Animator Greg Manwaring knows all the tricks of the trade
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” With this, his life’s philosophy, Walt Disney built his empire and, with his comforting cast of characters, enriched the world. Though Munich Animation head Greg Manwaring may never have an amusement park named after him, the 38-year-old American clearly lives by Disney’s golden rule. A noted animator in his own right — his credits include: The Lion King, Pocahontas, Roger Rabbit and Ren and Stimpy — Manwaring’s objective is to make Munich Animation “the major player in Europe within five years.”
The son of schoolteachers at an American army base in Würzburg, Manwaring lived in the Northern Bavarian town until attending college at the California Institute for the Arts from 1983 to 1987. There, at the university established by Walt and Roy Disney, the young, aspiring animator honed his craft, while already working for the best in the business. “Everyone wanted to get into Disney at that time, but few would make it. I lucked out. I was already working for them within my sophmore year!” Indeed the man, who is visibly moved when discussing the art of bringing drawings to life, was an animator for Sport Goofy in 1985 and for Steven Spielberg’s An American Tail in 1986.
It was during a taping of 1980s television’s dance/music show “Solid Gold” that Manwaring says he found a major key to excellence in animation. “They were doing a “passer-by” segment and I asked if I could do it,” explains the gregarious cartoonist. “They said, ‘We will ask you what your favorite song was as a kid. You’ll answer: “Help Me Rhonda.” We’ll ask why, and you’ll answer: “I was a little bit shy.”’ I love acting, so I said it like this: “Well, I was a little bit shy,” furthers Manwaring, coyly rubbing his face while acting out his timid line. “The director finally said, ‘That’s good, but how about if you think the word “well” instead of saying it?’ I tried and realized that his suggestion, what I now call “invisible thinking,” is what makes the difference between a good animator and a great one. The characters should show the inner thought process, just as we do!”
In addition to Manwaring’s numerous Hollywood friendships and his membership in the Academy of MotionsPictures Arts and Sciences — “I go to the Oscars every year! Not many people know me, but I just go in there and wish luck to all the nominees. It’s a riot! — the husband and father of two (Elizabeth 5, Catherine 18 months) also rubs elbows with the stars as an amateur magician. “I’ve even sold an illusion to Doug Henning.”
Late last year, Manwaring was approached by Munich Animation owner Eberhard Junkersdorf and offered the position ofmanaging the five year-old enterprise. “It was actually a friend of mine who had the job before me. He moved on to other things and recommended me for the spot,” explains the new executive. “Of all the cities I have worked in, Munich is, by far, my favorite, so it is perfect for me.” Ideal, too, according to Manwaring, is the chance to “take back our medium.” “Animators are unsung celebrities. We don’t even get residuals! A violin player will get residuals for playing on a film’s soundtrack, but we, who create the characters and give them personalities are the actors! I always used to think ‘if only some of us could get in the other seat.’ I’m the first, and I hope more animators will get into management, because we are the ones who can look out for our needs.” But Manwaring is not out for blood. He is simply a bleeding heart when it comes to protecting and promoting his trade.
In his role at the studio, Manwaring continues to have a hand in all aspects of animation. “Call me Sybil,” he laughs. His goal is to hire promising European animators and train them to Disney standards. Currently in the works at the Haidhausen-based company is the feature The Jester Till. The “idea man” has also masterminded concepts for a feature film and two television series. Walt Disney also said: “Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive.” If that’s so, Manwaring has a lot of explaining to do.
