Author Archives: Art Babbitt

La Huelga de Disney

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Unless you’re a subscriber to Spain’s magazine Historia Y Vida, you missed a very detailed article about the Disney Strike.  Spain is jumping on the Babbitt Wagon and and just printed this six-page (six-page!) article on Walt, Babbitt, and the … Continue reading →

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Disney’s Life Drawing Classes Today

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Many moons ago I did an interview with a writer for the Fast Company Magazine website about the origin of Disney’s life drawing classes within the studio, and Babbitt’s significance.  A lovely article was published about Disney’s classes in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Disney, miscellaneous | Leave a comment

Gunther Lessing and the Strike

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Art Babbitt

A homemade presentation on the origins of the Disney Strike, and tumultuous relationship between Babbitt and Walt Disney’s V.P.

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, 1941: The Disney Strike | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Meeting Walt Disney

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Babbitt retelling his first encounter with Walt – and Walt’s first hint that Babbitt meant trouble. All footage and photos are original from the Babbitt Collection.

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Babbitt’s Disney Friends

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Disney artists need time to unwind while making milestones like Snow White and Pinocchio.  Here are some brief clips of some of Babbitt’s friends from the Disney studio having fun during the late 1930s. For those of you keeping track, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Marge on Art Babbitt

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Art Babbitt

A mini-doc on Art Babbitt, through the eyes and voice of his ex-wife, Marge, née Belcher, later Champion. Disney man Hal Adelquist is one of the other beach-goers.  Adelquist would later testify against Babbitt at the National Labor Relations Board … Continue reading →

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How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 4 of 4

Posted on February 18, 2014 by Art Babbitt

LIVE ACTION REFERENCE We’ve discussed how Babbitt contributed to the development of animation and Disney’s golden age in many hugely significant ways.  The last method I’ll touch upon here is his use of Live Action reference. I’ve talked about it … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Alice in Wonderland, Animation, California, Pinocchio, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Tagged , | 1 Comment

How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 3 of 4

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Cartoon Character Analysis Hollywood cartoon characters up to 1934 lacked a certain luster.  In the early 1930s, live-action actors were happily pigeon-holed into roles: Douglas Fairbanks was the hero, Charley Chaplin was the tramp.  But these stars were exceptional. They … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Animation, New York | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 2 of 4

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Art Babbitt

The Animation Technique of Breaking the Joints You must have noticed that if you wag a pencil in just the right way, it appears to be made of rubber.  It’s an optical illusion that makes a rigid object appear to move … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Animation, Mickey Mouse | Tagged , | 1 Comment

How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 1 of 4

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Film history has many great pioneers who were the first to try a new technique and elevate the entire medium.  In live action film, some of the most noted artists to do so are directors and actors.  In animation, it … Continue reading →

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