How Would One Become A Disney Animator?

mickeymania1 · 07-09-2008, 08:29 AM

Ever since I was kid I knew I always wanted to become an animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I was shocked though when I found out that Disney was shutting down the traditional animation unit at the animation studios & doing COMPUTER WORK ONLY! After taht I turned in my drawing tools & picked up a hobby of writing. I basically forgot alot of my drawing skills as the years went on. I was amazed when John Lasseter (who I believe is now the closest thing to Walt Disney) became the new head at Walt Disney Feature Animation & decided that Disney Animation had to open up the traditional animation unit & so I renewed my interest in drawing & cartoons & started to draw again. Anyways I'm in high school right now headed into the 10th grade this September & I'm taking an arts class to get me all ready.

Anyways, I've been always wondering how to get a job as an animator down at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I'm gonna be taking a college couse in animation hopefully & after that I guess I'll have to move from my cozy lil' village in good ol' Ontario & move on down to California. What do y'all think I have to do to get my destiny dream job at Walt Disney Feature Animation.

Magic1 · 07-09-2008, 10:34 AM

This may sound a little corny, but follow your passions.

If your true passion is animation, you will learn all you can about the art (and science) and will pursue education every way you can (formal and not). Learn to draw, paint, and act. Choose your college carefully. Show that you want to be an animator through good, reflective decision making and a continuous honing of your skills (along with a good portfolio). Be realistic with yourself and be prepared to pay your dues perhaps doing less than feature animation and grueling work on the way there.

Best wishes in your journey and in following your passion,

.:Magic1:.

Disney_Guy · 07-10-2008, 12:32 AM

I'm kinda in the same shoes as you. Although, my dream job has always been to become a computer animator with [you guessed it], Pixar.
Now both 2D and CGI can be strikingly similar. A lot of animators in the computer animation field started out with 2D animation, or have a background in it.

Anyways, I have recently graduated high school, and been looking lots into colleges with computer animation field. Applied to some / accepted / plannings on what to do / where to go, etc. I just hope for the best, and I also wish you good luck with your plans, and just stick to your dreams and you would prevail.

PinkLavaLamp · 07-23-2008, 02:14 PM

Have you guys looked at Animation Mentor? The guys at Pixar started it and a few other big name animators teach the classes. It's an online school but it specializes in animation. http://www.animationmentor.com/

Disney_Guy · 07-29-2008, 07:19 PM

Wow, Animation Mentor looks really awesome.
I'm gonna have to look more into this site and see how it can benefit for me.

PinkLavaLamp · 07-31-2008, 12:42 PM

I also just recently found a page on the Disney wepage that may help some of us.
Walt Disney Animation Studios

MinnieHOlic · 07-08-2009, 01:44 PM

How old do you have to be to become a disney animator? do I have to finish College? How do I search for the job?, I mean contact the company?

believeinmagic4ever · 07-08-2009, 04:37 PM

Ok so I was watching this interview on YouTube with Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck to this day. He said that he went to CalArts and studied there and from there went to becoming an animator for Disney. That's what I think i'm going to do. It looks like a neat college!

MinnieHOlic · 07-09-2009, 07:17 AM

Well I want to work at Disney animation studio in Burbank ,California. How many studios are they in the US?

Executioner · 07-09-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by believeinmagic4ever

Ok so I was watching this interview on YouTube with Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck to this day. He said that he went to CalArts and studied there and from there went to becoming an animator for Disney. That's what I think i'm going to do. It looks like a neat college!

Yes CalArts is a big school that has been a part of Disney life since Walt. Walt has made considerable contributions to the school and many an animator from Disney has gone there. Same with Pixar animators. Hence the number you see alot in Pixar films like on license plates and such. It is to a room in CalArts.

believeinmagic4ever · 07-09-2009, 04:29 PM

^ Yeah i've always noticed that. That's awesome!

lpetiti · 07-09-2009, 04:39 PM

Go animators! I too want to be an animator, actually, I'm leaving tommorow for a summer program at CalArts to study animation. My advice is draw everything, everything, everything!

believeinmagic4ever · 07-09-2009, 10:51 PM

^ Oh lucky you! I wish I had known about it. But also, I live pretty far away from CalArts, so I can't go to that.

MinnieHOlic · 07-10-2009, 03:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lpetiti

Go animators! I too want to be an animator, actually, I'm leaving tommorow for a summer program at CalArts to study animation. My advice is draw everything, everything, everything!

Summer pogram? thats interesting! How old are you? where did you signed up? I also wanted to go! I cant found a better way to spend my summer!!!

07-09-2008, 08:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
mickeymania1 People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Rabbit Hole Posts: 303	How Would One Become A Disney Animator? Ever since I was kid I knew I always wanted to become an animator at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I was shocked though when I found out that Disney was shutting down the traditional animation unit at the animation studios & doing COMPUTER WORK ONLY! After taht I turned in my drawing tools & picked up a hobby of writing. I basically forgot alot of my drawing skills as the years went on. I was amazed when John Lasseter (who I believe is now the closest thing to Walt Disney) became the new head at Walt Disney Feature Animation & decided that Disney Animation had to open up the traditional animation unit & so I renewed my interest in drawing & cartoons & started to draw again. Anyways I'm in high school right now headed into the 10th grade this September & I'm taking an arts class to get me all ready. Anyways, I've been always wondering how to get a job as an animator down at Walt Disney Feature Animation. I'm gonna be taking a college couse in animation hopefully & after that I guess I'll have to move from my cozy lil' village in good ol' Ontario & move on down to California. What do y'all think I have to do to get my destiny dream job at Walt Disney Feature Animation.
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07-09-2008, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Magic1 People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 623 Images: 5	This may sound a little corny, but follow your passions. If your true passion is animation, you will learn all you can about the art (and science) and will pursue education every way you can (formal and not). Learn to draw, paint, and act. Choose your college carefully. Show that you want to be an animator through good, reflective decision making and a continuous honing of your skills (along with a good portfolio). Be realistic with yourself and be prepared to pay your dues perhaps doing less than feature animation and grueling work on the way there. Best wishes in your journey and in following your passion, .:Magic1:.
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

07-10-2008, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Disney_Guy "Name's Guy, Disney_Guy." People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,410 Images: 13	I'm kinda in the same shoes as you. Although, my dream job has always been to become a computer animator with [you guessed it], Pixar. Now both 2D and CGI can be strikingly similar. A lot of animators in the computer animation field started out with 2D animation, or have a background in it. Anyways, I have recently graduated high school, and been looking lots into colleges with computer animation field. Applied to some / accepted / plannings on what to do / where to go, etc. I just hope for the best, and I also wish you good luck with your plans, and just stick to your dreams and you would prevail.
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

07-23-2008, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
PinkLavaLamp People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake County, UT Posts: 75	Have you guys looked at Animation Mentor? The guys at Pixar started it and a few other big name animators teach the classes. It's an online school but it specializes in animation. http://www.animationmentor.com/ __________________ "Eat, drink and be mary. For tomorrow you may diet." - A fourtune cookie "COMBAT COLD-CUTS! WHHAAAA!!" My Countdown Counting down to: First trip to WDW! 344 days 6 hours 47 minutes
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07-29-2008, 07:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Disney_Guy "Name's Guy, Disney_Guy." People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,410 Images: 13	Wow, Animation Mentor looks really awesome. I'm gonna have to look more into this site and see how it can benefit for me.
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

07-31-2008, 12:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
PinkLavaLamp People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake County, UT Posts: 75	I also just recently found a page on the Disney wepage that may help some of us. Walt Disney Animation Studios __________________ "Eat, drink and be mary. For tomorrow you may diet." - A fourtune cookie "COMBAT COLD-CUTS! WHHAAAA!!" My Countdown Counting down to: First trip to WDW! 344 days 6 hours 47 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

07-08-2009, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
MinnieHOlic People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	How old do you have to be to become a disney animator? do I have to finish College? How do I search for the job?, I mean contact the company? __________________ :80 years of Minnie and Mickey!:
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07-08-2009, 04:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
believeinmagic4ever Don't mess with the witch People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 560	Ok so I was watching this interview on YouTube with Tony Anselmo, the voice of Donald Duck to this day. He said that he went to CalArts and studied there and from there went to becoming an animator for Disney. That's what I think i'm going to do. It looks like a neat college! __________________ "Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation." -Walt Disney My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas Day!! :D 33 days 7 hours 47 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

07-09-2009, 07:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
MinnieHOlic People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	Well I want to work at Disney animation studio in Burbank ,California. How many studios are they in the US? __________________ :80 years of Minnie and Mickey!: Last edited by MinnieHOlic; 07-09-2009 at 07:55 AM.
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07-09-2009, 04:29 PM	#11 (permalink)
believeinmagic4ever Don't mess with the witch People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 560	^ Yeah i've always noticed that. That's awesome! __________________ "Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation." -Walt Disney My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas Day!! :D 33 days 7 hours 47 minutes
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07-09-2009, 04:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
lpetiti People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: To far from home Posts: 449 Images: 2	Go animators! I too want to be an animator, actually, I'm leaving tommorow for a summer program at CalArts to study animation. My advice is draw everything, everything, everything! __________________ This message was brought to you by SAND! Yes, sand! It's everywhere, get used to it! "I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the Park (Disneyland). I want to feel they're in another world." -Walt Disney
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07-09-2009, 10:51 PM	#13 (permalink)
believeinmagic4ever Don't mess with the witch People who found this post helpful: Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Clovis, CA Posts: 560	^ Oh lucky you! I wish I had known about it. But also, I live pretty far away from CalArts, so I can't go to that. __________________ "Animation can explain whatever the mind of man can conceive. This facility makes it the most versatile and explicit means of communication yet devised for quick mass appreciation." -Walt Disney My Countdown Counting down to: Christmas Day!! :D 33 days 7 hours 47 minutes
	Did you find this post helpful? Yes \| No

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