This week in France, the Annecy Animation Festival was held. During this festival, there was a lot of news to come out regarding Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios. One thing jumped out at me, however. This wasn’t about any specific film. It wasn’t about any character. It wasn’t about a gimmick. Instead, it was about a direction for Walt Disney Animation Studios. It was a big picture statement, and it got me excited for the possibilities of what could be coming from Disney Animation.
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush was named to this position in the fall of 2024. After being with the studio for over a decade and directing Encanto, co-directing Zootopia, and offering his writing talents on several films, including Moana. He is now tasked with overseeing all of the creative output of the animation studio that was started by Walt Disney over 100 years ago. This includes creative oversight of films, series, and other associated projects. This is a role that isn’t just about creating good moments or movies, it’s about creating great stories and also taking care of the brand and legacy that is over a century old. This role required vision and discretion. It requires an open mind that also recognizes what fits with the Walt Disney Animation Studios brand and makes it different.
During the Annecy Animation Festival, Bush gave insight as to how he is leading the Walt Disney Animation Studios. He said, “There are three things I believe define our path forward. First is joy and imagination… Second, this deep collaboration… And lastly, we are committed to always swinging for the fences.”
Joy and Imagination
The first thing Bush said defines the future of Walt Disney Animation Studios as “joy and imagination.” While technically two things, we won’t get stuck on that. The takeaway here is that there is room for new ideas and possibilities, and that the focal point is joy or positivity. The stories that will be told should fill people’s hearts with joy, and not heaviness. This is in line with the foundation of Disney storytelling that dates back to the beginning of Disney.
Deep Collaboration
Secondly, Bush said that Disney Animation will be utilizing “deep collaboration.” This is also consistent with the long-running legacy of the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Some of the best stories through the years of how things came together was through collaboration. A few examples that pop to mind are Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks, the Nine Old Men, the Sherman Brothers, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, Ron Clements and John Musker, and more recently, Don Hall and Chris Williams. These names represent just the tip of the iceberg of the collaborative spirit that has been a part of creating some of Disney’s most beloved stories and movies. The recognition of the importance of true collaboration shows that Bush recognizes that no one person holds all the answers or all the good ideas. Hopefully, this collaborative spirit is accompanied by a “best idea wins” mentality.
Swinging for the Fences
When I was a kid, I used to hear about Disney and “wow” a lot. Disney’s wow factor has been something that other companies have looked to as the gold standard for many years. Basically, the thought process behind this is that if you give a customer an experience that makes them say “wow!,” you create lasting impressions/memories that build brand loyalty and validate whatever price was paid for the experience. The Disney Cruise Line regularly nails this. When Jared Bush says that Walt Disney Animation Studios is “swinging for the fences,” this indicates to me that the studios are aiming for “wow” for those who see its movies. For many people, there is that “wow” moment in the movie theaters seeing a Disney film. Many in my generation reference The Little Mermaid as the film that did just that. For me, it was Beauty and the Beast. It was beautiful, it was grandiose, the music was memorable, and the characters endearing. I distinctly remember being blown away by multiple scenes in the movie, particularly during Tale as Old as Time. That night, I walked out of the theater with that song in my heart, and I just HAD to get the soundtrack as soon as possible!
Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
There is a saying in business that “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” In the statement that Jared Bush made in France about the future of Walt Disney Animation Studios, he shared a glimpse at the culture he is leading and building. This wasn’t a strategic statement; it was a statement about the principles for what is important for the Disney Animation Studios moving forward. This could be quite exciting if this culture creates an environment of creating positive, quality films that fans will know and love for generations to come!
What do you think about this statement from Jared Bush? Do you think it bodes well for Walt Disney Animation Studios? Are you excited for what is coming from Disney in the coming years? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
