Bluth’s passion for the Art of Animation is the driving force that fueled his film career for a period of more than four decades. According to Bluth, he was not driven to animation but extremely attracted to it mainly because of the sheer beauty of its look. Don grew up on the early Disney films, Snow White, Bambi and Pinocchio. He was only four years old when these pictures inspired him. He knew immediately that someday, it would be part of his world. Bluth is considered by some critics to be unique in that he successfully challenged the powers of the ‘Mouse House,’ as a serious competitor, bringing to the silver screen such memorable milestones as The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, and Anastasia.’ All in all, Don and his partner, Gary Goldman, produced twelve animated features and three video games including, Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace.
If you were to pass Don while walking down the street, you might not even notice him. Certainly you’d never peg this slight-of-build-mild-mannered man as driven b a relentless pursuit of excellence in the arts. You’d get no hint of it from his dress, or his casual ‘hello.’ The Levi’s, Jockey T-shirts and runner boots are pretty standard for an ordinary Joe Blow, but invite him to talk on the subject of animation from the golden years, or talk about the pioneer of that movement, Walt Disney himself, and another creature, somewhat startling, will reveal itself. It’s like flicking a switch that illuminates a room. Here’s how he would describe it.
“As far back as I can remember, maybe as early as age four, I knew something fabulous was in my future, and was coming steadily towards me. I couldn’t give it a name at the time, but nevertheless, there was this undeniable feeling of anticipation. It was like the memory of a dream, only in reverse, if you know what I mean? I just assumed that everybody else had the same feelings, but when I asked my older brother, Bob, about his future from my lowly position on the bottom bunk, he snapped back, ‘ shut up and go to sleep; you’re an idiot and a dreamer,’ I liked the dreamer part. God bless the dreamers; without them nothing happens. I think Bob unintentionally paid me a complement.”
[Via Don Bluth University]
School Info
Type: Online
Program(s): Courses
Medium(s) Taught: Animation
Instructor(s): Don Bluth
Tuition: $10,000 per year
Financial Aid: N/A
Contact Info
Email: info@bluthuniversity.com
Website: http://www.donbluthuniversity.com
Phone: (480) 236-0850
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