Animated Life

The Reluctant Partnership

34

The Standoff

I've watched this battle for decades, and it won't be going away anytime soon.

I couldn't conclude this foray into the wonderful world of animation without a brief discussion of the testy relationship between art and commerce. Of course, this tension has always existed between creative and business departments. Each has its own agenda, and we travel the same path toward different goals. However, we needn't be adversaries, because—like it or not—we need each other.

I learned these valuable lessons when working for my own company many years ago. One of my films was in production and extensive editing was taking place. Lines of dialog and whole scenes were being cut. Naturally, as a filmmaker, ...