This piece was originally written for the Savannah College of Art and Design student media publication District. I attended a talk that former Disney animator Glen Keane gave SCAD students as a part of the 2020 SCAD Savannah Film Festival. I listened to his experience as an artist and with creating his newest movie at the time of this talk, "Over the Moon".
“I would draw to make the paper go away. I was stepping into another world,” said animation industry giant Glen Keane during his “In Conversation” session. The session was moderated by Variety Deputy Awards and Features Editor Jenelle Riley.
Keane was the 2020 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Animation Award and is well-known in the animation community for his 38-year career with Disney working on such films as “Tarzan,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Tangled” and more. Outside of his work with Disney, he also is an Academy Award winner for “Dear Basketball,” and made his directorial debut for a feature film with “Over the Moon,” made in partnership with Netflix and Pearl Studios.
He began his acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award with the story of when he first saw himself as an artist. It was simply when his father called him one. “I was thinking about my own journey,” Keane said, “There’s this moment when you realize what path you are on, it happens for all of us in different ways.”
Recognizing oneself as an artist isn’t always an easy or immediate revelation; sometimes doubt slips in. Keane told a story of being teased at school for practice drawing a nude figure. He didn’t think about it as drawing nudes, he was just drawing to be himself — an artist.
“Find people in your life that help you have that power to be you as an artist,” Keane advised. SCAD students know the importance of a creative community, something that Keane encouraged and observed in SCAD. “You have really planted yourself in a great garden with the right soil to grow your art,” Keane said.
When describing the ideas and characters that he is drawn to, Keane explained his connection to the main character of his newest project “Over the Moon,” Fei Fei. “With Fei Fei, I knew the feeling of imagination, of believing things that not everyone can see,” Keane said.
When it comes to bringing effective characters to life, the animator explained that creating characters has to come from something within, and he can see a part of himself in all the characters he creates.
Art, no matter what form it’s in, is not merely a hobby to people like Glen Keane and many students at SCAD. Art to an artist is an extension of themself, so Keane’s personal connection to each of his animated creations is certainly something that young artists at SCAD can relate to.
Keane’s connection to Fei Fei, and the film in general, was strengthened by fellow crew members who were from China. They taught Keane about their culture. “To be surrounded by people who really knew the culture was my oxygen for this movie,” Keane said.
Even language barriers couldn’t stop Keane from finding a way to connect with fellow crew members. This is exemplified in a story he told about his first meeting with “Over the Moon” costume designer Guo Pei. She didn’t speak English, and Keane didn’t speak Chinese, but the two spent an hour and a half together communicating through drawing and watercolor painting. Keane recounted the way she moved her hands as she spoke, showing how she wanted the fabric of the costumes to move in the film. Keane kept her hand movements in mind when animating.
“As artists, we’re always thinking of something better, a better way to tell the stories in our hearts,” Keane said. He doesn’t just animate characters, he immerses himself in their stories, he is inspired by them, he sees himself in them. This has allowed Keane to produce work after work that is beloved by so many. Including moderator Jenelle Riley, who pouted after a clip of “Over the Moon” ended, stating, “Oh it stopped! I was getting into that.”
See it on the District website! Glen Keane discusses the life of an artist – SCAD District
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