Wayne Unten
Walt Disney Studios
Los Angeles, CA USA
"Sometimes, the job is stressful, but you'll find that there's a reason why you're doing what you're doing."
Career Roadmap
Wayne's work combines: Film, Technology, and Being Creative
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I was studying animation in college, at times I was scared at the thought that I wouldn't get the job I wanted, or no matter how hard I studied, there wouldn't be a job available for me. My advice is to follow your passion, because it's worth it. Have faith that the choices you make toward your goal will lead you closer to what you ultimately want to be professionally.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects
California State University-Fullerton
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
Touts the value of taking a variety of classes in school; says that acting, 3-D design classes informed his animation down the line.
2.
For some time, he'd work on a construction site during the day, then painstakingly animate his reel at night.
3.
Even after he got his job at Disney, he became the best by working all day, then going home at night and studying new techniques.
4.
Went through a period where he questioned what he was doing, why he was putting two years of work into a two-minute payoff.
5.
Saw a video showing a soldier reuniting with his family and going to see an animated movie; his purpose became clear.
6.
Says that although the "value" of his work has been questioned, making an audience laugh or cry is the best feeling in the world.
7.
Knowing something he created has the potential to make such an impact is what keeps him going when he has to work long hours.
8.
Says the characters he creates are like his children; making the most realistic, true characters possible is really a labor of love for him.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
This isn't what I want to do, but it's to hard to change.
How I responded:
I was originally a graphic design major and I knew I wanted to do something in the arts, but I quickly realized that this wasn't it. I had to work up a lot of courage to tell my parents that I not only wanted to switch my major, but I wanted to go to a different school as well. It was terrifying and I knew it was going to be hard, but I just did it because I knew deep down that it would work out. Switching to animation was the best decision.