How to be a Disney Director?

[disneyprincess11]

So, I'm seriously considering being a director for Disney when I'm grown-up. I want to make the next The Lion King, The Princess and the Frog etc. Well, not the next, but you get the point. I have great ideas like The Nutcracker and The Phantom Tollbooth (read the book; it's defientely needs a Disney makeover ) and I have a sketchbook and everything. But, the problem is that I don't know the requirements of being a director at WDAS. Anyone help me, please?

[Prince Edward]

Perhaps this is helpful... Good luck!:)

http://www.disneyanimation.com/careers/index.html

[steve]

Most directors at Disney Animation these days start as story artists, some as animators. However, they rarely, if ever, enter the company with the sole intent of becoming directors, nor does Disney just hire directors for their animated films. People generally just work their way up. As such, there are no "requirements", but an education in animation at college level would be a good starting point...

[SWillie!]

First off, good luck! (Not meant in a sarcastic way, but just in a "seriously, you're going to need it" kind of way)

Animation Directing is EXTREMELY competitive. Animation in general is one of the most competitive careers there is, and so Directing for it is that much more difficult to get in. Especially at Disney.

Your first step is going to be a college education majoring in animation and film. There are lots of schools at this point that have animation programs, like Ringling, USC, College for Creative Studies... but the school that basically produces about 75% of Disney animation artists and probably about 90% of Disney's directors thus far is CalArts.

I'm not sure if you know anything about CalArts, but it's an extreeeeeeemely hard school to get into... you need to be VERY good. They have a waiting list of about 200 people at any given time, and so to be accepted the first time you apply you need to be better than all 200 of those people. And on top of that it is very, very expensive.

BUT the good news is that if you do get into CalArts, their program is amazing. They have classes specifically made for "Directing for Animation".

John Lasseter, Chris Sanders, John Musker, Ron Clements, Don Hahn, Byron Howard, (I believe) Nathan Greno, Brad Bird, and many many other big names in animation went to CalArts.

After school, you would start your career (most likely) in Story Development, and work your way up to Director. Disney will never hire someone straight on as a director. That title has to be earned.

It's a very tough industry. I hope you pursue it though, it's well worth it. I hope this helped

[disneyprincess11]

First off, good luck! (Not meant in a sarcastic way, but just in a "seriously, you're going to need it" kind of way)

Animation Directing is EXTREMELY competitive. Animation in general is one of the most competitive careers there is, and so Directing for it is that much more difficult to get in. Especially at Disney.

Your first step is going to be a college education majoring in animation and film. There are lots of schools at this point that have animation programs, like Ringling, USC, College for Creative Studies... but the school that basically produces about 75% of Disney animation artists and probably about 90% of Disney's directors thus far is CalArts.

I'm not sure if you know anything about CalArts, but it's an extreeeeeeemely hard school to get into... you need to be VERY good. They have a waiting list of about 200 people at any given time, and so to be accepted the first time you apply you need to be better than all 200 of those people. And on top of that it is very, very expensive.

BUT the good news is that if you do get into CalArts, their program is amazing. They have classes specifically made for "Directing for Animation".

John Lasseter, Chris Sanders, John Musker, Ron Clements, Don Hahn, Byron Howard, (I believe) Nathan Greno, Brad Bird, and many many other big names in animation went to CalArts.

After school, you would start your career (most likely) in Story Development, and work your way up to Director. Disney will never hire someone straight on as a director. That title has to be earned.

It's a very tough industry. I hope you pursue it though, it's well worth it. I hope this helped

Thanks Swillie, steve, and Prince Edward!

Swillie, I do know about CalArts b/c Walt found it, and all of the Disney directors go there. I'm really concerned about CalArts b/c how hard is it, and I would want to go there or UCLA for grad. school.

I can't go to USC nor College for Creative Studies right now b/c:

A) They're in Calfiornia. I live in Maryland. Too far from home, and most importantly...
B) I'm disabled (not badly, all I have is tough speech issues and my muscles for my right arm are weak), so for now I need to live with my parents.

But, Ringling is in Florida and that's more closer than CA, so my parents may be fine with FL (I seriously doubt it though). For now, I'm looking at American U for Film/Video since it's near home.

I'm not good at animation. Do any of you know that'll affect my chances of being a Disney director? Also, how much experience you need to be in the Story department?

[SWillie!]

Well actually College for Creative Studies is in Detroit, MI. So I don't know if that's any better for you or not...

You should know that CalArts does NOT offer a graduate program. You'd have to basically do another undergrad.

As for skills in animation, obviously it's better if you understand the process first hand. Most directors have animated at least at some point in their career. It's not imperative that directors be good at the actual animation aspect, and there are plenty of directors that don't animate at all. But certainly the more you know, the more valued a director you will be.

[ajmrowland]

First requirement: you need to work at Disney Animation.

all of the stuff that's required to be an animator at any studio should help you get there.

[disneyprincess11]

Well actually College for Creative Studies is in Detroit, MI. So I don't know if that's any better for you or not...

You should know that CalArts does NOT offer a graduate program. You'd have to basically do another undergrad.

As for skills in animation, obviously it's better if you understand the process first hand. Most directors have animated at least at some point in their career. It's not imperative that directors be good at the actual animation aspect, and there are plenty of directors that don't animate at all. But certainly the more you know, the more valued a director you will be.

Oh ok! Gracias. Anything else I should know?

Thanks, ajmrowland BTW!

[SWillie!]

Well actually College for Creative Studies is in Detroit, MI. So I don't know if that's any better for you or not...

You should know that CalArts does NOT offer a graduate program. You'd have to basically do another undergrad.

As for skills in animation, obviously it's better if you understand the process first hand. Most directors have animated at least at some point in their career. It's not imperative that directors be good at the actual animation aspect, and there are plenty of directors that don't animate at all. But certainly the more you know, the more valued a director you will be.

Oh ok! Gracias. Anything else I should know?

Thanks, ajmrowland BTW!

I would say my biggest piece of advice is to come up with as many original story ideas as you possibly can. I'm sure your versions of the stories you mentioned are great, but Disney most likely only hires story artists who have a knack for coming up with original, creative ideas for stories that aren't based on existing stories.

[PatrickvD]

Most directors start out as animators. That's just how it goes. I'd work on my drawing skills if I were you and if you're serious about it, go study arts. CAL arts is where it's at, but you need to be insanely talented to get in. Computer animation is also booming.

Anyway, good luck! One thing though, this is a BIG dream and you need to enjoy drawing or painting or writing even if it means you'll be broke. You need to love it and breathe it. Also, work on a portfolio and shop it around. See what professionals say.

[disneyprincess11]

ok thanks so much guys!