A wonderful doc on the life of Floyd Norman, a lifelong Disney animator who didn't let color or circumstances impede the love of his life; his job. For those fearing entering the hinter years of old age, Floyd's life is a model for those of us who truly love what they do & hope to do it till the day they die.
8 Reviews
A Most Unheroic-Seeming Pioneer
boblipton21 April 2020
Floyd Norman was hired by the Walt Disney Company in 1956 as an assistant animator. This is described as the lowest of the low; presumably they no longer hired people to wash the ink and paint out of the cels after the film went out. He was the first African American hired as an artist at Disney. He worked there for ten years, with time out for the Army, contributing to the features, then struck out on his own. Some of the notable pieces of animation he did included the opening sequence to the TV show SOUL TRAIN and the Cosby 'Fat Albert' special and series.
This documentary emphasizes the normality of Mr. Norman. At times, he seems boring. True, he was a pioneering Black animator, and went to Watts to shoot film of the riots in 1965, but the movie emphasizes his business troubles, his wife and children, all the things that occupy the life of millions of Americans. That, I think, is the point of this movie. Norman seems like an average Joe with a decent sense of humor and a real talent for drawing and animation. Pretty nice guy.
This documentary emphasizes the normality of Mr. Norman. At times, he seems boring. True, he was a pioneering Black animator, and went to Watts to shoot film of the riots in 1965, but the movie emphasizes his business troubles, his wife and children, all the things that occupy the life of millions of Americans. That, I think, is the point of this movie. Norman seems like an average Joe with a decent sense of humor and a real talent for drawing and animation. Pretty nice guy.
Intriguing and informative. Gave me goosebumps with what I learned about Disney
Ed-Shullivan21 April 2020
Some documentaries are egocentric fluff pieces but such is NOT the case with the six (6) decade career of animation artist and guru Floyd Norman. How can you not love him and not want to meet him? His business partner and fellow cartoonist Leo Sullivan, his five (5) children are now all adults and they sit around their dining room table talking about how low key their dad was. Heck, even his ex-wife Belle talks fondly about his artistic talent, fatherhood, husbandry, and having to share him with his first love for animation/illustrating and his Disney/Pixar/Hanna-Barbera other professional family of illustrators.
I gleaned a lot of insightful information about the early days of the Walt Disney family of animation artists/illustrators/story board writers first hand as we got to know Floyd Norman personally, through his own thoughts, words and actions as he spoke to us about his six (6) decade career that appears to still be going strong into his eighties.
His artwork has appeared in far too many films and TV series to mention them all but just a few highlights would be Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Mickey Mouse comic strip, and many of the Hanna-Barbera TV cartoon series including my personal favorite, (1964) Jonny Quest.
It was very, very late when I sat up one evening to watch a PVR recording of this documentary but I couldn't stop watching because Floyd Norman and his second wife Adrien (married on September 05th, 1999) summed up his personal trials and tribulations with an immense and touching life story that was interspersed with animated sequences that I felt that I knew Mr. Norman his entire life.
Mr. Norman, if you and your wife Adrienne ever happen to find yourselves in Toronto Canada, I would with an open heart invite you both into our home for a big dinner and a night of whimsical conversation so that my wife and I could pick both of your brains for what really got you started and sustaining such a storied life in this competitive business for so long, that you loved so much. A truly great and honored member as a Disney Legend .
I give this wonderful and heart warming documentary about the life and times of artist/cartoonist/story board writer and illustrator Floyd Norman a loving 9 out of 10 IMDB rating
I gleaned a lot of insightful information about the early days of the Walt Disney family of animation artists/illustrators/story board writers first hand as we got to know Floyd Norman personally, through his own thoughts, words and actions as he spoke to us about his six (6) decade career that appears to still be going strong into his eighties.
His artwork has appeared in far too many films and TV series to mention them all but just a few highlights would be Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Mickey Mouse comic strip, and many of the Hanna-Barbera TV cartoon series including my personal favorite, (1964) Jonny Quest.
It was very, very late when I sat up one evening to watch a PVR recording of this documentary but I couldn't stop watching because Floyd Norman and his second wife Adrien (married on September 05th, 1999) summed up his personal trials and tribulations with an immense and touching life story that was interspersed with animated sequences that I felt that I knew Mr. Norman his entire life.
Mr. Norman, if you and your wife Adrienne ever happen to find yourselves in Toronto Canada, I would with an open heart invite you both into our home for a big dinner and a night of whimsical conversation so that my wife and I could pick both of your brains for what really got you started and sustaining such a storied life in this competitive business for so long, that you loved so much. A truly great and honored member as a Disney Legend .
I give this wonderful and heart warming documentary about the life and times of artist/cartoonist/story board writer and illustrator Floyd Norman a loving 9 out of 10 IMDB rating
A movie about an unsung hero for many!
subxerogravity29 August 2016
A mouth or so after black History mouth, I discovered a man named Frank Braxton who is credited as being the first black animator and had short but impactful career over at Warner Bros.
Then, possibly another mouth after that I saw the trailer for Floyd Norman: An Animated Life, and knew I wanted to see this.
Forget about the fact that Floyd is a black man who made it in a industry that was dominated by whites, and did it on sure talent alone, Floyd's energy in the documentary lifts the spirits of all who still think as children and stay young by doing what they love for as long as you can do it. He's like Stan Lee.
It's an untold story that I really needed to here. Still to this day it's important to know that diversity exist in this business and even though Floyd thinks of himself as more than just a symbol for the cause, he is in fact really good at being it just from being himself.
He's a man at 80 who has not lost a kink in his step and keeps moving on, which is an inspiration for all of us to stay as young as you feel.
For those Die-Hard animation fans it's a well rounded documentary about the animation business starting from when Floyd was hired by Disney to work on Sleeping Beauty up till 2015 with Floyd let go from Disney at age 65 and then being hired back 15 years after. It features very famous names in animation (like Paul Dini who created the DC animated Universe) to some lessor known but just as important guys. Who would have thought an industry catered mostly towards children would be so filled with racism sexism and ageism (more so the two latter really than the former).
Great documentary about an interesting man inside an awesome business.
http://cinemagardens.com
Then, possibly another mouth after that I saw the trailer for Floyd Norman: An Animated Life, and knew I wanted to see this.
Forget about the fact that Floyd is a black man who made it in a industry that was dominated by whites, and did it on sure talent alone, Floyd's energy in the documentary lifts the spirits of all who still think as children and stay young by doing what they love for as long as you can do it. He's like Stan Lee.
It's an untold story that I really needed to here. Still to this day it's important to know that diversity exist in this business and even though Floyd thinks of himself as more than just a symbol for the cause, he is in fact really good at being it just from being himself.
He's a man at 80 who has not lost a kink in his step and keeps moving on, which is an inspiration for all of us to stay as young as you feel.
For those Die-Hard animation fans it's a well rounded documentary about the animation business starting from when Floyd was hired by Disney to work on Sleeping Beauty up till 2015 with Floyd let go from Disney at age 65 and then being hired back 15 years after. It features very famous names in animation (like Paul Dini who created the DC animated Universe) to some lessor known but just as important guys. Who would have thought an industry catered mostly towards children would be so filled with racism sexism and ageism (more so the two latter really than the former).
Great documentary about an interesting man inside an awesome business.
http://cinemagardens.com
Delightful and Inspiring!
lincolnmcmeen1 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This review may contain spoilers. I REALLY enjoyed this documentary, for me it was very inspiring. I remember meeting Floyd and his wife Adrienne back in 2013 while I was in undergrad at Morehouse College. They were sweet and kind and his story about his career inspired me to keep going. This documentary is awesome because it inspires you to do what you love NO MATTER the cost. Floyd's passion for animation (to me) is what keeps him alive and you can see it. His documentary takes you through a journey of his career in animation from the golden days when Walt was roaming the halls to the present day at Disney. You really learn about the business of animation and how nobody is safe from being fired, no matter how much you contribute throughout the years. But what I learned from this documentary and from Floyd is that if you want to stay around long you have to be ADAPTABLE. Thank Mr. Norman for another lesson learned.
Insightful film about a laid back guy that's done amazing things!
blubberhollow27 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is an intriguing look at not just Floyd's fascinating story but the animation industry as well. I worked as a production assistant at Walt Disney Feature Animation in the 1990s, and I think this is some of the best explanation of the process and the people that's ever been made. It's funny, sometimes infuriating, very informative, and full of great appearances by people who've worked with Floyd. The way he shrugs at being the first African American animator is amusing. I had no idea he shot the iconic 16mm footage of the Watts Riots, and with Roy E. Disney's camera from the True Life Stories at that! It's a highly enjoyable film, and I am glad I bought it instead of just renting because I will definitely watch it again!
When your life has been rooted in animation, what better way to tell your life story than through visuals as Floyd Norman does?
Amari-Sali10 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Overview
Representation matters and as Viola Davis said, though more geared toward women of color, the only thing which separates people of color, or in this case Black people, from everyone else is opportunity. But in Floyd's case what separates him from everyone else wasn't just opportunity but hard work. Which, into his 80s, is what he gives Disney, Pixar, and the industry of animation.
Trigger Warning(s): Depiction of Watts Riot
Main Storyline
Though his career started in 1956, Floyd Norman's love of animation and drawing began with Dumbo, was cultivated by Floyd's grandmother, became a career thanks to a science teacher and became his life's work under the watchful eye of Walt Disney and his famous Nine Old Men. From there, it was all about opportunity. Opportunities which spanned from working in different departments within Disney, as well as Hanna-Barbera, and even beginning his own company, Vignette Films, with Leo Sullivan and a few others. However, Disney was and always will be home. Walt Disney, despite rumored faults, would always be a father figure, and retirement will never be a realistic option.
But, at 65, it seems Disney made it his only option. For, you see, this movie isn't just about Floyd's professional life, it is also about ageism in the industry, a bit about the politics of the entertainment business, and it even touches on Floyd's personal life. Be it his first marriage and how that ended, or his new marriage to Adrienne which seems like a better match for him. Not to forget, the movie featuring his 5 children from his first marriage and, alongside quite a few cartoons, depicting the highs and lows of Floyd's life. All the while famous people like Whoopi Goldberg to many heavyweights in animation help fill in the details of an animated life.
Things To Note
Some of his most notable work: The Sword and the Stone (as an in-betweener), working on Sleeping Beauty, with a focus on the 3 fairies, assistant animator for Mary Poppins, filmed the footage NBC used for the Watts riots, did the animation for the Soul Train logo, wrote and took part in the animation for shows like Jonny Quest, Scooby-Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, Richie Rich and so many others.
Highlights
Since I was young my father has spoken about knowing your history. However, like someone said in the movie, when it comes to animation and art in general, that isn't taught much in school. You may learn how to draw and paint maybe, but art history is an elective and names like Floyd Norman and his contemporaries may not be at the top of the list of names you'll learn. So this film becomes a bit of a crash course.
Mind you, outside of Floyd and partner Leo Sullivan, there aren't many standout Black animators noted, however, there are many others who Floyd either mentored or worked with and they all comment on his life and the business. In fact, there are so many who were involved in this production that I was thankful that unlike some documentaries, they kept repeating a subtitle of who is who.
But really, one of the big highlights to me, outside of learning about Floyd's life, is the animation chosen to illustrate different parts of Floyd's life. All of it helps bring out the expressive side to the reserve Floyd and whether it is his own work or others, some of it makes you giggle like a kid and others help you understand his frustrations which, outside of a handful of scenes, he may verbally say he was mad about something but his face looked as calm as an owl.
Leaving us with a movie which, overall, doesn't really have any low points or anything to be on the fence about. It covers his life and work, the frustrations which come from working in an industry in which once a project ends there is the constant threat of being fired, leading you to work in multiple departments or even for competing studios, and even going out on your own. It also covers his personal life, be it his marriage or relationship to his kids, and while Disney is praised and will always be the company it all started at, he doesn't present the House of Mouse as always this utopia. Between the ageism he accuses them of which lead to his career there temporarily ending at 65 to racism when he was hired originally, he shows the studio does have its flaws. But, despite that, the acknowledgment of his worth as an animator there means the world to him. So, as flawed as the place can be, it will always be his home away from home.
Representation matters and as Viola Davis said, though more geared toward women of color, the only thing which separates people of color, or in this case Black people, from everyone else is opportunity. But in Floyd's case what separates him from everyone else wasn't just opportunity but hard work. Which, into his 80s, is what he gives Disney, Pixar, and the industry of animation.
Trigger Warning(s): Depiction of Watts Riot
Main Storyline
Though his career started in 1956, Floyd Norman's love of animation and drawing began with Dumbo, was cultivated by Floyd's grandmother, became a career thanks to a science teacher and became his life's work under the watchful eye of Walt Disney and his famous Nine Old Men. From there, it was all about opportunity. Opportunities which spanned from working in different departments within Disney, as well as Hanna-Barbera, and even beginning his own company, Vignette Films, with Leo Sullivan and a few others. However, Disney was and always will be home. Walt Disney, despite rumored faults, would always be a father figure, and retirement will never be a realistic option.
But, at 65, it seems Disney made it his only option. For, you see, this movie isn't just about Floyd's professional life, it is also about ageism in the industry, a bit about the politics of the entertainment business, and it even touches on Floyd's personal life. Be it his first marriage and how that ended, or his new marriage to Adrienne which seems like a better match for him. Not to forget, the movie featuring his 5 children from his first marriage and, alongside quite a few cartoons, depicting the highs and lows of Floyd's life. All the while famous people like Whoopi Goldberg to many heavyweights in animation help fill in the details of an animated life.
Things To Note
Some of his most notable work: The Sword and the Stone (as an in-betweener), working on Sleeping Beauty, with a focus on the 3 fairies, assistant animator for Mary Poppins, filmed the footage NBC used for the Watts riots, did the animation for the Soul Train logo, wrote and took part in the animation for shows like Jonny Quest, Scooby-Doo, Josie and the Pussycats, Richie Rich and so many others.
Highlights
Since I was young my father has spoken about knowing your history. However, like someone said in the movie, when it comes to animation and art in general, that isn't taught much in school. You may learn how to draw and paint maybe, but art history is an elective and names like Floyd Norman and his contemporaries may not be at the top of the list of names you'll learn. So this film becomes a bit of a crash course.
Mind you, outside of Floyd and partner Leo Sullivan, there aren't many standout Black animators noted, however, there are many others who Floyd either mentored or worked with and they all comment on his life and the business. In fact, there are so many who were involved in this production that I was thankful that unlike some documentaries, they kept repeating a subtitle of who is who.
But really, one of the big highlights to me, outside of learning about Floyd's life, is the animation chosen to illustrate different parts of Floyd's life. All of it helps bring out the expressive side to the reserve Floyd and whether it is his own work or others, some of it makes you giggle like a kid and others help you understand his frustrations which, outside of a handful of scenes, he may verbally say he was mad about something but his face looked as calm as an owl.
Leaving us with a movie which, overall, doesn't really have any low points or anything to be on the fence about. It covers his life and work, the frustrations which come from working in an industry in which once a project ends there is the constant threat of being fired, leading you to work in multiple departments or even for competing studios, and even going out on your own. It also covers his personal life, be it his marriage or relationship to his kids, and while Disney is praised and will always be the company it all started at, he doesn't present the House of Mouse as always this utopia. Between the ageism he accuses them of which lead to his career there temporarily ending at 65 to racism when he was hired originally, he shows the studio does have its flaws. But, despite that, the acknowledgment of his worth as an animator there means the world to him. So, as flawed as the place can be, it will always be his home away from home.
Outstanding Documentary
kwsahale29 June 2023
This is an absolutely amazing and detailed look at the life of Floyd Norman. From his family's move to California, his military service, his early pioneering work at Disney Studios. This film traces the highs and lows of his life and career. It addresses the challenges of racism and ageism. It shows his admirable talent and perseverance. It's a journey through history, of a man's life, Disney Studios, the film industry, the Watts riots. I found it to be very educational. I have been a lifelong fan of Disney Studios, and I had no clue how much time, talent, and work goes into animation. I have a new appreciation for the film industry.
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