John Lasseter

Textbooks aren?t supposed to have personality. They aren?t supposed to be casual or friendly, welcoming a reader to investigate an unfamiliar subject. Textbooks are supposed to be rigid and factual. The late Walt Stanchfield didn?t seem to adhere to the usual textbook rules, though. During his 60-year career in animation, Stanchfield developed a penchant for thinking ? and drawing ? outside the box. While working for Disney in the 1970s and ?80s, he successfully established weekly drawing classes for young animators and other interested artists to learn from his experience.

For $7.4 billion, Burbank-based Disney gets the animation studio behind `Toy Story' and `The Incredibles.'MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- The Walt Disney Co. announced Tuesday that it is buying Pixar Animation Studios for $7.4 billion, a move that strengthens the company's grasp on the big dollars generated through animated filmmaking. The deal gives Disney an even greater creative library and access to popular characters from films such as "Toy Story," "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles," which can be cross-marketed in theme park rides and merchandising, and through emerging technologies.

Rev. Larry Stamper honored at Kiwanis dinner Programs for children supported by the Kiwanis Club of Burbank will benefit from the sixth annual gala dinner shared by friends of the Rev. Larry Stamper May 31 at Lakeside Golf Club. Stamper, pastor of the Burbank First United Methodist Church, was honored for 30 years of giving to his community. Under the theme "Lights, Camera, Action," a silent auction kicked off the proceedings followed by dinner and a live auction.

Textbooks aren?t supposed to have personality. They aren?t supposed to be casual or friendly, welcoming a reader to investigate an unfamiliar subject. Textbooks are supposed to be rigid and factual. The late Walt Stanchfield didn?t seem to adhere to the usual textbook rules, though. During his 60-year career in animation, Stanchfield developed a penchant for thinking ? and drawing ? outside the box. While working for Disney in the 1970s and ?80s, he successfully established weekly drawing classes for young animators and other interested artists to learn from his experience.