In the same vein as the numerous Glen Keane and Eric Goldberg appreciation posts I see floating around the tumbls, I want to see some love for Polish-born Disney veteran Andreas Deja. The supervising animator behind Gaston, Scar, Jafar, King Triton, Hercules, Lilo, and others, I think he was the first animator to really make me appreciate that animators ARE actors with pencils and they can produce performances as distinct and recognizable as a you would expect from a live action actor. I remember watching Little Mermaid at university and thinking “man, that was such a Gaston-kinda hand gesture” in some line King Triton was acting out, and realizing that you could recognize the animator behind a character if you paid attention to their mannerisms.
He’s something of a Disney historian, mentored by the nine old men, and has put it out there that he would like to publish a series of books with one dedicated to each of them. In the meantime, he maintains a blog featuring some gems of classical Disney art. Possibly thanks to his respect for the classics, he is Disney’s current animation authority on Mickey Mouse.
It’s also worth noting that Deja is openly gay (which has been discussed as an influence on some of the characters he has developed) and has discussed the future possibility of Disney films featuring gay character in a positive light. In his own words;“I think once they (Disney chiefs) find the right kind of story with that kind of concept, they will do it.”. Which would be an exciting landmark for the company.
So yeah, just another one of those guys you should be thanking for your childhood :P
Fucking love Deja, his villains are so well done. Didn’t know he was gay.
