It's a difficult choice. On one hand, outing people is bad. On the other hand, when you're in an alliance with likes of Falwell and the like, it does feel like a 'fuck around, find out' kind of thing. OTOH, Henson doing the outing would just undermine his own position, so best to leave it to some less scrupulous figure.
When you Wish Upon a Frog (Book II of the Jim Henson at Disney saga)
- Thread starter Geekhis Khan
- Start date
Honestly, I don't think the Good Shepherds are going to buy Jim's resignation as Chairman because he still has stocks and he's the CCO, with the latter being ESPECIALLY important. As long as he calls the shots for Animation, Imagineering, Cinema, etc. Falwell and the others will never let Disney off the hook considering they see him as the main corruptive influence towards Walt Disney Entertainment.
Suppose we’ll find out tomorrow, with any luck.
I think if that happens we’ll see faultlines between them and Peltz.
I love how the focus of the last few updates specific to Henson is a focus upon the divide between the man who made the Muppets and the Chairman of Disney, how he has been changing and adapting, and so the choice of outing this man (Hypocrite though he may be, I feel like I'd have to decline) seems to be indicating that Henson will take the lower road.. That the tough choice will be made.
And so it is. But only fools think that cruelty can be the 'only' tough option open to a man.
Anyway, I'll back everyone by pointing out that Henson's retirement is probably going to kick something off between the Shepherds. And who the hell gets to be the Chairman now? Controversy isn't going anyway any time soon.
And so it is. But only fools think that cruelty can be the 'only' tough option open to a man.
Anyway, I'll back everyone by pointing out that Henson's retirement is probably going to kick something off between the Shepherds. And who the hell gets to be the Chairman now? Controversy isn't going anyway any time soon.
The Board Decides
Chapter 4: Henson’s Dilemma (Cont’d)
From Dis-War Two: The Great Disney Proxy Culture War of 1998, by Taylor Johnson
Jim Henson’s announced retirement plans hit the board like a tornado. Some were outraged, others subtly impressed. Henson recommended Roy Disney as his successor as Chairman and “face of the company” while recommending Diane Disney Miller as Vice Chair.
Almost immediately Disney Miller made a point of order that Henson didn’t get to make that decision himself. The Board of Directors had a say in the matter. They would all meet back the next day where the board would debate Henson’s offer to resign. Henson, she said, should take the day off and meet with his family.
On August 10th, Jim Henson and his children all took the day off and sailed to Catalina Island. Strangely, Henson was at peace. He’d accept either path. If they accepted his resignation, he’d retire to New Mexico and find and purchase that hilltop that so intrigued him. Perhaps he’d turn it into a puppetry retreat. If they rejected his offer, he’d stay and help them come to terms with the challenges of the Good Shepherd Group. Either way, that could wait, and he strove to stay in the moment and enjoy the ocean spray and beaches of Catalina and most of all the company of his family for the day.
Tomorrow could wait.
On August 11th, Jim Henson returned to the board. Acting Chairman Roy Disney announced the decision of the board: Jim Henson’s offer to step down for the Chair of the Disney Board of Directors was rejected on a unanimous vote, with Bob Wright of GE at first planning on abstaining, but convinced ultimately to support the vote since any sign of dissention would only embolden the Shepherds. A cheer went through the room, though GE’s near-abstention gave the moment an ominous undercurrent.
“Okay, then,” he said, taking up the Chair again, mind still abuzz. “Well then, Unfinished Business is The Shepherds, needless to say.”
The board agreed to continue the Stock Buyback while Henson, both sides of the Disney family, Apple, Lucasfilm, and Amblin agreed to support it with their own funds, buying stocks up directly. Marriott and Bass declared their support for Henson, but would not be participating in stock buys at this time. GE again declared their commitment to “the best interests of their shareholders,” which combined with the near-abstention amounted to a declaration of neutrality and intent to stay on the sidelines.
But this façade of unanimity in support belied major structural weaknesses in the coalition. GE was already entertaining back-channel discussions with Peltz, agreeing to “consider their options” at the table. Bass was under growing pressure from his family and the board to consider making common cause with Peltz, if only on issues “of direct interest to Bass Brothers.” And most alarmingly, representatives from Peltz had been talking with both sides of the Disney family, and making it apparent to each that they were entertaining offers from the other side in a strategy intended to fan the flames of distrust between the two sides.
In August a “deconfliction” lunch meeting between Stanley Gold and a Retlaw representative broke down when Gold, irritated at the tone of the Retlaw rep’s voice, pelted him with a maraschino cherry, causing the rep to storm out, his lunch left unfinished. Henson tried to organize a peacemaking meeting, but neither side was prepared to speak directly with the other after the incident.
Henson, at the Legal Weasel’s recommendation, tried to contact the Shepherds directly, but was ignored. He tried to call Turner directly, but got the runaround. There would be no side deals or background negotiations. After a brief talk with Roger Stone, whom he thenceforth referred to derogatorily as “The Penguin”, Henson came to understand that he was dealing with people who lived in a fundamentally different universe than he did, a hard thing for a man who believed in “One Human Family” to accept. He authorized some attempts to find and make deals with individual investors, though the opaque charter of the Good Shepherd Group kept most of them hidden.
As much as the “invasion” metaphor struck against his core pacifistic beliefs, he regretfully accepted that he, and indeed Roy’s whole “Dream” philosophy, were under siege.
By the middle of the month, The Shepherds had amassed over 7.5% of the shares and climbing. Turner appeared to be sitting on his now-5.2%. Disney had bought back some stock directly and Henson, the Disneys, Apple, Amblin, and Lucasfilm had all increased their personal stake. It seemed likely that The Shepherds and Turner would together accumulate a minimum 13% before the remaining circulating shares were claimed.
Even if all of the Knights Errant and GE sided with Turner and the Shepherds, there was no chance of an overt takeover unless one of the Disneys joined the Shepherds.
But the likelihood of an ugly and prolonged Proxy Battle with Henson in the middle loomed large.
Stocks at a Glance: Walt Disney Entertainment (DIS)
August 14th, 1998
Stock price: $107.72
Major Shareholders: Henson family (19.4%), Roy E. Disney family (12.9%), Disney-Miller family (12.9%), General Electric (10.6%), Bass Brothers (8.8%), Bill Marriott (5.8%), Amblin Entertainment (1.3%), Apple Comp. (0.7%), Lucasfilm Ltd. (0.7%), Suspected “Knights Errant” (4.9%), Shepherd Group (7.8%), Columbia Entertainment (5.2%), Other (8.3%; ~8% Institutional Investors)
Outstanding shares: 498.6 million
From Dis-War Two: The Great Disney Proxy Culture War of 1998, by Taylor Johnson
Jim Henson’s announced retirement plans hit the board like a tornado. Some were outraged, others subtly impressed. Henson recommended Roy Disney as his successor as Chairman and “face of the company” while recommending Diane Disney Miller as Vice Chair.
Almost immediately Disney Miller made a point of order that Henson didn’t get to make that decision himself. The Board of Directors had a say in the matter. They would all meet back the next day where the board would debate Henson’s offer to resign. Henson, she said, should take the day off and meet with his family.
On August 10th, Jim Henson and his children all took the day off and sailed to Catalina Island. Strangely, Henson was at peace. He’d accept either path. If they accepted his resignation, he’d retire to New Mexico and find and purchase that hilltop that so intrigued him. Perhaps he’d turn it into a puppetry retreat. If they rejected his offer, he’d stay and help them come to terms with the challenges of the Good Shepherd Group. Either way, that could wait, and he strove to stay in the moment and enjoy the ocean spray and beaches of Catalina and most of all the company of his family for the day.
Tomorrow could wait.
On August 11th, Jim Henson returned to the board. Acting Chairman Roy Disney announced the decision of the board: Jim Henson’s offer to step down for the Chair of the Disney Board of Directors was rejected on a unanimous vote, with Bob Wright of GE at first planning on abstaining, but convinced ultimately to support the vote since any sign of dissention would only embolden the Shepherds. A cheer went through the room, though GE’s near-abstention gave the moment an ominous undercurrent.
“Okay, then,” he said, taking up the Chair again, mind still abuzz. “Well then, Unfinished Business is The Shepherds, needless to say.”
The board agreed to continue the Stock Buyback while Henson, both sides of the Disney family, Apple, Lucasfilm, and Amblin agreed to support it with their own funds, buying stocks up directly. Marriott and Bass declared their support for Henson, but would not be participating in stock buys at this time. GE again declared their commitment to “the best interests of their shareholders,” which combined with the near-abstention amounted to a declaration of neutrality and intent to stay on the sidelines.
But this façade of unanimity in support belied major structural weaknesses in the coalition. GE was already entertaining back-channel discussions with Peltz, agreeing to “consider their options” at the table. Bass was under growing pressure from his family and the board to consider making common cause with Peltz, if only on issues “of direct interest to Bass Brothers.” And most alarmingly, representatives from Peltz had been talking with both sides of the Disney family, and making it apparent to each that they were entertaining offers from the other side in a strategy intended to fan the flames of distrust between the two sides.
In August a “deconfliction” lunch meeting between Stanley Gold and a Retlaw representative broke down when Gold, irritated at the tone of the Retlaw rep’s voice, pelted him with a maraschino cherry, causing the rep to storm out, his lunch left unfinished. Henson tried to organize a peacemaking meeting, but neither side was prepared to speak directly with the other after the incident.
Henson, at the Legal Weasel’s recommendation, tried to contact the Shepherds directly, but was ignored. He tried to call Turner directly, but got the runaround. There would be no side deals or background negotiations. After a brief talk with Roger Stone, whom he thenceforth referred to derogatorily as “The Penguin”, Henson came to understand that he was dealing with people who lived in a fundamentally different universe than he did, a hard thing for a man who believed in “One Human Family” to accept. He authorized some attempts to find and make deals with individual investors, though the opaque charter of the Good Shepherd Group kept most of them hidden.
As much as the “invasion” metaphor struck against his core pacifistic beliefs, he regretfully accepted that he, and indeed Roy’s whole “Dream” philosophy, were under siege.
By the middle of the month, The Shepherds had amassed over 7.5% of the shares and climbing. Turner appeared to be sitting on his now-5.2%. Disney had bought back some stock directly and Henson, the Disneys, Apple, Amblin, and Lucasfilm had all increased their personal stake. It seemed likely that The Shepherds and Turner would together accumulate a minimum 13% before the remaining circulating shares were claimed.
Even if all of the Knights Errant and GE sided with Turner and the Shepherds, there was no chance of an overt takeover unless one of the Disneys joined the Shepherds.
But the likelihood of an ugly and prolonged Proxy Battle with Henson in the middle loomed large.
Stocks at a Glance: Walt Disney Entertainment (DIS)
August 14th, 1998
Stock price: $107.72
Major Shareholders: Henson family (19.4%), Roy E. Disney family (12.9%), Disney-Miller family (12.9%), General Electric (10.6%), Bass Brothers (8.8%), Bill Marriott (5.8%), Amblin Entertainment (1.3%), Apple Comp. (0.7%), Lucasfilm Ltd. (0.7%), Suspected “Knights Errant” (4.9%), Shepherd Group (7.8%), Columbia Entertainment (5.2%), Other (8.3%; ~8% Institutional Investors)
Outstanding shares: 498.6 million
Okay, this is interesting -- the Shepherds still might manage to turn one side of the Disney family against the other, but they've made it quite clear that they all back Jim. And while I don't think Peltz or Turner would have much of a problem with a strategy that gave them a say but kept Jim in place, Falswell is definitely under the impression that the primary goal here is unseating this Wiccan hippie weirdo.
Called it! The game's not over yet!
I think, pragmatically, Peltz and Turner can be dealt with.
The Columbia board view Turner's little plan as folly - if Turner oversteps (or Jim and Disney give them a better offer) and they seek to remove him, that's him out of the game. And Peltz will probably back off if it looks like he's going to lose - basically, if Turner's out.
Falwell is going to be the issue... but without his backers, he's not much of a threat.
I think, pragmatically, Peltz and Turner can be dealt with.
The Columbia board view Turner's little plan as folly - if Turner oversteps (or Jim and Disney give them a better offer) and they seek to remove him, that's him out of the game. And Peltz will probably back off if it looks like he's going to lose - basically, if Turner's out.
Falwell is going to be the issue... but without his backers, he's not much of a threat.
I'm in general agreement. What I'm wondering is which/how many of the Shepherds have bet the farm on this scheme and risk bankruptcy if it fails, a case where a failed coup could be more interesting than a successful one.
Falwell considers himself a Crusader for the Lord, but will he end up emulating the 1st Crusade, or the 2nd (or will he set his own allies on fire to emulate the 4th)?
And so the saga continues...
I hope the Cliffhanger didn't make anyone too upset or nervous. When I realized that Jim might be willing to take one for the team, I figured that he would consider just retiring, but I also knew that the board of directors would have the final say as it were.
Now the question is, did all the directors support Jim, or are they just not wanting to encourage the Shepherds? Many, many tactical and strategic considerations here.
Things come to a head very soon. Stay tuned!
I hope the Cliffhanger didn't make anyone too upset or nervous. When I realized that Jim might be willing to take one for the team, I figured that he would consider just retiring, but I also knew that the board of directors would have the final say as it were.
Now the question is, did all the directors support Jim, or are they just not wanting to encourage the Shepherds? Many, many tactical and strategic considerations here.
Things come to a head very soon. Stay tuned!
Ah.
I thought that this was "the dark before the dawn", but it seems that that's not on the cards yet...
Fingers crossed, @Geekhis Khan.
"The Buddha of Sunset Strip." - this seems like the sort of movie ITTL and OTL me would watch a long time later and go 'oh ok' and not really 'get' it.
"a Deconstructive Film Noir Western Stoner Comedy" - someone was shooting for hitting all the genres then?
"building ever more complex bongs in his shop," - wonder what he sells? Bongs?
"Many news reports will tell you that he’s based on John Henson, the “real” Buddha of the Strip," - nice that John's work is noted I guess?
"when a dying gangster (Tupac Shakur) stumbles into The Dude’s drum making shop on the Sunset Strip," - ah he makes drums.
"a host of epic needle drops from psychedelic rock to country & western ballads" - bet that was/is a bizarre soundtrack album.
"The “crap” song is the precursor to a top ten hit by a mainstream rapper and critical evidence in a plagiarism case, not that it matters. The handwritten label even says “Trax by DJ Mack Guff-N”. - wonder if it was released as a single for the movie?
"this film has even given some a true spiritual, even religious experience, leading to the rise of Dudism, a recognized faith with hundreds of thousands of followers" - Wow...
"while also putting them to work on whatever charitable cause he’s supporting at the time." - don't waste idle hands heh John?
"like so many Surrealisté works, went “cult” (some say literally)" - indeed so!
Well that was a trip of a chapter @Geekhis Khan
"a Deconstructive Film Noir Western Stoner Comedy" - someone was shooting for hitting all the genres then?
"building ever more complex bongs in his shop," - wonder what he sells? Bongs?
"Many news reports will tell you that he’s based on John Henson, the “real” Buddha of the Strip," - nice that John's work is noted I guess?
"when a dying gangster (Tupac Shakur) stumbles into The Dude’s drum making shop on the Sunset Strip," - ah he makes drums.
"a host of epic needle drops from psychedelic rock to country & western ballads" - bet that was/is a bizarre soundtrack album.
"The “crap” song is the precursor to a top ten hit by a mainstream rapper and critical evidence in a plagiarism case, not that it matters. The handwritten label even says “Trax by DJ Mack Guff-N”. - wonder if it was released as a single for the movie?
"this film has even given some a true spiritual, even religious experience, leading to the rise of Dudism, a recognized faith with hundreds of thousands of followers" - Wow...
"while also putting them to work on whatever charitable cause he’s supporting at the time." - don't waste idle hands heh John?
"like so many Surrealisté works, went “cult” (some say literally)" - indeed so!
Well that was a trip of a chapter @Geekhis Khan
"The Wall Street Journal today launched an eponymous cable news network in collaboration with Time Atlantic." - cable subcription channel I'd imagine. So, probably one one of Sky TV's higher paid packages in the UK.
"As such, there will be less of a progressive news backlash such that MSNBC and other more flagrantly partisan leftist news sources will not spin up and CNN and other arguably “small-l liberal” news sources will not be pulled further left." - that sounds like a whole tank of Butterflies right there.
"News Radio, underground newspapers, websites, and other non-mainstream sources will, of course, persist on the edges." - seems part of this Timeline that we have less partisanship on the airwaves which is a good thing to me.
I suspect UK news outlets like ITV News and even the BBC will copy less of the style cues of the American channels ITTL.
"in last year's legislative election's the Institutional Revolutionary Party did not get a majority" - big changes going on in Mexico then.
"The immigration reforms will remove by-nation quotas and increase the availability and simplicity of educational and temporary worker visas," - sounds like a good package of measures to help people become citizens legally.
“There’s something in there for everyone to love and hate,” said Post analyst" - so fairly standard piece of political compromise then!
"Ukraine today announced an agreement-in-principal for a “regional trade arrangement” with the Central European Free Trade Agreement" - one hopes the USR holds together.
"While the arms production and sales continue to prop up the post-Soviet economy, even despite the losses to corruption and theft, international calls to cease and desist are growing." -well that are the international community going to do for the USR to raise funds for them, and thus drop weapon production?
Interesting chapter of changes there @Geekhis Khan - going to be fun to read where some of this goes!
"As such, there will be less of a progressive news backlash such that MSNBC and other more flagrantly partisan leftist news sources will not spin up and CNN and other arguably “small-l liberal” news sources will not be pulled further left." - that sounds like a whole tank of Butterflies right there.
"News Radio, underground newspapers, websites, and other non-mainstream sources will, of course, persist on the edges." - seems part of this Timeline that we have less partisanship on the airwaves which is a good thing to me.
I suspect UK news outlets like ITV News and even the BBC will copy less of the style cues of the American channels ITTL.
"in last year's legislative election's the Institutional Revolutionary Party did not get a majority" - big changes going on in Mexico then.
"The immigration reforms will remove by-nation quotas and increase the availability and simplicity of educational and temporary worker visas," - sounds like a good package of measures to help people become citizens legally.
“There’s something in there for everyone to love and hate,” said Post analyst" - so fairly standard piece of political compromise then!
"Ukraine today announced an agreement-in-principal for a “regional trade arrangement” with the Central European Free Trade Agreement" - one hopes the USR holds together.
"While the arms production and sales continue to prop up the post-Soviet economy, even despite the losses to corruption and theft, international calls to cease and desist are growing." -well that are the international community going to do for the USR to raise funds for them, and thus drop weapon production?
Interesting chapter of changes there @Geekhis Khan - going to be fun to read where some of this goes!
"Oscar nominated Superman actor Robert Downey Jr. was killed yesterday on the I-5" - damm! That is a real shame given RDJ seemed to be turning his life around.
"which was blamed on a driver using their cellular phone." - hope someone gets the book thrown at them, and new laws on mobile use in cars come through.
"Downey’s current film, the drama Sober, has been put into indefinite pause" - wonder how much was in the can?
"Bob Forrest was in recovery at Cedars Sinai, and under police custody." - for a mo, I thought he was being nicked for something worse than drugs.
"He ain’t the quitting type, no. Pray for recovery, but mostly pray for his soul because he’ll be seeing Jesus real soon.” - ouch.
"Jim called in some favors and set up a get-together, meeting Downey at a private beach club." - classic Jim.
"Bob even got a job doing the score and soundtrack for Sober." - excellent news.
"To Jim’s pleasant surprise, Bob was sober and actually in good spirits, if a bit melancholy, composing a song for Downey’s funeral." - maybe this will be the turn around for Bob?
"Betray everything that he taught me ‘cause I’m fucking sad? Fuck that, I’m living ‘cause he can’t!" - strong words there.
"founded Addict 2 Addict Advocacy" - good for you Bob. Nice names you have helping too. Hope you can turn round many lives.
"kept resonating with him: “living life, not running from it.” He hadn’t exactly run from life, but he was sure as sunrise running through life." - hum... sounds familiar...
"We’re going to start living, no chemicals other than coffee required.” - want to believe something positive comes from this.
Tragic, but hopeful chapter there @Geekhis Khan
"which was blamed on a driver using their cellular phone." - hope someone gets the book thrown at them, and new laws on mobile use in cars come through.
"Downey’s current film, the drama Sober, has been put into indefinite pause" - wonder how much was in the can?
"Bob Forrest was in recovery at Cedars Sinai, and under police custody." - for a mo, I thought he was being nicked for something worse than drugs.
"He ain’t the quitting type, no. Pray for recovery, but mostly pray for his soul because he’ll be seeing Jesus real soon.” - ouch.
"Jim called in some favors and set up a get-together, meeting Downey at a private beach club." - classic Jim.
"Bob even got a job doing the score and soundtrack for Sober." - excellent news.
"To Jim’s pleasant surprise, Bob was sober and actually in good spirits, if a bit melancholy, composing a song for Downey’s funeral." - maybe this will be the turn around for Bob?
"Betray everything that he taught me ‘cause I’m fucking sad? Fuck that, I’m living ‘cause he can’t!" - strong words there.
"founded Addict 2 Addict Advocacy" - good for you Bob. Nice names you have helping too. Hope you can turn round many lives.
"kept resonating with him: “living life, not running from it.” He hadn’t exactly run from life, but he was sure as sunrise running through life." - hum... sounds familiar...
"We’re going to start living, no chemicals other than coffee required.” - want to believe something positive comes from this.
Tragic, but hopeful chapter there @Geekhis Khan
"Terrell asked me to talk about my time working on 1998’s What Dreams May Come for WED Signature." - well this should be interesting.
"and developing an adaption of LeGuin’s Earthsea trilogy" - looking forward to reading more about this one.
"And he read, and kept reading, enthralled by the deep cosmology of the story." - I can get pulled into books like that!
"Jim then met with Richard, and found that they had a lot in common spiritually," - sounds like Richard might see more of his works becoming features?
"he sets out with his otherworldly guide, who turns out to be his long-dead brother Robert, to rescue her from Hell, an impossible task." - wow that sounds deep.
"It delved into deep emotional topics like depression and suicide and ended up with a T rating thanks to the heavy subjects and dark imagery," - changes the audience, but marketing can make that work for a film.
"Even Miyakzaki-san’s notorious gruffness was muted as he smiled in childlike delight with each visual and each frame." - wow it *must* be art.
"we actually got honorable notice and were in contention for the Palm d’Or," - impressive.
"We’d eventually be nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 1999," - only nominated it seems though.
"despite excellent reviews the arthouse release only made a few million," - definitely a true Art movie then. Won't help Jim's problems with the Board.
"it achieved transcendence and immortality, living on forever as one of the greatest works of animation in human history." - sounds like it did well on home release and in the many years subsequently it's gained a great rep.
If What Dreams May Come only gets an Art House release in the UK ITTL me would not have seen it. Though he probably watched it on video later.
Great movie outline there @Geekhis Khan
"and developing an adaption of LeGuin’s Earthsea trilogy" - looking forward to reading more about this one.
"And he read, and kept reading, enthralled by the deep cosmology of the story." - I can get pulled into books like that!
"Jim then met with Richard, and found that they had a lot in common spiritually," - sounds like Richard might see more of his works becoming features?
"he sets out with his otherworldly guide, who turns out to be his long-dead brother Robert, to rescue her from Hell, an impossible task." - wow that sounds deep.
"It delved into deep emotional topics like depression and suicide and ended up with a T rating thanks to the heavy subjects and dark imagery," - changes the audience, but marketing can make that work for a film.
"Even Miyakzaki-san’s notorious gruffness was muted as he smiled in childlike delight with each visual and each frame." - wow it *must* be art.
"we actually got honorable notice and were in contention for the Palm d’Or," - impressive.
"We’d eventually be nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 1999," - only nominated it seems though.
"despite excellent reviews the arthouse release only made a few million," - definitely a true Art movie then. Won't help Jim's problems with the Board.
"it achieved transcendence and immortality, living on forever as one of the greatest works of animation in human history." - sounds like it did well on home release and in the many years subsequently it's gained a great rep.
If What Dreams May Come only gets an Art House release in the UK ITTL me would not have seen it. Though he probably watched it on video later.
Great movie outline there @Geekhis Khan
Wonder who is joining the Crossover cast this time for Roger Rabbit: Bunny in the ‘Burbs....?
"It was kind of looking like True Lies with Toons, to be honest." - not the worst idea, but 'done'.
"Roger has to take a menial job and he and Jessica move to the suburbs, but face discrimination." - ah a classic setup.
"we all agreed from the very earliest days to direct this film as though it was an Oscar-bait exploration of race in America." - aim high heh?
"They were going to experience a serious drama on the dangers and cruelty of bigotry and prejudice, but with the ludicrous undercurrent of wacky cartoon antics." - wonder if all the audience got it?
"Yes, Reginald Edward “Reggie” Rabbit and Jennifer Dolores “Jenny” Rabbit. She’s sweet, innocent, and vivacious, he’s cynical, jaded, and not really “bad”, just “drawn that way”. - nice dynamic with the kids there.
"Of course Roy wanted to know why she couldn’t get a Mickey or Donald tat, and we were, like, “duh” - very much missed the point there Roy!
"including Kermit, Jim using the original “mom’s turquoise coat” version that wasn’t even a frog yet." - did Jim do the Muppetry himself? That would the first time he's done that for years that this point in the timeline?
"Roger works a humiliating job at the local Simpson Point Nuclear Reactor," - LOL
"In the conclusion, an irate Angela, driven to madness, comes after Roger and Reggie with a paint sprayer loaded with solvent." - DIP! Angela sounds like she is trying to hard to be 'normal'. Sounds like the Dursley's...
"and even the perfectly-manicured lawns and gardens of the homes on the streets are now full of happy singing cartoon flowers and trees in addition to the organic plants." - is there a Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II in there for the meta-joke?
"DM: So, you used digital puppetry and pantomime rigs to interact with the live actors, used that to animate 3D vector wireframes, and then used the planar-projection techniques to morph it into 2D images reminiscent of hand-drawn animation." - wow that sounds like a lot of work there!
"In a few more years when they are able to have practical digital cameras[7] we’ll be able to hybridize animation with live action as you shoot!" - invest in the new technologies now!
"Will make a solid $182 million against a $75 million budget driven by good reviews and word of mouth." - that is a decent take. Not sure it will spawn more sequels now that Roger and family have a happy ending?
Fun chapter there @Geekhis Khan
"It was kind of looking like True Lies with Toons, to be honest." - not the worst idea, but 'done'.
"Roger has to take a menial job and he and Jessica move to the suburbs, but face discrimination." - ah a classic setup.
"we all agreed from the very earliest days to direct this film as though it was an Oscar-bait exploration of race in America." - aim high heh?
"They were going to experience a serious drama on the dangers and cruelty of bigotry and prejudice, but with the ludicrous undercurrent of wacky cartoon antics." - wonder if all the audience got it?
"Yes, Reginald Edward “Reggie” Rabbit and Jennifer Dolores “Jenny” Rabbit. She’s sweet, innocent, and vivacious, he’s cynical, jaded, and not really “bad”, just “drawn that way”. - nice dynamic with the kids there.
"Of course Roy wanted to know why she couldn’t get a Mickey or Donald tat, and we were, like, “duh” - very much missed the point there Roy!
"including Kermit, Jim using the original “mom’s turquoise coat” version that wasn’t even a frog yet." - did Jim do the Muppetry himself? That would the first time he's done that for years that this point in the timeline?
"Roger works a humiliating job at the local Simpson Point Nuclear Reactor," - LOL
"In the conclusion, an irate Angela, driven to madness, comes after Roger and Reggie with a paint sprayer loaded with solvent." - DIP! Angela sounds like she is trying to hard to be 'normal'. Sounds like the Dursley's...
"and even the perfectly-manicured lawns and gardens of the homes on the streets are now full of happy singing cartoon flowers and trees in addition to the organic plants." - is there a Little Shop of Horrors Audrey II in there for the meta-joke?
"DM: So, you used digital puppetry and pantomime rigs to interact with the live actors, used that to animate 3D vector wireframes, and then used the planar-projection techniques to morph it into 2D images reminiscent of hand-drawn animation." - wow that sounds like a lot of work there!
"In a few more years when they are able to have practical digital cameras[7] we’ll be able to hybridize animation with live action as you shoot!" - invest in the new technologies now!
"Will make a solid $182 million against a $75 million budget driven by good reviews and word of mouth." - that is a decent take. Not sure it will spawn more sequels now that Roger and family have a happy ending?
Fun chapter there @Geekhis Khan