A VIS DEV YANKEE IN KING MICKEY’S COURT
RHETT WICKHAM talks to SUE NICHOLS
About Re-Discovering Her Roots and Her Audience

Nobody who ever knew her thought they could pry her pen, pencil and ink from her hands. Nor would they want to, as the delightful, whimsical, carefully rendered illustrations and designs that pour out of her are the sort of stuff dreams are made of. Still, she has traded markers and watercolors for a tablet and stylus, she has traded a view of the dry brown San Fernando hills, ablaze in summer smoke, for the fiery reds and golds of a New England autumn, and she surrendered a daily commute on the 110 for emails, faxes and phone calls at hours most farmers don’t see. Best of all, she has traded the quiet of an office with a door to shut out the chaos of colleagues riding bikes down the hall, for a home office that keeps little to none of the sounds and interruptions of a nine year old and an eleven year old from penetrating the plaster and unhinging the door. Of all the adjustments, it is the latter that makes Sue Nichols happier than she ever thought possible.

This poloroid is a snap from Sue’s CalArts graduation.

Back Row: Haraldo, Steve Markowski, Jim Reardon, Tami Becker, Rich Moore, Broose Johnson
Front Row: Russ Edmonds, Brenda Chapman, Andrew Stanton, Anita Ziobro, Sue Nichols

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Hercules Development Crew Outing

Ron Clements falling out of his chair.

Words by John Ramirez:
At the end of Storyboarding we had a party at a Moroccan restaurant. We had such a great time, with such silly people there like Kaan Kaylon, Bob Shaw and Don McEnery and of course Ron and John…we were laughing up our couscous. (more…)

Rowland Wilson in his Studio

John Culhane, author of many definitive books on Walt Disney animation, including Walt Disney’s Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 and Aladdin, The Making of Animated film, was a long-time friend of Rowland B. Wilson and sent this memoir to Rowland’s wife, Suzanne. (more…)

Animator and story man Mel Shaw has been called one of Disney’s “elder statesmen” of animation. Walt Disney, who personally recruited Mel to join his team, observed another side.

During his early polo playing days, Mel recalled first meeting Walt at the field, who announced, “You ride like a wild Indian!” And thus, the door opened for Mel to infuse his passion into Disney animation. (more…)