Introduction
Walt Disney is a name that resonates with people all around the world. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, his creations have touched the lives of millions. But behind the magic and wonder lies the story of a man who faced numerous challenges, setbacks, and failures on his path to success. In "How To Be Like Walt," Pat Williams takes us on a journey through Walt Disney's life, revealing the principles and characteristics that made him one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
This book isn't just a biography; it's a roadmap for anyone who wants to infuse their life with creativity, perseverance, and a touch of magic. Through anecdotes, insights, and lessons from Walt's life, we'll explore how his approach to work, creativity, and life can inspire us to reach for our own dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Walt's Early Years: The Foundation of a Dreamer
A Childhood of Hard Work and Imagination
Walt Disney's journey began in a world far removed from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Born in 1901, his early years were marked by hard work and struggle. In 1909, when Walt was just eight years old, his family moved to Kansas City after his father fell ill and had to sell their farm. This move would prove to be a defining moment in young Walt's life.
In Kansas City, Walt and his brother Roy were thrust into a world of adult responsibilities. Their father had taken a job managing a newspaper distribution point, and the boys were expected to help – without pay. Every morning, rain or shine, Walt and Roy would wake up at the crack of dawn to deliver newspapers before school. After classes, they'd return to prepare the next day's deliveries.
This grueling routine left a lasting impression on Walt. Years later, he would still have nightmares about trudging through snowstorms, fearing punishment for missing a delivery. However, these early experiences also instilled in him a strong work ethic and a resilience that would serve him well throughout his life.
The Birth of a Showman
Despite the hardships of his childhood, Walt's imagination and flair for entertainment began to shine through at an early age. In school, he was known more for his daydreaming and doodling than his academic prowess. But it was his ability to captivate an audience that truly set him apart.
One memorable instance occurred in the fifth grade when Walt dressed up as Abraham Lincoln for the president's birthday. Complete with a stovepipe hat, scarf, and fake beard, he stood before his class and recited the Gettysburg Address. The performance was such a hit that he was asked to repeat it for the entire school.
This early experience as a performer planted the seeds for Walt's future as an entertainer. It showed him the power of storytelling and the joy of bringing characters to life – skills that would become central to his later success in animation and filmmaking.
The Power of Creativity: Walt's Greatest Strength
Creativity as a Learnable Skill
One of Walt Disney's most remarkable qualities was his boundless creativity. But what set him apart was his belief that creativity wasn't a rare, innate talent possessed by only a few. Instead, he saw it as a skill that could be learned and developed by anyone willing to put in the effort.
This perspective allowed Walt to approach creativity in a systematic way. He was constantly on the lookout for new ideas, drawing inspiration from the people and world around him. He encouraged his employees to do the same, fostering an environment where creativity could flourish.
Finding Inspiration in Everyday Life
Walt had an uncanny ability to find inspiration in the most unexpected places. He believed in making the most of life's experiences, often jotting down events from his own life to later transform into stories or ideas for his projects.
One amusing example of this was when Walt was pulled over by a traffic cop on his way to the studio. Initially furious about the incident, he began recounting the story to his colleagues. As he noticed people finding humor in the tale, he started embellishing it, adding new details with each retelling and gauging people's reactions. This seemingly mundane event eventually became the inspiration for a 1931 Mickey Mouse cartoon called "Traffic Troubles."
This approach to creativity – finding the extraordinary in the ordinary – became a hallmark of Disney's work. It allowed him to create stories and characters that resonated with audiences because they were grounded in relatable, everyday experiences.
The Birth of Mickey Mouse
Perhaps the most famous example of Walt's creativity in action is the creation of Mickey Mouse. When Walt lost the rights to his first successful character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, to a rival producer, he didn't wallow in bitterness. Instead, he saw it as an opportunity to create something new and better.
On a train ride from New York to California, Walt sketched out the initial concept for Mickey Mouse. This new character would go on to become one of the most recognizable figures in the world, a testament to Walt's ability to turn setbacks into opportunities through sheer creative willpower.
Risk-Taking: The Key to Walt's Success
Dreaming Big with Snow White
Walt Disney was never one to rest on his laurels. Even as Mickey Mouse was rising to stardom, Walt was already looking for the next big challenge. In the early 1930s, he set his sights on creating the first full-length animated feature film: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
This was an enormous risk. The project was estimated to cost $500,000 – equivalent to about $7 million today. Many in the industry thought Walt was crazy, dubbing the project "Disney's Folly." But Walt was undeterred. He believed in the power of his vision and was willing to do whatever it took to bring it to life.
Investing in Talent and Technology
To realize his dream of Snow White, Walt spared no expense in bringing together the best talent and resources. In 1934, he brought in art instructors from the prestigious Chouinard Art Institute to work alongside his animators. Over the next three years, the Disney studios became a hub of artistic collaboration, with renowned figures like architect Frank Lloyd Wright and author Alexander Woolcott frequenting the premises.
Walt also invested heavily in new technology and techniques to push the boundaries of animation. This commitment to innovation would become a hallmark of Disney's approach, setting new standards for the entire industry.
The Gamble Pays Off
By 1937, the costs of producing Snow White had ballooned to $1,000,000. The Disney brothers were out of cash and had sold or mortgaged all their belongings. It was a make-or-break moment for the company.
In a last-ditch effort to secure funding, Walt showed an unfinished version of the film to Joe Rosenberg, who handled studio loans for the Bank of America. Despite some scenes still being in crude pencil animation, Rosenberg was impressed and confident in the film's potential. He provided the additional funding needed to complete the project.
The risk paid off spectacularly. Snow White became one of the most popular movies of its time, earning $8.5 million during its initial release. It not only saved the Disney company from financial ruin but also established Walt Disney as a pioneer in the world of animation and entertainment.
Triumph and Tragedy: The Rollercoaster of Success
The Golden Year of 1938
Following the unprecedented success of Snow White, 1938 marked a golden year for Walt Disney. His face graced the cover of Time magazine, and he had become a household name across the globe. With a team of over a thousand artists and technicians at his disposal, Walt seemed poised for even greater heights.
However, true to his nature, Walt showed little interest in resting on his laurels or enjoying the financial rewards of his success. Instead, he immediately reinvested the profits from Snow White into his next project, Pinocchio.
Personal Tragedy Strikes
Yet even at the peak of his professional success, Walt was not immune to personal tragedy. In November 1938, a devastating event occurred that would haunt Walt for the rest of his life. His mother, Flora, died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty furnace in the house that Walt had recently bought for his parents.
Walt was devastated by the loss and blamed himself for the accident. He rarely spoke about it afterwards, carrying the pain silently for years. This tragedy served as a stark reminder that even in the midst of great success, life can deliver crushing blows.
The Struggle with Pinocchio
As if personal tragedy wasn't enough, Walt's next big project, Pinocchio, faced significant challenges. Despite taking three years and $2.6 million to make, and receiving critical acclaim, the film was a financial failure upon its initial release.
The timing couldn't have been worse. It was 1940, and World War II was raging across Europe, closing off many international markets. As a result, Pinocchio was left with only a fraction of its potential audience, dooming it to box office disappointment.
This setback was a harsh reminder of the volatile nature of the entertainment industry. Even with all his success and experience, Walt couldn't predict or control external factors that could impact his work.
The Art of "Plussing": Walt's Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Always Striving for Better
One of Walt Disney's most defining characteristics was his relentless pursuit of improvement. He coined the term "plussing" to describe his philosophy of constantly finding ways to make things better, no matter how good they already were.
This approach was evident in all of Disney's projects. For instance, during the production of Bambi, Walt brought live animals into the studio to help his artists create more realistic drawings. He also recruited Asian artist Tyrus Wong to add a touch of Asian aesthetics to the forest backgrounds, enhancing the film's visual appeal.
Staying Ahead of the Competition
Walt's habit of "plussing" often put him a step ahead of his competitors. He was the first animator to add sound to cartoons with Mickey Mouse, and the first to introduce color in his short film series Silly Symphonies. These innovations weren't just about being first; they were about enhancing the audience's experience and pushing the boundaries of what animation could achieve.
Prioritizing Quality Over Cost
Walt's commitment to improvement often came at a significant financial cost, but he never let money stand in the way of realizing his vision. For the music in Fantasia, he was determined to work with the renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski, regardless of the $400,000 price tag.
Not content with just hiring top talent, Walt also invested $100,000 in developing stereophonic sound for the film, creating a more immersive audio experience for the audience. While these expenses worried his more financially-minded brother Roy, Walt knew that these investments in quality would pay off in the long run.
The Power of Persistence: Bringing Disneyland to Life
A Dream Against All Odds
Perhaps no project better exemplifies Walt Disney's persistence than the creation of Disneyland. For years, Walt had dreamed of building a magical park where families could have fun together. However, the odds were stacked against him. The studio was in debt, experts were skeptical about the park's potential success, and even his brother Roy thought the idea was foolish.
But Walt refused to give up on his vision. He began saving money personally, borrowed against his life insurance policy, and even put his vacation home up for sale. Still, it wasn't enough.
The Television Solution
In a stroke of inspiration, Walt realized that a television deal could provide the necessary funding for the park. He approached the major networks – NBC, CBS, and ABC – with a proposal: in exchange for airing Disney programs and partial ownership of Disneyland, they would provide the funding for the park.
Initially, all three networks turned him down. Most people would have abandoned the idea at this point, but not Walt. He pressed on, raising more money through employee investments and convincing his brother to back the project.
Persistence Pays Off
Walt's breakthrough came when he created a visual representation of the park, complete with a castle, riverboat, and elevated train station. Armed with this tangible vision, he approached the networks again. This time, ABC saw the potential and agreed to invest $500,000 and help secure $4.5 million in loans.
Walt's persistence had paid off. Disneyland was no longer just a dream – it was on its way to becoming a reality. This story illustrates Walt's unwavering commitment to his ideas and his ability to find creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Collaboration and Openness: The Secret to Walt's Creative Success
Embracing Others' Ideas
One of Walt Disney's greatest strengths was his openness to other people's ideas. Rather than feeling threatened by the creativity of others, he embraced it, recognizing that good ideas could come from anywhere.
This approach was evident in the way he interacted with his employees and even outsiders. For instance, during the construction of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland, Walt struck up a conversation with a worker from Louisiana. Recognizing that this man had firsthand knowledge of the bayou country the ride was meant to represent, Walt asked for his input. The worker suggested adding fireflies to make the swamp scene more authentic. Walt loved the idea and had electric fireflies installed within days.
Fostering a Collaborative Environment
Walt's openness to ideas extended to the way he structured work at the Disney studios. In 1931, one of his story artists, Webb Smith, began pinning sequences of drawings on the office walls to better visualize the flow of a cartoon. Walt immediately recognized the potential of this method, and the storyboard was born.
From that point on, storyboards became an integral part of the Disney creative process. What's more, Walt ensured that any Disney employee could contribute ideas to the storyboard for a new project, fostering a truly collaborative environment where everyone's creativity was valued.
The Power of Diverse Perspectives
Walt understood the value of bringing in diverse perspectives to enhance his projects. For the music in Fantasia, he collaborated with the renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski. For Bambi, he brought in Asian artist Tyrus Wong to add a unique aesthetic to the forest backgrounds.
This willingness to seek out and incorporate different viewpoints and expertise allowed Walt to create works that were richer and more nuanced than they might have been otherwise.
Leaving a Legacy: Walt's Commitment to Future Generations
The California Institute of the Arts
Walt Disney's vision extended far beyond his own lifetime. In 1961, he and his brother Roy invested a significant sum to establish the California Institute of the Arts, a university dedicated to visual and performing arts.
This institution was born out of Walt's gratitude to the art schools that had supported him in his early days. The Chouinard Art Institute had provided Disney Studios with artists who tutored his animators for free when the company was struggling financially. Similarly, the Los Angeles Music Conservatory had trained many of the singers and musicians who performed in Disney films.
By merging these two institutions to form CalArts, Walt aimed to create a place where artists across various disciplines – from music and writing to performance and engineering – could learn and grow.
Mentoring Young Talent
Walt's commitment to nurturing future generations of artists went beyond institutional support. He actively sought out and mentored young talent, always on the lookout for promising individuals who needed encouragement and guidance.
In 1951, for instance, Walt reached out to Santa Monica High School asking if they had any students worth supporting. They recommended a student named Ken Wales. Walt brought Ken to the studios for three days of intensive mentoring, showing him every aspect of filmmaking. He then financed Ken's filmmaking studies at the University of Southern California.
This investment in young talent paid off. Ken Wales went on to have a successful career in the film industry, working with director Blake Edwards on numerous films including "The Great Race" and "Revenge of the Pink Panther."
The Lasting Impact of Walt's Legacy
Walt Disney's efforts to support and educate future generations of artists and creators have had a lasting impact. The California Institute of the Arts has produced numerous successful artists, animators, and filmmakers who have gone on to shape the entertainment industry.
Moreover, Walt's approach to mentoring and nurturing talent has become a part of the Disney company culture, influencing how the organization develops and supports its employees to this day.
Final Thoughts: The Enduring Magic of Walt Disney
As we reflect on the life and legacy of Walt Disney, several key themes emerge that defined his approach to life and work:
Creativity as a Learnable Skill: Walt believed that creativity wasn't a rare gift, but something that could be cultivated and developed by anyone willing to put in the effort.
Persistence in the Face of Adversity: From his challenging childhood to the numerous setbacks he faced in his career, Walt never gave up on his dreams, always finding a way to push forward.
Continuous Improvement: Walt's philosophy of "plussing" – always looking for ways to make things better – drove him to constantly innovate and push the boundaries of what was possible.
Openness to Ideas: Walt's willingness to embrace ideas from all sources, whether from seasoned professionals or everyday workers, allowed him to create truly collaborative and innovative works.
Investment in the Future: Through his mentoring efforts and the establishment of educational institutions, Walt showed a deep commitment to nurturing future generations of artists and creators.
These principles guided Walt Disney as he built an entertainment empire that has touched the lives of millions around the world. From humble beginnings delivering newspapers in Kansas City to creating the magical world of Disneyland, Walt's journey is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and unwavering belief in oneself.
Walt Disney's life teaches us that with imagination, perseverance, and a willingness to take risks, we can achieve things that others might consider impossible. His story encourages us to approach life with curiosity, to find inspiration in the world around us, and to never stop striving to make our dreams a reality.
In the end, perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from Walt Disney is the importance of maintaining a sense of wonder and magic in our lives. As he once said, "That's the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up." By embracing our inner child, staying open to new ideas, and never losing sight of our dreams, we can all capture a little bit of that Disney magic in our own lives.
Walt Disney's legacy continues to inspire and influence people around the world. His life serves as a reminder that with creativity, determination, and a touch of magic, we can overcome any obstacle and create something truly extraordinary. As we face our own challenges and pursue our own dreams, we would do well to ask ourselves: "What would Walt do?"