Good news, folks!

I know all of you have been waiting with supreme patience for some results of the submission of your questions to the Walt Disney Animation's Publiciy Department, which were to be forwarded to Zootopia director Byron Howard to answer.  We've all had to wait a long time (over two months), and I don't doubt that some of you, by now, firmly believe that the answers from Byron were never going to materialize.  And I couldn't possibly blame you at this point.  But there is a bright light at the end of that long tunnel!

Unexpectedly, I received an e-mail yesterday afternoon from Amy Astley, the director of the publicity department at Walt Disney Animation, and she asked if she could telephone me.  I was surprised, but when I saw the e-mail (a few hours after it was sent...I was out at the time), I responded right away and agreed to it!  This was the culmination of a multiple e-mail exchange between her and I, where I was expressing my concerns that this was never, ever going to happen, and I was frustrated and feeling a little embarrassed.  That I wanted this to be a win-win for everyone...it would make Disney look great, it would make Byron Howard look great, and it would make all of you very happy.  And I wouldn't come off looking like a liar, or someone who made a big sell of something that never actually had a chance.  lol  The alternative to a win-win would have been much worse, and would have left Disney and Byron (and myself) looking rather bad.

Amy once again asked me to understand the rigors of working in a major production company like Disney (which I do, and I respectfully acknowledged to her), that everyone is very, very busy (Richard Moore is busy on the production of the Wreck-It Ralph sequel, and the animation department just recently wrapped up all that work on Moana).  She also explained that Byron Howard just came off of a long sabbatical, and that he is going to be going right back into their next project (which she didn't specify).  I expressed my pleasant surprise and gratitude at her willingness to actually take the time out of her busy work day to talk with me, just an ordinary fan, by telephone.  I also told her that, while I've never worked in that particular end of the industry, I have worked in FM radio, so I understand the rigors and demands of the entertainment industry.  At least in terms of the parts I played in that particular facet of the industry (off-air and on), so I respect and understand what she was describing.

However, she expressed her admiration to you all for your love of Zootopia, and has been over to see Animation Source, and loves the dedication and fandom to Disney's various movies and series.  She says that they've talked this matter out, and realize the importance of showing the fans how much they appreciate their dedication and their love of Disney productions, and of their faith in their company and its directors, and feel duty-bound to acknowledge and support that.  And that they are going to get with Byron to finish up the answers to all the questions, and return them to us very soon!    She says they are happy that these questions come from such a broad fan base (internationally-speaking), and thanks everyone for their intelligent and complex questions...and is pleased that this effort will be "for the fans, and not the press" (her words).

She asked for just a little more patience, and assured me that we WILL be seeing these answers from Byron soon!  She again expressed her continuing appreciation and gratitude to you all!

--BaltoSeppala