The Visual Storytelling Podcast:

Disney Visual Development Artist/ Illustrator Chris Oatley helps Artists and Writers find healthy, fulfilling careers in Animation, Games, Comics, Film and Illustration.

Theme Parks Concept Artist Chris Bradley On Building A Dream Career :: ArtCast #112

By Chris Oatley

How would you prepare for a career in a mysterious industry like Theme Park Design where information about job requirements and current projects are almost impossible to find?

…and what would you do if you were stuck in a desert (literal and creative) with little more than a stack of comics, a Disney Imagineering book and a school trip to Disneyland to guide you?

Concept Artist Chris Bradley is here to share how he went from working construction to designing Theme Park attractions for Disney Imagineering, 20th Century Fox and Hasbro!

You’ll also get to hear how Chris thinks when he visits a Theme Park and learn about his favorite attractions.

…and at the end of the interview, he shares some challenging advice for aspiring Theme Park Concept Artists…

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough (Part 2) :: ArtCast #111

By Chris Oatley

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia continues his story today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast!

In part one of this series, Zach told the story of how he challenged his family’s expectations to pursue an artistic career, struggled through art school and avoided debt by working multiple jobs (including some uncomfortable internships).

…and when he finally got a chance at an interview with Disney Animation, he completely blew it.

Now, in Part 2, Zach tells us:

How he finally broke in at Disney.
Why all the struggle was all worth it.
Why Mentorship is so crucial for success in the entertainment industry…

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough :: ArtCast #110

By Chris Oatley

What would you do if you struggled for seven years to finally get an interview for your dream job at Disney…

…and then completely blew it?

Would you give up?

…create a “Plan B”?

What if you had already tried “Plan B”?

…or would you hold onto hope for a second chance, humble yourself and double your efforts?

Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia shares the first part of his story today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast!

Episode Highlights:

Redefining hard work.
Challenging your family’s expectations by pursuing an artistic career.
The struggle of getting through art school without going into debt.
The unglamorous life of a Disney Theme Park intern.

…and what happens when you go into an interview at Disney Animation unprepared…

How To Fail Like A Professional Artist (…and Find Inspiration In The Process) :: ArtCast #109

By Chris Oatley

So you trashed your last project and started over… …and then again. …and then again.

…is that because you just aren’t meant to be an artist?

…or is it simply because you’re ambitious?

So you spent your weekend sleeping instead of drawing… Is that lazy? …or healthy?

Are you blocked? …or just solving the wrong problem?

Is failure useful for you? …or destructive?

Today on The Oatley Academy ArtCast, we share five “Failure Flip Tips” to help you turn failure into a tool that’s just as useful as your favorite pencil…

Visual Development Mythbusting :: ArtCast #108

By Chris Oatley

What is the difference between drawing and design?

When working for a studio, does your personal aesthetic matter?

Are you thoroughly exploring your story ideas or are you stopping too soon?

What do Pixar’s Coco and The Shining have in common?

And how can you get out of your own head and bring more freedom to your creative process?

Today, Mentees from First Flight, our most recent Master Class at The Oatley Academy, join me for some Visual Development MYTHBUSTING…

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