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

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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…

[Read more…] about Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough (Part 2) :: ArtCast #111

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

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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…

[Read more…] about Disney Toy Designer Zach Gracia On Why You Probably Haven’t Failed Enough :: ArtCast #110

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

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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…

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

Visual Development Mythbusting :: ArtCast #108

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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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Creative Bravery: Why Animation Pros Sarah Marino and Jenn Ely Thrive In A Challenging Industry :: ArtCast #102

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ArtCast102-PostArt

This month, Sarah Marino (Color Supervisor at Nickelodeon), Jenn Ely (Production Designer for House Special, Visual Development Artist for Dreamworks) and I are teaching a new online workshop called First Flight: How To Create Your New Career In Visual Development.

I invited them both to join me here on The ArtCast to promote First Flight and talk about how they achieved such significant success in their animation careers…

Episode Highlights include:

  • Turning fear into faith.
  • Becoming more professional by de-emotionalizing your creative process.
  • Why we stopped caring about job titles.
  • How fear cost Jenn a a big opportunity (and why she’ll never make that mistake again).
  • Why Sarah had to climb through a human hamster wheel. (That’s not a metaphor.)
  • Inspiring gumball machines and the healing power of ice cream.
  • Is a successful animation career worth the cost?

[Read more…] about Creative Bravery: Why Animation Pros Sarah Marino and Jenn Ely Thrive In A Challenging Industry :: ArtCast #102