"Why would you choose animation?"

I feel like that question has been bumping around in the back of my mind for a long time now, but it was not until yesterday in class did it really rear its head. As such, it's been driving me crazy for the past 48 hours. For years, I have been so sure of my goal: go to art school, get an animation degree, move to California, get hired at Disney, high-five John Lasseter. But why, though? What is it about animation that makes me want to be a part of it? It's not the most perfect job in the world. I remember one of my favorite books as a kid was Bill Peet's autobiography. In the chapters describing the time he worked at Disney, he frequently complained about the long hours and the monotonous work, sometimes done without any credit given to him. He even talked about what an overbearing, arrogant curmudgeon Walt Disney himself was. After reading that book, why would I even consider such a job?

My reasoning is not as simple as, "I want to tell stories." I have tons of my own characters and stories that I would love to show the world. However, if that was purely the reason, then I would have been satisfied with writing and illustrating books or making comics for the rest of my life. But no, I have always been very insistent — animation or bust. Specifically, Disney animation or bust. I am fully willing to sell my soul to a cartoon mouse. But why?

The other day on a whim, I watched a video I took of the "Celebrate The Magic" show when I visited Disney World during my senior year of high school. Of course, it's always nice seeing all the kids acting all excited at the animation they project onto the Cinderella Castle, but during the Phineas and Ferb segment, I heard two women talking to each other:

"I heard that show is ending soon."
"Really? That's a shame."

That simple exchange really struck a chord with me. Two adults were disappointed that a cartoon for children was ending soon. Somehow, that show was able to appeal itself to people way beyond its target demographic. It hit me then why exactly Disney animation was my goal to strive for.

Disney has a way of creating stories that are able to reach out to everybody, both adults and children alike. They are able to bring together so many different aspects of art — animation, music, acting, just to name a few — and bring it together to create an amazing experience for others. It's that feeling of joy that just permeates the movie theater, or theme park, or even the store stuck in the corner of a mall. Sorry to quote a corporate trademark, but it's magic! It's Disney magic! Every single movie means something to every single person, whether it's a song that cheers them up, or a character with relatable struggles, or a message that really speaks to them. And I really want to be a part of that. I want to help make something that will one day make a little kid happy because they got to take a picture with them in a park or that will be turned into a plush toy that someone can hug when they have a bad day. And by being an animator for Disney, that's how I can accomplish that.

Also, because I really, really want to high-five John Lasseter.