Todd Bright is a former Disney Animator who will be presenting at the Festival of Arts on the following dates:
- Monday, January 15: Animation 101
- Wednesday, January 24: Gesture Drawing Class
- Tuesday, February 6: Animation 101
- Monday, February 12: Gesture Drawing Class
- Every Friday during the festival, Mr. Bright will also be hosting a Plain Air Painting Workshop “Paint with a Disney Artist.”
Here’s what he shared with us about his background, career and participation in the Festival of the Arts:
WDW Hints: Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. What field of study did you pursue in school in order to become a Disney animator?
Todd: Illustration. I attended Ringling School of Art and Design from 1990-1992. I picked Ringling because I learned that Disney Animation recruited from there. I chose an Illustration Major because Disney wanted people who could draw. I also grew up in my Dad’s studio surrounded by books featuring famous Illustrators like Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, and more. So to major in Illustration was an easy choice.
WDW Hints: What Disney movie(s) have you worked on?
Todd: Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, and Brother Bear.
WDW Hints: What is your favorite Disney attraction?
Todd: Peter Pan. That story and film are full of all sorts of brilliance and magic. Some of my favorite animation is in that film.
WDW Hints: What is your favorite park?
Todd: Magic Kingdom. Even while working for Disney all those years… I would rarely go there. I didn’t want it to get old, to always have that special feeling. You can always be a kid there.
WDW Hints: What are you most looking forward to during the Festival of the Arts?
Todd: I hope to inspire folks who attend my workshops to think a little differently than they did when when they walked in. To teach them to observe the people and world around them and take home a few ‘tools’ to help create their own stories. This is my second year there, it’s really a lot of fun. The guests really get into the workshops, they aren’t afraid to push it and get their hands dirty!
WDW Hints: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Todd: Teaching about animation, gesture drawing, and painting is a passion of mine. So many have poured into me before and during my career. It’s quite a thing to have a such venue to give back. I’m also beginning Gesture Drawing classes this winter in Downtown Orlando. Gesture Drawing is the art of the quick sketch and a foundational practice for any animator and artist. If any of your readers are interested have them contact me through my website, www.toddbright.com. Thanks!
Editor’s Note: A very special “thank you” to Todd Bright for answering our questions AND providing us with lots of pictures of his artwork! As usual, thanks to Crissy for producing another excellent interview article!
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