Meet Katie

Don't be afraid of asking questions, even if they seem stupid. For every question you might have, someone is more than happy to answer!

I had actually decided not to apply at one point, feeling as though my work was nowhere near Disney level and there was no point in even trying to apply. After tossing and turning in bed, I pushed myself to submit- even though I didn't feel fully confident. Something I wish I knew is that they don't expect you to have already achieved perfection, so you shouldn't put this same pressure on yourself. Just put your best foot forward and show that you’re eager to learn how to improve!

At first, I was a little anxious about being around so many incredibly talented and experienced artists, and felt very shy when interacting with people. But I quickly learned that everyone in this industry is friendly, you can talk to anyone and they'll be happy to share. We are all passionate about similar things, and a lot of people feel just as shy as I do.

Everyone at some point has been in the shoes of a nervous junior finding their way, and nobody will judge you as long as you are polite and genuine. Don't feel like you have to have everything figured out or prove yourself to people, just enjoy the time you have.

Going forward, I will be as outgoing as I can manage. Integrating yourself in the studio culture, (joining clubs, eating with new people at lunch, etc) is just as important as being good at your job!

Magical, Constructive, Inspiring

The atmosphere and studio culture are incredible- but really, the people that I work with are what make it memorable. Every person I've met and talked with has a unique and inspiring story of how they came to be at Disney, with a universal love for stories and animation. Some of the journeys I've heard about should be Disney movies of their own!

You can walk up to anyone and ask how they're doing, what they've worked on before, what they're working on now- and they will gladly tell you all about it. Everyone is willing to help and excited to share! There are some big names in the studio, but everyone shares the same passion for storytelling and are happy to chat and answer questions.

With the legacy and quality of Disney that is so globally recognized, I was pleasantly surprised when the studio in Vancouver had such a warm, friendly and expressive energy. I don't know why I expected an industrial factory with white cubicles like in the Incredibles, but this studio has the most tight-knit artist friendly environment I've ever seen. It really feels like a second home, and everyone here contributes to making us feel welcome.

I was also surprised by how immersive it was! It was surreal to be able to walk into viewing rooms to attend dailies with the directors over zoom, and not get kicked out. I still felt nervous about being there until one of the directors said "bless you" to me when I sneezed in the zoom call. Seeing everything behind the scenes feels illegal somehow, but you just can't get enough!

Every day I make a new memory and learn something new, so it is really hard to pick something in particular. Every person and experience has made an impact on me in some way.
Something that was particularly memorable for me was Malcon Pierce's lesson in Tilt, Rhythm and Twist. He taught us many new techniques and ways to think about our animation and drawings, all of which I'd never heard before. That and the draw along we did with Eric Goldberg where he drew his characters and chatted about his life, sharing anecdotes and some of Disney's rich history. I never knew drawing the Genie from Aladdin was so hard!

Getting a peek into the minds of people who are so talented and experienced is something I'm immensely grateful I was able to do. Every day a mentor would give a new perspective, or demonstrate a new idea, and I'm so thankful to carry all of it with me going forward.