Introduction
Glen Keane(born April 13, 1954) is an American animator, author, illustrator and director. Keane is best known for his character animation at Walt Disney Studios for feature films including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Tarzan. Keane received the 1992 Annie Award for character animation and the 2007 Winsor McCay Award for lifetime contribution to the field of animation.
History
Keane was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of cartoonist Bil Keane, creator of the The Family Circus, and Thelma "Thel" Carne Keane. He was raised in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Keane's interest in art developed as a child by observing his father's work as a cartoonist. (Glen's younger self is represented in his father's comic strip as the character of "Billy"). In his early attempts to draw, his dad gave him a copy of Burne Hogarth's Dynamic Anatomy, and instructed him to analyze the body forms and the creative approach to life drawing. After high school, Glen applied to the California Institute of the Arts-School of Art, opting out of accepting a football scholarship from another college. In a lucky twist of fate, his application was accidentally sent to the Program in Experimental Animation (then called Film Graphics), where he was mentored under the now-renowned animation teacher Jules Engel.
Keane left CalArts in 1974 and joined Disney the same year. His debut work, which was created over a 3-year period, was featured in The Rescuers, for which he was an animator for the characters of Bernard and Penny, alongside the famed Ollie Johnston. In 1975, during the production of his debut film, Keane married Linda Hesselroth, and they are the parents of design artist Claire Keane, and computer graphics artist Max Keane.
Work
He have worked on some of my favorite Disney characters like the Beast, Ariel,Pocahontas and Aladdin.
His two most well known works is Ariel and the Beast even if he wasn´t alone on animating Ariel.
He is currently working as art director for the upcoming Disney film Tangled.
My Opinion
He is one of my top 3 favorite animator just for his work on the Beast as he is my favorite character but his other work also inspire my imagination and i hope that we havent seen the last of his talent.
Characters he have animated or worked on:
The Author
1. Oliver Twist
I know that Disney had make Oliver & Company back in 1988, but if they base it on the popular musical 'Oliver!'. It would a great idea, don't you agree?
2. Great Expectations
Another wonderful suggestion that represents redemption, it was like Les Miserables. It ends with a Happy Ending as well!
3. David Copperfield
The story is quite similar to Great Expectations, the story is about young David who also learns to be gentlemen and overcome many obstacles along the way. He finds true happiness in the end!
4. A Tale of Two Cities
So the story is 90% similar to Les Miserables, as the story is sets during the French Revolution. It deals with sacrificial love and overcome with obstacles!
Great Idea?
So, do you agree with these 4 choices? If you have more, go ahead and suggest!!!
Work in Progress.
