8. Beginning of Animation Career
o In January 1920, Walt Disney and Ubbe Iwerks
established a short-lived company called, Iwerks-Disney
Commercial Artists. Walt purchased the necessary
equipment on his extra savings in the amount of $250.
Then he launched a broad expansion of printing and
publishing houses.
o Laugh-O-Gram Studio: The First Animation Studio:-On
May 18, 1922, Walt Disney established Laugh-O-Gram
Studio and hired his Kansas City Film Ad Company
teammate, Fred Harman (February 09, 1902 – January
02, 1982). Also, he invited to join his company his close
friend Ubbe Iwerks, Fred Harman’s brother, Hugh Harman
and Rudolf Ising.
o Hollywood & Alice Comedies: In July 1923, he arrived in
Hollywood with $40 & 1 shirt in his suitcase. Roy (Walt’s
brother) was already in California. On October 16, 1923,
Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney founded “Disney Brothers
Cartoon Studio. Walt and Roy filmed Alice Comedies
Laugh-O-Gram Studio
9. Beginning of Animation Career
o Oswald the Lucky Rabbit: In 1926, the Walt Disney
Studio received an order from a producer, Charles Mintz,
to develop an animated character and all animated
cartoon series for Universal Pictures. Ubbe Iwerks created
and drew the Oswald Rabbit. In total, they produced
twenty-six animated Oswald Rabbit’s features.
o Mickey Mouse: In the spring of 1928, Walt Disney asked
Ubbe Iwerks to develop a new character. Ubbe tried many
sketches of animals including dogs, cats, a female cow, a
male horse, a male frog; however, Walt Disney did not like
none of the ideas. Therefore, Ub started working on
improving the original sketches of Mickey Mouse.
o Snow White & the seven Dwarfs: The turning point that
played a significant role not only in the animation industry
but also in business was the creation of the world’s first
full-length animated cartoon called, Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs made in Technicolor.
Ubbe Iwerks
10. World War II & Post War Period
o In 1940, the Walt Disney Studios released full-length
features Pinocchio, an American animated musical fantasy
film, and continued to work
on Fantasia (1940), Bambi (1942), Peter Pen (1953). The
shorts teammates were working on Donald Duck,
Goofy, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto animated short series.
o When the United States entered World War II, most of the
Disney studio’s facilities were involved in cooperation with
the US Army and Navy Bureau of Aeronautics. The Disney
team was responsible for creating training and instruction
motion pictures such as Victory Through Air Power, Aircraft
Carrier Landing Signals and animated propaganda short
film, Der Fuehrer’s Face, featuring Donald Duck in a
nightmare working at a factory in Nazi Germany in horrible
conditions. The latter one won the Academy Award for
Best Animated Short Film on March 04, 1943.
o In a postwar period, the Walt Disney Studio started working
on Cinderella (1950), that became the most popular full-
length animated film since Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs.
11. Theme Park Disneyland
Idea came when he was attending
Griffith Park in Los Angeles with his
daughter.
No one was ready to invest this project
including his brother Roy as they
believed, the project would not bring
revenue.
Disney agreed to cooperate with the
joint ventures, ABC. In exchange for
investment of $5 Million.
He then purchased 160 acres of land in California.
Construction started in 16 June 1954 with total investment of $17 Million
Opening day was 17 July, 1955
Till 2014, company had 4 Disneyland Parks in California, Tokyo, Honkong &
Paris.
Also one Walt Disney in Florida.
Aerial View of 1st Disneyland in late 1950’s
12. Financials of Walt Disney Company
Revenue 2018- 5943.4 Crores USD.
Profit 2018 was 1259.8 Crores USD.