Stephen Anderson!

Welcome to the Piece Of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend! Today we are looking into a longtime Disney animator and director, Stephen Anderson!

Stephen Anderson’s journey into animation began with a childhood love for cartoons and comic books. Growing up, he was captivated by Disney classics like “Peter Pan” and “The Jungle Book”, and he spent hours drawing and creating his own stories. That early passion led him to CalArts, where he studied character animation; joining the same ranks as many Disney legends before him.

After graduating, Anderson started his career as a story artist on animated hits like “Tarzan”, “The Emperor’s New Groove”, and “Brother Bear”. His knack for storytelling and emotional depth eventually led to his directorial debut with “Meet the Robinsons” (2007). What many fans don’t know is that the film’s central theme of adoption and belonging is deeply personal; Anderson himself was adopted, and he used his own story to shape Lewis’s emotional journey.

One of the most iconic lines from “Meet the Robinsons”, “Keep moving forward,” was actually a quote from Walt Disney himself; and became the heartbeat of the film. Anderson said he wanted the movie to be a celebration of inventiveness, optimism, and the importance of family in all its forms. The movie may be zany and futuristic, but at its core, it’s all heart; just like its director.

In 2011, Anderson returned to the director’s chair to co-helm “Winnie the Pooh”, a hand-drawn animated feature that was a rare gem in an era dominated by CGI. A big fan of the original stories and 1977 film, Anderson made sure the movie stayed true to its roots, even using traditional animation techniques and bringing back classic voice actors like Jim Cummings as Pooh and Tigger.

Today, Anderson continues to work on story development at Walt Disney Animation Studios, contributing to the magic behind the scenes. From heartfelt sci-fi adventures to nostalgic returns to the Hundred Acre Wood, his work proves that stories driven by emotion, sincerity, and a touch of childhood wonder never go out of style!

He also wrote this really cool book about how the Disney company had a really tough time after Walt Disney’s death, check it out! https://a.co/d/9tWaWTb

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Stephen Anderson: Take pleasure in the creative process and see your fellow team members as the reward.

Thank you for reading! Have an amazing week and we will catch you again on Monday!

-Giancarlo