenner

... coincidence? I think not.

[Kittyrebeccalai]

Were the people who sold the house to Tiana based on these two directors? They really look like them :)

[Fargosis16]

SELL PIXAR TO SOMEONE ELSE!!!!!! LET DREAMWORKS DO 3D U GUYS GO DO 2D

[CryptonEncryption]

These guys are my fricken IDOLS OMG. I want to work for Disney Animation one day.. Pixar Animation.. don't care as long as I get to work for one of the greatest companies in the universe.

[CryptonEncryption]

@Rasenth the DVD sucks.. the BluRay has all the good behind the scenes