Production under Warner Bros. (1989–1992) The Thief and the Cobbler

this uncolourised scene 1 of many animated hand move in 3 dimensions – achieved without cgi. exists in williams s original, unfinished version of film , cut along many other ones in 2 released versions.

with new funding, film got full production in 1989. williams scoured art schools of europe , canada find talented artists. @ point, of original animators either dead or having long since moved on other projects, full-scale production on film began, new, younger team of animators, including williams s own son alexander williams. in 1988 interview jerry beck, williams stated had 2 , half hours of pencil tests thief , had not storyboarded film found such method controlling. vincent price recorded dialogue 1967 1973. williams recorded further dialogue price 1990 production, price s age , illness meant lines remained unfinished.

williams had before experimented shots animated hand move in 3 dimensions characters, including several shots in roger rabbit s opening sequence. thief, williams began planning several sequences feature greater use of animation technique, including tack , thief s palace chase – achieved without computer-generated imagery. according rumors, williams approached thief live-action point of view coming off of roger rabbit. williams creating footage , extending sequences trim down later , have edited down workprint later assembled.

warner bros. had signed deal completion bond company ensure studio given finished film, if not finish thief under management. williams, dedicated pressured, taking time ensure sequences perfect. animators working overtime, sixty hours week required, film done. while williams encouraged best out of people, discipline harsh , animators fired. fired hundreds of people. there s list long arm of people fired dick. regular event. cameraman john leatherbarrow recalls, there 1 guy got fired on doorstep. williams hard on himself: first person in morning , last 1 out @ night, recalls animator roger vizard. funders pressured williams make finished scenes of main characters marketing trailer. final designs made characters @ time.

the film not finished 1991 deadline warner imposed upon williams; film had approximately 10 15 minutes of screen time complete, @ williams s rate estimated take tight 6 months or longer. warner bros. perspective, animation department @ studio had put enthusiasm towards high-quality television animation had little confidence towards backing feature animation. warner bros. had released nutcracker prince, canadian-produced animated feature, in 1990 no promotion. warner s head of animation jean maccurdy didn t know animation, admitted artist had worked williams while seeing footage of thief. animator working in warner bros. salvaged 40 minutes of 35mm dailies footage maccurdy s trash. meanwhile, walt disney feature animation had begun work on aladdin, film bore striking resemblances in story, style , character thief , cobbler; example, character zigzag thief shares many physical characteristics both aladdin s villain, jafar, , genie, animated williams studio alumnus andreas deja , eric goldberg.

the completion bond company asked television animation producer fred calvert detailed analysis of production status. had traveled williams s london studio several times check on progress of film, , conclusion williams woefully behind schedule , way on budget. williams did indeed have script, according calvert, wasn t following faithfully. people completion bond company, , calvert, visiting studio more towards end. williams giving dailies of sequences finished or scrapped since 1980s, hoping give indication of progress warner bros. williams asked show investors rough copy of film remaining scenes filled in storyboards in order establish film s narrative. williams had avoided storyboards point, within 2 weeks had done investors had asked. williams made workprint combined finished footage, pencil tests, storyboards, , movements symphonic suite, scheherazade, cover 10–15 minutes left finish. animators found out had completed more enough footage 85-minute feature, had yet finish sequences involving central story.

in may 13, 1992, rough version of film shown warner bros., , not received. during screening, penultimate reel of film missing, did not matters. studio lost confidence , backed out of project. completion bond company seized control of film, ousting williams project. jake eberts, @ point executive producer, abandoned project. additionally, according richard williams himself, production had lost source of funding when japanese investors pulled out due recession following japanese asset price bubble. fans cite decision example of trend of animated films being tampered studio executives.