Fire in the Ink & Paint Department – How “Banjo the Woodpile Cat” Lit a Fuse at Disney (Ep. 341)

Jan 13, 2026

Tune in as Jim Hill and Drew Taylor explore the fascinating intersection of Disney animation history and current industry trends. They dissect this year’s Annie Award nominations, spotlight rising films, and celebrate the legacy of composer Guy Moon. The discussion delves into Don Bluth's creation of 'Banjo the Woodpile Cat' as a pivotal moment that prompted significant talent upheaval at Disney, altering the course of animation. Discover how a shortage of effects animators sparked one of the studio's biggest walkouts and set the stage for an eventual revival.

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ADVICE

Study The Full Animation Pipeline

Learn the full production pipeline by studying modern and classic practitioners together.
Attend masterclasses that pair veteran directors with current creatives to gain practical, cross‑generation skills.

INSIGHT

Effects Talent Eroded At Disney

Disney's effects animation talent shrank across decades, leaving near‑singular specialists like Jack Buckley by the 1970s.
That loss forced cheaper shortcuts and visibly reduced on‑screen effects quality in films like Jungle Book and The Rescuers.

ANECDOTE

Small Cuts Had Visible Consequences

Cost cutting led to visible visual compromises, like omitting whites in Bernard and Bianca's eyes on The Rescuers.
These small decisions accumulated and fueled frustration among animators like Don Bluth.

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Right in the thick of awards season, Jim Hill and Drew Taylor sit down to read the tea leaves on this year’s animation race while also digging into a pivotal - and often misunderstood - moment in Disney animation history. From Annie Award trends and box office signals to Don Bluth’s garage-era rebellion, this episode covers how a shortage of effects animation talent helped spark one of the biggest talent walkouts the studio ever faced.

NEWS
• Why KPop Demon Hunters and Pixar’s Elio leading the Annie nominations could matter as Academy voting begins
• The third Avatar film dominates the box office again as Zootopia 2 closes in on Lion King-level numbers
• GKIDS picks up Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom for a Halloween release
• Remembering composer Guy Moon and his legacy across The Fairly OddParents, Danny Phantom, and more

FEATURE
• How shrinking FX animation departments in the 1970s quietly changed Disney’s films
• Why Don Bluth created Banjo the Woodpile Cat as a “training exercise pretending to be a movie”
• Ron Miller’s rejection of Banjo and how that decision helped trigger Bluth’s mass exit from Disney
• The ripple effects that delayed The Fox and the Hound, reshaped the studio, and helped set the stage for Disney’s 1980s reboot

HOSTS
• Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com
• Drew Taylor - IG: @drewtailored | X: @DrewTailored | Website: drewtaylor.work

FOLLOW
• Facebook: JimHillMediaNews
• Instagram: JimHillMedia
• TikTok: JimHillMedia

SUPPORT
Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia.

PRODUCTION CREDITS
Edited by Dave Grey
Produced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency

SPONSOR
This episode is sponsored by Unlocked Magic. Save on Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando tickets - sometimes up to 12 percent off - at UnlockedMagic.com. When you book, please let them know Drew and Jim sent you.

If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today.

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