The Walt Disney Animation Studios CG & Art intern program is a well-respected program full of diverse individuals aspiring in animation careers around the world. Each summer the internship accepts several talented students who work closely with mentoring Disney animators to learn the tricks of the trade. Students accepted this summer were challenged a bit differently than in the past. Under the guidance of animators, art directors, and editors students were tasked with working together to create something beautiful.
It’s interesting to note that although in normal years, interns were tasked with individual responsibilities related to their discipline with the overall goal of creating a piece of art for viewing. This year, interns were given a little more responsibility. For example, although lighting may be a specialty, interns were expected to take on all responsibilities related to creating their project.
Alessandro Jacomini, Director of Photography and Lighting (mentor), has this to say about his summer interns, “We wanted to make sure to help them decide where they want to go with the continuation of their academic career, but also their professional career beyond that. They told us this experience helped to clarify ideas or reinforce their intuition.”
In terms of making the decision to pick specific quality in participants, Jacomini went on to describe the criteria they were looking for as “artists that were great and had a strong sensibility, but at the same time we could perceive that they would be able to collaborate and tackle multiple disciplines.”
Through the program, interns met daily with mentors who provided ongoing support to their project, eventually culminating in a 30 second short that we absolutely fell in love with:
“Voilà,” was born out of a successful semester this summer. Only eight weeks of work concluded in this wonderful and beautiful short. Keep in mind that only 5 people worked on this, all sharing equal responsibility.
This short really resonated with me, and I’m certain that’s what it’s creators were going for. As a father, I was compelled immediately to think about the hard work that my children put into projects and how they often are seeking my approval. My reaction to their efforts can either ignite or falter their creative personalities and ideas. Crazy how you can feel all of that based on a 30 second Disney short, huh?
However, that’s what makes it such a wonderful achievement for these young, talented, and aspiring artists. These interns obviously learned a boatload of information regarding animation and how Disney does it, and we feel strongly that they’ve all got bright futures ahead of them!
In closing, the Walt Disney Animation Studio intern program is a key component to the future development of the Disney brand in terms of film. The fostering of creative minds and technical genius that the program seems to harbor is based solidly in a unique and vast “organic culture.” The ability of Disney to allow these students to take place in meetings, have undenied access to mentors and resources, as well as feel as though they are part of the Disney animation team seems like a mixture for future success, and “Voilà” is proof!
Courtesy of OhMyDisney.com
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