Somewhere Out There: My Animated Life

by Don Bluth

Overview

After more than five decades in Hollywood, Don Bluth, the man behind some of the most iconic animated films ever made, tells his story.

Don Bluth never felt like a Donald. So people have always called him Don. A matinee of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs awakened something within him. Despite growing up in rural Texas and Utah, he practiced and worked hard to become an Hollywood animator. And after working alongside his idol Walt Disney, and on films including Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, Winne the Pooh, The Rescuers, and Pete’s Dragon, he realized that the company had changed into something he didn’t necessarily believe in. So made the industry-shocking decision to start his own animation studio.

It was from that studio—Don’s studio—that came such award-winning, generation-defining films as The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Anastasia, and the video game Dragon’s Lair.

Now, after more than half a century in the movie business, Don is ready to tell the story of his life. How his passions for artistry, integrity, and his Mormon faith shaped him into the beloved icon whose creativity, entrepreneurship, and deeply-held beliefs entertained, enthralled, and inspired millions across the globe.

Exclusive original art makes this book perfect for fans, cineasts, and anyone looking “somewhere out there” for inspiration and motivation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781637740538
Publisher:	BenBella Books, Inc.
Publication date:	07/19/2022
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	245,316
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Don Bluth is an award-winning director, animator, production and video game designer, and teacher. His films, including The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, The Land Before Time, All Dogs Go to Heaven, and Anastasia have entertained and shaped the childhoods of untold millions. His company, Don Bluth Studios, continues creating and innovating animation and filmmaking.

Table of Contents

Prologue vii

Act I The Stage Is Set

Chapter 1 A Humble Beginning 1

Chapter 2 The Awakening 9

Chapter 3 Life on the Farm 13

Chapter 4 The Rites of Passage 35

Chapter 5 A New Beginning in Salt Lake City 43

Chapter 6 Back to the Country 59

Chapter 7 California, Here I Am 73

Chapter 8 Look for the Silver Lining 81

Chapter 9 Welcome to the Mouse House 91

Act II The Greatest Treasure a Man Can Acquire

Chapter 10 The Call 107

Chapter 11 Coming Down from the Clouds 125

Chapter 12 The Hidden Treasure 143

Chapter 13 Learning from the Best 153

Chapter 14 The Turning Point 171

Act III Windows of Heaven

Chapter 15 Welcome to Don Bluth Productions 197

Chapter 16 The Secret of NIMH's Lessons in Self-Reliance 203

Chapter 17 Lessons in Faith with Dragon's Lair 221

Chapter 18 An American Tail's Lessons in Patience 233

Chapter 19 Finding Family in The Land Before Time 245

Chapter 20 Making Friends with All Dogs Go to Heaven 257

Chapter 21 Riding Through Storms with Rock-a-Doodle 269

Chapter 22 Fables and Fairy Tales: A Troll in Central Park and Thumbelina 281

Chapter 23 The Pebble and the Penguin and the Stuff of Dreams 293

Chapter 24 From Rags to Riches with Anastasia 299

Chapter 25 The Perilous Path of Bartok the Magnificent and Titan A. E. 311

Chapter 26 New Ground to Plow 319

Chapter 27 The Windows of Heaven Open Once More 325

Chapter 28 "Lead on, Adventurer! Your Quest Awaits!" 337

Chapter 29 The Prodigal Son Returns 343

Chapter 30 My Laughin' Place 349

Epilogue 353

Acknowledgments 355

Index 359