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Welcome
to the Official Website of Frank
Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Although
Frank and Ollie have passed on, this website is a part of their
legacy. All of the pages below the Home button were created
by
Frank and Ollie.
Three sections and eight pages have been added
to Frank and Ollie’s original website. This page, a section on the Homage paid to them by the community and the animators they have helped and written papers for, and finally an Epilogue.
We
have also added two videos (below the blue bar) to Franks page and
Ollie's page that show their hobbies and that reflect their work at
Disney Studios, in their own words.
Their idea for the site was to
provide a way for them to continue to mentor young animators. Because
of their age and health they were not able to get out that often to
talk to young animators.
They started working on their website
in the late 1990's. The website was completely story boarded on two
large cork boards in Franks den. Every time Ollie and Frank met up, they began to brainstorm. During those moments, they were like overeager students full of creativity and enthusiasm. They talked, argued, and complained to one another, with Ollie muttering, “I wish there were companies that could do my homework and present a list with good ideas,” and Frank joking by saying, “Maybe we should start one!” They had also created two
new
characters and original short animations for the site. The characters,
Nilknarf and Revilo, Frank and Ollie’s names backwards, were created
because it would be too much work get approvals to use the Disney
characters they had created.
Two companies had told Frank and
Ollie that they would implement the site, but then failed to do
so. In 2000 Frank, Ollie and I decided to take a do it
yourself
approach. I could take care of technical aspects, but ask my
friend Joe if he would help with the graphics design.
Joe was
not only crucial to the design of the site; he also came up with the
"Tales from the Table" page. One of the joys we had working with Frank
and Ollie was hearing stories about working at Disney Animation
from the very beginning. Joe made a regular effort to get Frank and
Ollie together to share their stories with all of us.
There was
a page on the original site where fans could request autographed
pictures and drawings that Frank and Ollie created specifically for the
site. There was also a section where animators could send in
samples of their work for Frank and Ollie to critique. They
took
great joy at the opportunity to help young animators.
It was
exciting, amazing, and a joy for both of us to know and work with the
two of
the men responsible for so many of our childhood memories.
We hope you enjoy as well as learn a little from this site!
Mike and Joe
Wine
Country Art Gallery
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