Disney’s ‘Short Circuit’ program allows for anyone from Walt Disney Animation Studios to pitch an idea for a short and, if picked, create a film. This year, the program celebrates its 10th anniversary. Two new films are also being released this month during its milestone year. The films come from directors Heather Russell and Larry Wu. Both films are very different in style, in substance, and in message. However, both films come out of a personal passion that each director brought to their project. These passion projects, supported by people throughout Disney Animation, both have poignant messages that highlight different parts of the human experience.

Earlier this month, Daps Magic was invited to the Walt Disney Animation Studios to watch these short films and then discuss them with these two directors. Heather Russell’s Maddie & the Test is about a young girl with dyslexia facing challenges that come as she takes a test. The short demonstrates the experience some people have with dyslexia and how they face it. Larry Wu’s Life Drawings tells the life story of being an artist. This is done beautifully by coupling different chapters of the artist’s life (from childhood to adulthood) with different types of animation. This shows the ups and downs of the life of an artist and the importance of investing in the next generation by sharing one’s knowledge and wisdom.

In both cases, these stories came from a place that was very personal to each of these filmmakers. Sitting down to chat with them, the heart behind each of these stories was very apparent. For Russell, her inspiration and passion initially came from the experience of her niece. Wu’s story isn’t a direct autobiography, but it clearly does have a personal connection to his own story. In both cases, the stories come from a place of love. They also both strive to communicate a message that is important to each of the storytellers.

For both Russell and Wu, the process of bringing these films to the screen was a journey. They each shared about their journeys during our discussion. For Russell, this was a humbling process that taught her about what she didn’t know and what she could learn when in a supportive environment. Wu shared how the process validated his vision as people from across the studios stepped up and supported his project. He said of his colleagues at the Walt Disney Animation Studios that “once they believe in something, they’re gonna do all their, give it their all to make you succeed. And it felt really humbling.”

As we discussed their films and what it took to make them, some thoughts began to emerge:

• Each of these films truly is a passion project and a labor of love.
• These films aren’t created in a void. They take a community that believes in the story and the person who is telling it. They come together to make them happen.
• These stories connect because they are honest and vulnerable.
  • They connect with those who come on board to help make them happen.
  • They also connect with the viewers because of the honesty and vulnerability.
• The ‘Short Circuit’ program doesn’t just experiment with film techniques; it also experiments by allowing people to step out of their normal comfort zones.
• These films are a testament to the power of coming together behind a person and their vision.
• Walt Disney Animation Studios values good stories and storytellers.

Maddie & the Test and Life Drawings arrive on Disney+ on March 18th. They are beautiful shorts that each bring their own perspective to the human experience. These are stories that people will connect with. This is because the people who created them connected with them and shared their hearts and truths through the stories being told. Be sure to see them when they arrive on Disney+!