 On September 2, 1941, the "Reporter" announced that Avery had signed a five-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he was to form his own animation unit and direct shorts in Technicolor.By 1942, Avery was in the employ of MGM, working in their cartoon division under the supervision of Fred Quimby.Avery felt that Schlesinger had stifled him.