Vintage Cartoons. . . And "Vintage Movies"

 Floyd Norman is a pioneering African American animator and story artist who made significant contributions to the animation industry, particularly at Disney. Here is a brief overview of his life and career:

Early Life

• Born: June 22, 1935, in Santa Barbara, California.
• Education: Attended the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California.

Career at Disney

• Joining Disney: Norman joined Walt Disney Studios in 1956, becoming one of the first African American artists at the studio.
• Early Work: He started as an inbetweener on "Sleeping Beauty" (1959), working on the transitional frames that animate sequences between key frames.
• Key Contributions:
  • Worked on several Disney classics, including "101 Dalmatians" (1961), "The Sword in the Stone" (1963), and "The Jungle Book" (1967).
  • Contributed to story development and animation for various Disney projects.

Post-Disney Career

• Vignette Films: After leaving Disney in the late 1960s, Norman co-founded Vignette Films, a production company focused on producing educational films on African American history.
• Return to Disney: He returned to Disney in the late 1970s and worked on projects like "Robin Hood" (1973) and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996).
• Other Studios: Worked for other notable studios, including Hanna-Barbera Productions and Pixar Animation Studios, contributing to films like "Toy Story 2" (1999) and "Monsters, Inc." (2001).

Legacy and Recognition

• Mentorship: Norman has been a mentor to many young animators, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the animation industry.
• Awards and Honors:
  • Received the Winsor McCay Award at the Annie Awards in 2002, recognizing his lifetime contributions to animation.
  • Named a Disney Legend in 2007.
  • Awarded the Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con in 2008.

Continued Influence

• Author and Speaker: Norman has authored several books on his experiences in the animation industry and continues to be an active speaker at industry events and conventions.
• Documentary: The documentary "Floyd Norman: An Animated Life" (2016) chronicles his life and career, highlighting his impact on animation and his trailblazing role as an African American artist in a predominantly white industry.

Floyd Norman's contributions to animation and his role as a pioneer for African Americans in the industry have left an enduring legacy.

BJ 🙈🙉🙊