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

07-09-2008, 08:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
mickeymania1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Elora, Ontario Posts: 195 My Mood:	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.

07-10-2008, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Disney_Guy "Name's Guy, Disney_Guy." Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,131 Images: 10 My Mood:	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. __________________ Disney_Guy's top 3 films of 2008 (Thus far): 1. WALL•E 2. The Dark Knight 3. Pineapple Express Four out of three Americans in our country don't know how to use fractions properly.

07-23-2008, 02:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
PinkLavaLamp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake County, UT Posts: 41 My Mood:	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: Feb. Disneyland Trip 84 days 12 hours 21 minutes

07-29-2008, 07:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
Disney_Guy "Name's Guy, Disney_Guy." Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,131 Images: 10 My Mood:	Wow, Animation Mentor looks really awesome. I'm gonna have to look more into this site and see how it can benefit for me. __________________ Disney_Guy's top 3 films of 2008 (Thus far): 1. WALL•E 2. The Dark Knight 3. Pineapple Express Four out of three Americans in our country don't know how to use fractions properly.

07-31-2008, 12:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
PinkLavaLamp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Salt Lake County, UT Posts: 41 My Mood:	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: Feb. Disneyland Trip 84 days 12 hours 21 minutes

07-09-2008, 10:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Magic1 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 645 Images: 5 My Mood:	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:.

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