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I present a List of their demands: Revived animation department with creative, professional animation-industry-based vision, a renewed commitment to the craft, its artists and a renewed dedication to leadership and innovation in the medium. A renewed respect for character animation, caricature, cartooning, visual storytelling as legitimate and uniquely skilled arts in which the Company once excelled. Revived in-house traditional animation unit making cartoon "Disney classics" (in addition to breaking ground with CGI, new technologies, etc.). A revival of the sincere, mythic and timeless stories and archetypes that have touched the hearts of generations. Revived exposure/access to Walt Disney's classic film and television library, uncut, unedited, uncensored, unrestricted (via a Disney Classics Channel, DVD, etc.). A return of this material to commercial television in the waking hours. Fully restored and/or enhanced Tomorrowland at Disneyland, and with it, a recommitment to optimistic futurism. New fully-budgeted E Ticket attractions at Disneyland, Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom and the rest. Rides that take us to new, unexplored worlds outside our own. A recommitment to premium quality, innovation and surprise in all endeavors -- Only the best in family entertainment, exceeding all expectations, a company again dedicated to leading the way in creating the impossible. Long-term commitment to Pixar, the new-Disney. Respect for all creative partners. Revived Imagineering department with imagination again in the lead. Full-range of creative expression and artistic freedom encouraged/permitted across the entire company -- not just a repetitive, narrow-range of politically-correct talking points executed through seminar-level story templates and formulas. Support, nurturing for creators and projects -- not brutality. The intent to help creators succeed, and sufficient budgets to back them up. Mitigation of strategic planning/finance/legal centralization -- lowest-common-denominator, short-term reinvestment thinking -- rebranding intitiatives -- the outsourcing of creativity from the Walt Disney Company. Humanity over hierarchy. Content over form. Quality over quantity. Product over marketing. Kinder, gentler corporate culture and human resources -- A positive work environment for all employees, not just management -- Human respect and decency for cast-members of all opinions, skills and persuasions. Support (or at least renewed respect) for traditional Walt Disney concepts, themes, employees, values, aesthetics, content. A dedication to passing these ideals to the next generation. Focus on core Disney businesses, not unrelated distractions such as network television, news, housewares or sports-franchises. Refocus on escapism and laughter, rather than expansionism, geopolitics or social engineering. Release of suppressed Walt Disney historic intellectual material (Song of the South, etc.). No more cheap franchise extensions, sequels, remakes, or direct-to-video product that cheapens and dilutes "the brand," public expectations and art aesthetics. No more revisionist alteration of underlying thematic material and beloved characters/personalities (on stage, in sequels/remakes/prequels, etc.), inconsistent with their conception or popular association. Expansion of Disney's family entertainment businesses in a synergistic fashion, consistent with its legacy -- A recommitment to full-family entertainment and values. Safety and full-maintenance of all theme park attractions. Preservation of historic Walt Disney assets (theme parks, film library, archives, art library, music library, etc.). A living wage, health and security for cast-members. A respect for and interest in consumer desires. A return to populist ethics. Legitimate growth in shareholder value and long-term assets. More democratic corporate governance. A true responsiveness to shareholder concerns. A recognition of the small shareholder as a legitimate voice in the company's direction. Creative representation in senior management, divisional management and the Board of Directors. The empowering of inspirational individuals dedicated to continuing and adding to the Disney legacy, rather than remaking it in their own image. http://www.savedisney.com/news/editorials/mj010305.1.asp
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