In 1967 Andreas Deja was only ten-years old. He was young, but boy was he full of determination and dreams. He had just seen the animated film the Jungle Book and could not believe his eyes. Deja recalled this special memory in his novel,”Nine Old Men,” “It was one of those experiences because I just couldn't believe what I'd seen. All those drawings moving, thinking, and acting so real.” It was because of this that Deja was motivated to go ahead and apply for a job as a Disney animator.
He was denied a position as Disney told him that there were no available positions at the time but they encouraged him to keep working towards his goal. He applied again at the age of 20, and this time he was accepted. Deja begin working for Disney and living his dream as an animator. To make things even better, he began working with one of Walt’s “Nine Old Men,” Eric Larson. Lardon was known for taking younger animators and mentoring them along their journey and helping them develop their craft.
Deja expressed the feelings he had when Larson would review his drawings, “watching him as a he strengthened my poses and timing was intimidating and thrilling at the same time.” Deja said that Larson’s input into his drawings were, “pure magic.” He could barely fathom that he was working with this legendary animator and coming face to face with a man who was filled with endless talent.
As the years went on Deja would go to the Disney archives and study what past animators did and their techniques. He used these studies to help inspire his characters and develop his skills as an animator. He was a prime example of a student becoming a master. As Disney’s “Nine Old Men” had retired Deja was able to learn from their previous works. He never quit and continued to learn as time passed.
Some of his earlier movies where he did animation on were hits like, “The Black Cauldron,” “The Great Mouse Detective,” and even “Aladdin.” One of the first villains he created was Gaston from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” From there his darker side began to shine through and was portrayed in his characters like Gaston, Jafar, Scar, and Queen Narissa. Thus giving him the nickname, “The King of Villains.”
In 2015 at the D23 Expo, he was honored as a Disney Legend. With such a huge accomplishment he was now someone that incoming animators looked up to for mentoring and inspiration. He was one of the last animators that did it the old fashioned way. Before technology interrupted our world and slowly took over, he was still at his animation desk, sketching out the next character for the next greatest movie.
Gerald Gaitan and Dave Salas were able to meet with this Disney Legend and were in awe from his skill set. While their time with him was short they took in all the advice and stories he could offer. He told them how he used a pastry from his home in Germany to influence him on the anatomy of everyone’s favorite “Golden Boy”, Hercules. When taking a close look at the head of the “Golden Boy” you will notice how his ear swirls, kind of like a cinnamon bun, right? Well, that was the inspiration for used for an ear.
Deja, Gaitan, and Salas all had the honor and pleasure of knowing and speaking with some of the "Nine Old Men," including Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. These two legends along with Ward Kimball and Marc Davis were described by Alice Davis as “Actors with Pencils.“
Inspiration comes from all over. Whether its a cat running through the backyard like Ward Kimball, like Alice Davis and changing from dirty old men costumes to sweet children in the span of a day, or its a cinnamon bun like Andreas Deja, creativity can be seen in the littlest things. Over the last few weeks Gaitan and Salas have shared their personal stories, memories, and pictures with these Disney Legends with City News Group and our readers. It has been an amazing journey to hear the lives and stories of the men and women who were influential to our worlds through animation and entertainment. Gatian hopes that artists young and old will read these stories and gain inspiration. That artists will “open their eyes, draw a circle without using your hand, and let their eyes be their windows, and to never give up on a dream.” Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” So whether its Tinkerbell and her persistence, Jiminy Cricket and his conscious, or Mulan and her determination, never give up on what your dreams are, because you never know where they may lead you.
Gaitan had this to say in closing with his memories of these legends, "It’s easy to draw a character, but to make that character laugh, cry, smile, walk, run or even sing, takes a lot of training and talent which all comes from learning, and studying. Having a dream is one thing but you also have to have motivation and a desire to put some time and effort into that dream. Not only did we meet Disney Legends, but also animation legends from other studios. These legends were Chuck Jones, Director of many Warner Bros. Cartoons, Bill Melendez, Director of all the Charlie Brown television cartoons, and Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. Joe Barbera became a personal friend to me and I would meet with him on a regular basis. What I liked about Joe Barbera was, he never forgot where he came from. He always welcomed me into his office, studio, and his home and we would talk about cartoons. The type of kindness from all these legends helped me to pursue and accomplish my dream and goal of making someone laugh and smile with a cartoon. I hope this article and story will encourage other people to mentor, inspire, assist, motivate, and educate others trying to make their dreams come true."
For all of our young artists please be sure to check out the contest that City News Group is having! Ages 7-17, let your creativity flow and you imaginations go wild!