Thursday, June 27, 2024

"First Black" Cartoon Animator For Disney....Floyd Norman (1956)


 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 🙈🙉🙊

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