Once Upon a Studio: We at least grew up with one Disney movie.
“What if,” Creativity is all that it takes?
But in the year when agencies emerge to make the best advertisement and marketing of products, thus begun the very question;
Are we truly creative, or are we merely get paid to be creative?
I grew up with Disney Princesses. I remember that one time my father would play Beauty and the Beast over and over again back in 2005; and it was an animation marvel back then. Computerized hand-drawn animation, is the very thing that inspired me to actually create stories. Yes, I grew up mostly through animation both Western and Japanese, but Disney has always had a place in my heart. Perfected in every single stroke.
Because the love actually shows through the works; the fluid movements of the characters, the soul of the story, memorable names like Mickey Mouse and my ultimate favourite character, Scrooge McDuck. All the series, the musicals, the artistry- now has finally reached its first century of blooming.
Yes, we all grow up with at least one Disney Movie. And it’s crafted how we dream — although, capitalistic decisions were made, and many says that the magic is now gone.
Upon coming home from my part-time job, I had more college work coming up for the night, so I needed to take a breather. Nowadays, it’s crucial to really take responsibility for your actions; if you were privileged enough to access education, you would graduate well. You must do well and work well.
And these days, my 5–9 routine goes like — grabbing a coffee before settling down to open my Disney Hotstar.
(My life has been magical. It’s filled with questions, but it’s also filled with unexpected wonders and adventures. But it’s nice to get sweet reminders, here and there.)
—
II. The Elephant in the Room
In the year 2023, Once Upon a Studio emerged as a remarkable American live-action/animated fantasy comedy crossover short film. This enchanting creation, penned and directed by the duo of Dan Abraham and Trent Correy, is a production of the renowned Walt Disney Animation Studios and is brought to audiences by Walt Disney Pictures.
Its creation was a heartfelt tribute in celebration of the studio’s centennial, which fell on the auspicious date of October 16, 2023. This extraordinary short film was lovingly characterized as a ‘love letter’ to Walt Disney Animation Studios by its visionary creators, Correy and Abraham.
Within the magical narrative of the film, beloved Disney characters burst into vibrant life from the very pictures that adorn the walls of the Roy E. Disney Animation Building as the typical workday draws to a close. Notably, the short film’s artistic composition seamlessly weaves together elements of computer graphics, traditional animation, and live-action. It showcases characters spanning across nearly the entirety of the studio’s extensive portfolio up to that moment, encompassing all sixty-two feature films, a host of cherished short films, and even select live-action Disney productions that boasted animation crafted by the studio, including classics like ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964), ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ (1971), and ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (1977).
They took a risk. Really. Who ever imagined humans are going to make animation? Or even — imagine Japanese animation.
Imagining a society in which innovation consistently improves public life isn’t an extravagant dream. It’s a vision of a more efficient government that offers some safety for individuals of all ages who take risks. It’s a vision of a society that cherishes the humanistic pursuit as a guiding principle, rather than treating it as mere content for a fresh platform.
And this vision, still lives on with Disney, the company. Somehow, somewhere, in the movies.
—
III. Love lies in Consistency.
This entire short is dedicated to one name.
The late Burny Mattinson, a stalwart presence in the Disney realm, made his debut as an animator in the classic ‘Lady and the Tramp.’
His remarkable journey spans over seven decades, making him the most enduring member of the Disney family. Throughout these many years, his enduring legacy has consistently served as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him, each moment spent in his company leaving an indelible mark.
Because he has been an inspiration to many, every single time.
As Jennifer Lee, the Chief Creative Officer, said;
“Burny’s artistry, generosity, and love of Disney Animation and the generations of storytellers that have come through our doors, for seven decades, has made us better — better artists, better technologists, and better collaborators. All of us who have had the honor to know him and learn from him will ensure his legacy carries on.”
Here’s another thing, do we get paid for being creative, or do we get paid to be creative?
Being in the creative industry is both fun yet also a status quo. Creativity isn’t like a magic trick or an easy fix. It takes hard work, sticking with it, and not giving up. You might think of a genius who came up with something you really like, but even they didn’t just snap their fingers and make it happen. They had to be creative even when they had trouble coming up with ideas. Being creative is about making small efforts and sacrifices regularly, just as you would water a lovely flower every single day.
Imagine, if Mickey Mouse was alive, and you’ve been watching him since childhood. Would he be proud after seeing the person you’ve become?
Sure. Surely he’s proud. Because they aren’t just characters, but they are the manifestation of past dreams and decade’s worth of hard work. Because those characters are past artists saying, “Hey, if you got a dream, you can have everything.”
“Here’s a movie for you. Here’s a story. Even if you don’t see the magic anymore, please remember that you still have the very same dream within your heart.”
—
IV. So, What do We Do?
My friends from the design major just came home from a company visit session in Jakarta. Most of them found their purpose in the world of creative agencies; the rest, otherwise. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever imagined,” a close friend said, spilling his heart out about the very reality we’re going to face one year from now. “At times, we may assume that they constantly generate innovative concepts. However, creative individuals, in reality, aspire for the utmost simplicity — the core essence. This is because design isn’t driven by self-importance; it thrives on cooperation.”
“So, what has realizing your ideals do to you?” I answered, because I felt the same above a year ago. When the Communication Major went to Jakarta, on the one article I wrote for the Schrodringer’s Cat.
If you wanted Disney, and if you’re already working at Disney, would you feel satisfied? Because there are just too many reasons for the creative industry to simply exploit your work and copyright. But that’s just how the industry works, no one can be too much of an idealist. So, what do you actually want?
Because, creativity can take many forms, and you don’t have to fit a specific image of what a creative person should be. It’s okay if your creativity seems small or if others don’t appreciate it, or if it’s just part of your work. Being creative can bring positive changes to your life, no matter what your version of creativity looks like.
The whole ‘do what you love’ thing shows how working for your dreams can be both good and bad. Some people criticize it, saying it’s only for the privileged, and we need a clear line between work and life. They also remind us that too much self-driven work can lead to burnout.
Not everyone believes work should be a passion or that we should give everything to our jobs. Some argue for a shorter work week, better social support, or more time off for parents. This is about making space in our lives for relaxation and caring for others, not just working all the time.
It’s okay for work to be meaningful and enjoyable, but we should be cautious about buying into the idea that work should be our sole source of fulfillment. This idea can distract us from the bigger economic and social issues related to work. Work is work, no matter how many cool perks modern workplaces offer, and no matter how many motivational talks you hear.
Yes, I love Disney Movies. And that 100th Anniversary short just reminds me of how much I loved to dream.
And now, I am working in a creative industry with its own perks and fun.
And that’s enough. More than enough.
Because for me, yes, my company is pretty much large. But I’m absolutely proud to say that, in this corner of Surabaya, we aim for dreams anyone else could never reach, places anyone could never breach, and it all started with a “what if”.
