Marty Sklar, former head of Imagineering, announces retirement

[HMF]

Originally Posted by migy21

Its about time he has been a pioneer and should be enjoying the fruits of his hard work.

If only he retired before he sold his soul.

[Ghostbuster626]

Epcot Center was the only thing worthwhile that he did. Why can't he take Tom Fitzgerald with him on the way out??

[Mr Wiggins]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

We would love to hear your thoughts on this news. What was Marty's impact on the company? Will his support of Eisner and cheerleading for California Adventure cloud his legacy? What are his lasting achievements?

No comment.

[Tomorrowland_1967]

Originally Posted by Dustysage

We would love to hear your thoughts on this news. What was Marty's impact on the company? Will his support of Eisner and cheerleading for California Adventure cloud his legacy? What are his lasting achievements?

Well .. his accomplishments are many, and will always be remembered. If there was a person out of Walt's era who really understood the High Standard and level of artistic integrity that went into the various Disney theme park projects .. he would. HOWEVER .. when it came to the character toon additions into 'it's a small world' .. a "populists" move to make the very artistic vision of the classic attraction more commercial .... I felt something was very wrong with him defending it.

I don't believe he believed that was an "improvement". But I believe "corporate" put him up to it .. and most likely decided he was not going to upset 'the apple cart' .. (and his retirement benefits!) ...... and go 'with the flow'. That is - the corporate flow.

So .. I appreciate what he did in the past ....
But now .. the "small world" tooning .. is leaving the door open ... since he basically "approved" of it publically ....... and I'm gravely concerned for the future of Disney parks .. as they evolve more into mammoth TOON Adventures.

Mr. Sklar ...
your achievements of the past .. offered an impact that spurred the "growing adult" in us all.

And as you leave the company .. It would be nice you tell the staff ... Keep the parks with some level of "maturity". Not everyone goes looking for a "kindergarTOON" romp.

[WOKcreative]

He will be greatly missed there. He's been a part of everything all along. He was Walt's speech writer for a while, making him very close to and holding to what was important to Walt. Credit should be given where it is due - Epcot and Tokyo Disney Sea are examples to look at, where budget was much more unlimited and dreams of what could be done were allowed to be more unlimited; not focusing on something like DCA with too many bean counters from other parts of the company involved.
He had a great, positive influence, even after stepping down from being Chief Creative and staying on as a consulting ambassador, which he will probably continue to do anyway - I can't see him stepping away completely (as he even said).
The way others felt shows clearly, in being asked by Card Walker to even take on Epcot and to be asked to stay on as an ambassador.
I can't wait for his book to come out - an insider's look at the insiders!
He deserves much respect - especially from those that love the theme parks so much, and for all the reasons that they do. He has truly carried on the dream!

just my two shiny, new Lincoln cents

[Eagleman]

I wish him the best!

[Walt Jr.]

I admire him for his many contributions over the years. As with some other posters, I do think that his involvements in some projects including DCA began the mark for his eventual retirement.

He has done many wonderful things, but in the last few years, I fear that imagination fell to corporation.

In any case, that is still no reason to deny the many good things he has done for Disney in the last 30 to 40 years.

His contributions will forever be remembered after his retirement.

But yes, I to have lost some respect for him, beginning with DCA.

[Kimickey]

Marty's work for the Walt Disney Compny is well and truly done - in a company that no longer asks "What Would Walt Do?", but rather "What Does Jay Want?" - he no longer has the political clout to move a creative agenda foreward.

More's the pity.

Kimickey

[Mr Wiggins]

Originally Posted by Kimickey

...he no longer has the political clout to move a creative agenda foreward.

If he indeed was the author of that open letter about the IASW changes, the lack of political clout wasn't the issue, the exercise of political clout was.

As to agenda, it was quite clear -- and had nothing to do with creativity.

[Ride Warrior]

In recent years, Marty has beome an expert at using disneyspeak to say nothing. One could really come to dislike the guy if all they associate him with is the downer stuff ..DCA, the DL Paris "Studios", and Hong Wrong, Disneyland, and Jay Rasu-low.

One has to note though that the man was in charge of the design and development of the shiniest pearl among theme parks on Earth ..that being DisneySea.

in the 50's he was in charge of the DL's publicity department long before Disneysqueak turned the corporation into the ivory tower of babel. He also created The Disneyland News. He's remained with WDI ever since it's previous name, WED enterprises.

He worked on putting Walt's pavilion together at the 1964 world's Fair, and helped design classic attractions such as Small World and the Enchanted Tiki Room. The first park he guided the creative development of was EPCOT (Center) during the 70's ..was vp of concepts and planning for that park.

I think that his personal friend and role model Walt Disney would want us to revere Marty Sklar as his retirement draws near. That I will do by professing that nobody will ever fill this wonderful man of fantasy turned positive reality ..the international ambassador for Walt Disney Imagineering.

We love you Marty. Live long and inspire!

[Ride Warrior]

Originally Posted by Mr Wiggins

If he indeed was the author of that open letter about the IASW changes, the lack of political clout wasn't the issue, the exercise of political clout was.

As to agenda, it was quite clear -- and had nothing to do with creativity.

The IASW open letter would have been a minor stumbling block. Nobody should mistake modesty for a person that is afraid to exercise political clout. The man is shrewd as they come. Again if he wrote the letter, he did so in the shadows in order to avoid stirring up an unnecessary fight.

[BlueSkyDriveBy]

Originally Posted by startours1

He will be missed. Does this mean promotion for Tony Baxter

Not a chance. Anyone with more than 20 years in the company is now at risk of being shown the door. The "old school" Imagineers have been slowly and systematically terminated (mostly non-voluntarily) over the past decade. With Marty's retirement, Baxter becomes the most senior Imagineer remaining.

Tony's 40th anniversary with Imagineering and 45th anniversary with the company will happen next year. I'm betting his "voluntary retirement" will follow shortly afterwards.

Originally Posted by HMF

More likely it means a promotion for Tom "Video Screens Rule" Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald was demoted and banished to DLP. He's been with Imagineering for over 30 years (hand-picked by Sklar to work on EPCOT), which puts him at risk for termination as well. Promotion is highly unlikely.

Originally Posted by Mr Wiggins

If he indeed was the author of that open letter about the IASW changes, the lack of political clout wasn't the issue, the exercise of political clout was.

As to agenda, it was quite clear -- and had nothing to do with creativity.

That pretty much says it all. As one poster commented previously, Sklar sold out years ago. He knew if he didn't tow the company line, his butt would have been kicked to the curb. Marty didn't want to leave Disney and did everything possible to appease his corporate masters in order to stay. The iasw letter was a stellar example.

[HMF]

Originally Posted by blueskydriveby

fitzgerald was demoted and banished to dlp. He's been with imagineering for over 30 years (hand-picked by sklar to work on epcot), which puts him at risk for termination as well. Promotion is highly unlikely.

yessssssssssss!

[MasterGracey]

Originally Posted by Mr Wiggins

If he indeed was the author of that open letter about the IASW changes, the lack of political clout wasn't the issue, the exercise of political clout was.

As to agenda, it was quite clear -- and had nothing to do with creativity.

Bingo.

Originally Posted by BlueSkyDriveBy

\That pretty much says it all. As one poster commented previously, Sklar sold out years ago. He knew if he didn't tow the company line, his butt would have been kicked to the curb. Marty didn't want to leave Disney and did everything possible to appease his corporate masters in order to stay. The iasw letter was a stellar example.

Integrity counts for a lot. Sklar would have done better to retire earlier and be regarded as an Imagineering legend instead of holding on for dear life and becoming a Jay Rasulo cheer leader.

The "Imagineering Ambassador" position was created especially for Marty after he got the boot from his Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Exec of Imagineering position. The Ambassador title is nothing more than a title and an excuse for Sklar to stay on the payroll and was a way for Disney to save face by not firing their oldest Cast Member when they had big layoffs in Imagineering a couple years ago.

Who wants to bet the Imagineering Ambassador title quietly disappears after July 17?

[stitchon]

Much like Michael Eisner, the pros of Marty's contributions to the Disney Company far outweigh the cons.

I only wish he could have done something like Disneysea for us, as opposed to getting stuck with California Adventure.