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…
Listen To The Episode:
[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]
Join Us For Our 10th Anniversary Celebration!
2018, marks the ten-year anniversary of The ArtCast!
If The ArtCast has a special place in your heart, please join us for our 10th Anniversary Celebration where you’ll get a sneak peek at our new album art, hear our new theme song and receive an invitation to our Birthday Party…
Awesome Links:
Music by Storybook Steve and Kangaralien
Share Your Thoughts…
What did you feel when you heard about the moment when Zach finally got his dream job at Disney…?
For some reason I never really thought about where you designs came from before Zach’s first interview. It makes me really excited just thinking about all these other art and design jobs out there that I’ve never thought about before!
Zach I really admire your dedication in your pursuit of Disney and your resourceful use of your best buy job as a way to get your first art job.
Thanks for the reply, Peri!
Yeah, it drives me crazy when parents or teachers tell artistic kids that there’s no way to make a living as an artist or storyteller when there are SO MANY gainfully employed artists and storytellers all over the world!
I am glad The ArtCast has helped to reveal some of these unexpected opportunities for you and I hope it does the same for many more aspiring pros!
Loved, loved, LOVED listening to this podcast! When he was talking about his last shift at work and his boss congratulating him and the fireworks going off… goosebumps. It was like it was my story and I was getting my dream job. It really made me pumped to get back to school this Fall and learn more about Illustration so that I can apply for FF this coming year! This whole two-part interview was just what I needed to hear to dig more deeply to follow my passion, to embrace the failures that have happened and will be coming my way, and to be my best, not just as an artist, but as a whole person. *smiles*
Thanks for the comment, Rachel! That is amazing to hear. I’m inspired to hear that the show (and specifically, the Zach series) has been so encouraging for you. When producing the episodes, I end up listening to them many, many times and the moment you’re describing (and several others throughout this series) only got more emotionally powerful the more times I listened to them. Zach is amazing. And yes, indeed, stay strong and stay close!
Great episode! Seriously, Zach’s story gave me goosebumps (especially the part with the fireworks haha)
His insistence that he didn’t get to where he is by himself is very reassuring. I’m intimidated by the entire concept of networking, but his comment on how his mentor went through her contacts with him and, I assume, coached him a little to approach people at Disney makes all the difference, doesn’t it?
And what I also find really inspiring is that he didn’t set out to work on toys, that he stumbled across it and it revealed itself to be The Thing for him. But also that he had the courage to go down this new path instead of sticking to his ‘old’ plans/goals, even though he’d never considered designing toys before. That’s really cool!
Thanks for producing and sharing this episode with us!
Hi, Mona!
I also loved hearing Zach talk about his mentors. In my opinion, an intelligent, emotionally invested Mentor who is a great communicator (and who has a great track record with their former and current students) is one of the most valuable investments an aspiring pro artist can make.
I agree that it’s important to note how “finding our calling” is often a collaboration between us, our circle(s) of trust, our Mentors etc. and not just some mysterious “I just knew” kind of thing…
@Mona & @Chris, I loved hearing the second half of this episode. I agree, that the process of finding your calling requires total investment from us and is infinitely more valuable with feedback from a thoughtful mentor who seeks to learn our goals and not just provide a some generic artistic advice. Doing something new and unique requires trailblazing. Not every mentor can resist the temptation to tell us what to do. Really good mentors ask great questions more than provide answers.
Very good podcast! Yeah, life isn’t a straight shot to that beautiful cintq at the animation studio. I’ve always wanted to draw on one of those! Right now Iam a middle school art teacher, and try to make my classroom like a studio. For the kids that want to go that route, I try and teach them all I know. I suffer from the support team syndrome. I need more artists around me to recharge my batteries. When I listen to the Oatley podcasts I get excited to create again! Thank you for sharing this, Zach is right you just can’t do this alone and you have to be persistent. Thank you Chris, for your professional and fun way of doing these podcasts. I really enjoy the music intros and outros.
Hey, Carl! Thank you so much for writing!
First of all – Thank you for taking care of these kids, for taking them seriously and supporting their creativity.
And yes, you’re absolutely right – community is, in my opinion, one of the essential aspects of significant, efficient and measurable artistic growth. That’s why healthy community is such a high priority at Oatley Academy.
I’m so glad you like the show. And thank you for the kind comments about the intros and outros. I love when a documentarian or a reporter or even the host of a good reality show can bring a real-life series of events into focus with classy commentary. It’s something I work very hard on for every episode. I don’t always get it right, but I love the challenge!
Awesome Interview. The one thing that gets me about these stories is the underline theme of “showing up”. There is so much fear and doubt within the art world as a beginner/novice that some of us never get to that point of showing up.
Putting yourself out there, not being afraid to do the work and find a good mentor and keep moving forward!
So true, Jeremy.
Just last week I started a new Visual Development Mentorship with an amazing group of students. I was encouraging them about this very idea – you do have to believe in yourself. …and often times, that belief has to manifest as speaking up. …or as you say here: “showing up.”
…being proactive and offering solutions before they become problems. It’s what I call “Bringing your own momentum.”
Thanks for the comment!
Dreams and goals are individual. How do we know what we can achieve unless we try, for ourselves, with someone else telling us we can’t? A personal secret: my life has been this robotic do what is told to do. ‘You’re not going to any school for that’. ‘THAT is not school. No, not leaving the house, even with that scholarship.” No sass, no back-talk. Regret, oh yes. Remorse, even more. I say, pursue your talents, however raw. You need compassionate mentoring throughout your journey. Look for those who encourage and bring out positive support. Keep at it, no matter what little, however, they may seem huge at first, falls or mistakes or errors are made. You can correct, amend, erase and move forward. Compassionate people are in demand when it comes to creativity. They are more forgiving, understanding and along with mentoring, they give rein to YOUR ideas and goals.Believe. Oh the joy of the struggle becoming the light of your dream.
Zach is so right mentorship is so important. Sharing what your doing with others, getting their input totally helps out. Support from family, Friends, and out loved ones are very helpful too.
I found on my journey, that when I shared my stories with others, my designs, give them a brief of my plans. With what I want to do with it all , their face lit up with excitement. They love it , can’t wait for the books, movies, TV series ETC.
Hopefully my creation will end up in the Entertainment industry on the Big Screen and Small Screens around the world. However just like Zach nothing happens overnight. You got to keep going, no matter how hard it gets, never give up and you will reach your goals.
Thank you Everyone and thank You Zach.
Very amazing story and so good to listen to over and over again. I will put this on repeat for sure! Thank you Zach for sharing your story.
Congratulations to Zach!! I am so thankful to The Oatley Academy for all the encouragement and support I have gotten over the last several years. I too have no friends around that share my interest. I think it’s hard to get help and encouragement out of family and friends when they just don’t get it. I learned to accept that everyone is unique with different talents and passions but I don’t think I could thrive without OA. It is so important to have a community of people around that lift you up and push you to your full abilities. And I love how Zach spoke of purpose in his new role and the memories he is helping to create with families by purchasing one of his creations. That is so important!
I listened to this interview a couple times well. What struck me was the support system and when Zach said “I was still working at Best Buy.” When I used to draw and show my family I was a prolific artist. When I focused on gaining the amorphous “audience”, I lacked the drive with noone to respond to my enthusiasm. Your family is the one who is going to pick you up and support you no matter what, (even when they don’t get) and I learned not to take them for granted.
Also, that artjail job is going to provide some skill or opportunity as long as you are prepared.
I especially shed hearttears about the fireworks conversation. I’m going to view every interested “you’re an artist I’d like to see more” as an honest to goodness fireworks conversation and not tear down my art as “not any good” or ignore it as some passerby
I appreciate Zach’s theme of hardwork and appreciation for the persons around him, even those who didnt necessarily further his career tangibly.
Thanks ever so much you guys!
This was so good! Thanks Zach and Chris!
I was just thinking of reaching out more to my own mentors, I have confidence to do that now.