In this deeply personal episode of the Daps Magic podcast, Mr. Daps sits down with Malcolm Pierce, the Studio Artistic Director at Disney Animation Studios in Vancouver. While we often celebrate Disney for its grand spectacles and theme park thrills, today we explore a more intimate side of the “Magic”—the power of storytelling to heal the human spirit.
Malcolm shares the emotional journey behind his new short film, Versa. Created in the wake of losing his son, Cooper, Versa is a poetic, musically driven masterpiece that proves art can be a bridge from darkness back into the light.
“There was never a moment where they said, ‘I don’t think you should say this.’ I was never asked to change it—I was only asked to improve it.” — Malcolm Pierce
In this episode, we discuss:
- The “Nursery Story”: How a series of four family photos became the visual and emotional blueprint for the film’s narrative.
- Healing Through Production: Malcolm’s experience finding solace in his work on Moana and how he eventually chose to stop “distracting” himself and start creating from a place of truth.
- The Disney Culture of Support: A look at how creative leaders like Jennifer Lee fostered an environment where honesty was prioritized over corporate polish.
- Community Connection: How sharing personal grief opened the door for a community of artists to share their own stories, turning a private journey into a collective moment of healing.
“You turned your grief to good.” Join us for a conversation that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the supportive community that makes Disney Animation a truly special place to create.
Show Notes & Links:
- Read more positive Disney news: DapsMagic.com
- Follow the journey on Social Media: @DapsMagic / @MrDaps
- Join the Community: Catch Mr. Daps and Caitie Bear every week on Geeks Corner for more geek culture and positive vibes.
