Disney Animators, "the officially unofficial tweets of the Walt Disney Animation Studios Animation Department," tweeted last night that John Kahrs, best known as the director of Disney's fantastic, Oscar-winning short film, Paperman, has left the studio.
Goodbye @john_kahrs. Thank you for all you brought to our studio. The best of luck to you, sir.
— Disney Animators (@DisneyAnimators) August 31, 2013
Kahrs started off as an animator at Pixar, working on A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, The Incredibles and Ratatouille, before moving to Walt Disney Animation Studios. There he also animated on Bolt, before stepping up to animation supervisor on Tangled. Then he stepped up further still, to directorial capacity, with the visually groundbreaking and narratively beautiful urban fairytale, Paperman, which preceded Wreck-It Ralph in cinemas. Paperman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film; thanks to the sterling work of Mr. Kahrs, it was the first Disney short film to win that award since 1969.
While it's certainly sad to see the Mouse House lose such great talent, going off DisneyAnimators' tweets, the parting seems to be on entirely good terms. Just take a look at the beautiful farewell present he was given!
Amazing parting gift for @john_kahrs. A fantastic paper sculpture by @britsketch! Each plane signed by an animator. pic.twitter.com/RlE9KrmHpt
— Disney Animators (@DisneyAnimators) August 31, 2013
Regardless, we here at A113Animation wish John all the best in whatever he tries next! We know it's going to be great.
