Walt Disney

When " Walt Disney " is mentioned, we can surely see faces of children and even adults light up with looks of sheer joy. Walt Disney was a man of dreams. He dreamed big dreams. And he made his dreams come true.

Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicage Illinois. As a young boy, Walt had deep interest in art and would often sells his artpieces to neighbours to earn extra income. He studied in Mckinley Art School in Chicago to study art and photography. Although his family is very poor, his mother, Flora Call Disney and his brother, Roy were very supportive in insisting Walt to pursue his dreams. In 1918, Walt signed up for military service because he wanted to protect his country but was turned down due to his young age. However, being rejected, Walt was not discouraged. He then joined the Red Cross and was sent to France to become a chauffeur and ambulance driver. To prevent himself from being captured, he covered his ambulance with bright lively Disney cartoons instead of a usual war vehicle camouflage such as leaves and stems.

Once returned from France in 1921, he formed an animation company called Laugh-O-Gram Films. However, the company went bankrupt because his distributor ran out of business. He barely have any money left and even resorted to eat dog food. With just 20 dollars, he went to Hollywood in hope to start his career again. With the help of his brother, Roy O.Disney who brought in resources and capital to open up a shop in Walt’s uncle garage, they were able to received an order to New York for their first Alice in Cartoonland or The Alies Comedies. The brothers then expanded their production operation and was able to make the Alies Comedies a success and soon became a recognized Hollywood figure.

On July 13,  1925, Walt married one of his employees, Lilian Bounds and was blessed with two daughters, Diane and Sharon. Three years after marriage, Walt created a new animated character whick we all knew and love till today which is Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse made its screen debut in Steamboat Willie as the world’s first synchronized cartoon. In 1932, the production entitled Flowers and Trees which is the first coloured cartoon won Walt’s first Studio Academy Award and in 1937, Walt released “The Old Mill” which is the first short to utilize the multi-plane camera technique.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is the first full-lengthed animated musical feature which was premiered at the Cathway Theatre in Los Angelas on  21^st December 1937. This film is still considered one of the great feats and imperishable monument of the motion picture industry. After the next five years, Walt Disney Studios created full length animations such as Pinnochio, Fantasia, Dumbo and Bambi. His great love of fantasy and the great lack of family entertainment in America inspired Walt to build a park of his own. A family park where parents and children could have fun together. Walt Disney dream came true as Disneyland was opened in 1955.

Here I include a quote from Walt Disney that I really loved and motivates me in whatever that I am doing which is “Do What You Love”

            “Disneyland is a work of love. We didn’t go into Disneyland just with the idea of making money”

To me, this quote means you must always follow your passion, if you are doing it just for the money, it definetely won’t last. This is because passion is what gives you the strength to overcome the obstacles associated with your every dream. Passion is also what keeps you going when everyone else is tired. Money will never do that for you. Always bear in mind, passion is power.

Here I would also want to feature a video that descibe the Mickey Mouse history. Please enjoy !

Mickey Mouse History - " It all started with a mouse "