Learn from a master of his craft. On May 17, legendary Disney animator Floyd Norman will be visiting the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design for a free masterclass.
Floyd Norman, who has worked on classic Disney films such as "Sleeping Beauty," "101 Dalmatians," "The Sword in the Stone," and "The Jungle Book," is a Disney Legend. Norman was the first African-American staff animator in Disney history. The Disney animator, now 81 and back at Disney Studios, is the only living animator to have worked with Walt Disney. Norman had a hand in cartoons and comics such as "Fat Albert," "Scooby Doo," "Sesame Street," "The Smurfs," "Alvin & the Chipmunks," "Josie and the Pussycats," and many more. He has also been a part of Pixar productions, working on incredibly successful films like "Toy Story 2" and "Monsters, Inc." [caption id="attachment_15593" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
photo courtesy of Floyd Norman's IMDb page[/caption]
If you're itching to learn more about this legend, you're in luck! He will be hosting an event at the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design on Wednesday, May 17, at 10:30 a.m., giving audiences a peek at his long-lived career as an animator. You can register for the free event here!
Norman will share his tales and triumphs of over 60 years in the animated business with the audience, only to be followed by a screening of "An Animated Life" (a 2016 documentary about the Disney Legend) at the Alamo Drafthouse in Littleton at 7 p.m., with tickets starting at $8. The screening will also include a Q&A with Norman after the film. There is an age restriction: 18 and up; children six and up will only be allowed in with an adult.
"An Animated Life" contains some quietly agonizing scenes about how Norman was treated poorly by fellow Disney animators, as well as how he was forced to retire at age 65 despite seeing another animator continue to work well past that age. The documentary also dives into "no-holds-barred" thoughts on ageism and corporate culture and gives audiences a glance at the extraordinary life of Floyd Norman in close detail, his history with Disney dating back to 1956.
Norman even has his own blog, "MrFun's Journal," which he calls his "personal animation journal." It gives readers an inside look at the animator's art and experiences directly from the man himself.
You can view the trailer for "Floyd Norman: An Animated Life" below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkfgyR58MJo
Will you be meeting this Disney Legend? Are you excited about this incredible event and opportunity? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Featured image courtesy of Michael Fiore Films (Everett Collection).
