Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The majority of people agree that rats are disgusting animals because they are synonymous with dirty environments. It’s not surprising that many people stay away from these rodents.
However, not Walt Disney. Instead of avoiding it, Disney actually liked the four-legged animal.
When he was still in elementary school (SD), he almost every day carried out habits that some people considered strange. If school children generally carry pocket money or school supplies in their trouser pockets, Disney looks different.
He even brought his pet rat. Disney put the mouse in his pants pocket. Then, when he was bored of studying, he took the mouse out to play with him.
Practically, this kind of attitude becomes the subject of ridicule. His friends often laughed at him endlessly. Even so, Disney didn’t care about the teasing and continued to carry out similar activities from day to day until they grew up.
As an adult, he began to leave his passion behind because he entered the world of work. In 1920 or at the age of 20, Disney worked for an advertising and animation company.
As explained by Jeff Lenburg in Walt Disney: A Mouse That Roared (2011), he did this work wholeheartedly and did not feel burdened. Because he really likes the world of animation even though he’s not very good at drawing.
In this matter, Disney thinks the most important thing is imagination. If he wants to express it in the form of a picture, he can ask someone else to improve the design.
Long story short, at that company Disney produced his first work called Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (1927). Oswald will be shown in the form of a short film and cartoon.
The animation that uses rabbit visuals was unexpectedly successful in the market. The public is enthusiastic and entertained. As a result, the name of the Disney company and boss rose to fame. Both of them profited a lot.
Realizing that he would get nothing but a monthly salary, Disney decided resign. He then created his own company.
He started drawing simply whatever came to his mind. This time, he was assisted by his work friend Ub Iwerks, a famous animator in the US.
Iwerks then made animated sketches of various animals, from elephants, rabbits, birds, and so on. However, Disney didn’t see fit.
At that time of confusion, he then remembered his childhood. Memories also go back to elementary school when he was still alive happy.
He remembers very well playing with pet mice while his friends laughed at him. When that memory appeared in his mind, he immediately had an interesting idea.
“Ah, what if the rat became animation material, huh?,” he thought to himself.
He immediately took a piece of paper, made a sketch, and it became an animated mouse. The animation was then handed over to Iwerks to be perfected.
After scribbling here and there, trinkets were added to make it even better. Become an animated mouse who will later be named Mickey Mouse.
The naming of Mickey Mouse was Disney’s wife’s idea. Initially, Disney wanted to name the animation ‘Mortimer’.
However, according to Michael Barrier in The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney (2007), because it didn’t sound cute, cheerful and carefree, the wife suggested the name ‘Mickey’.
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Photo: Getty Images
Bangkok, Thailand – January 6, 2015: Mickey Mouse action figure the official mascot of The Walt Disney Company. Mickey Mouse is a funny animal cartoon character created by Walt Disney studio. |
Due to needing money, Disney immediately sold Mickey Mouse to the production house. He creates screenplays for films and cartoons. Until finally the cartoon was successfully shown in cinemas in 1928. Immediately, the film became popular with the public.
Over time, enthusiasm grew when Disney added audio to the film. So, the cartoon not only moves, but can make sounds.
In an instant, the Mickey Mouse film immediately exploded on the market. Disney’s name became famous and he suddenly became rich.
Long story short, this success made Disney’s creativity even sharper. After Mickey Mouse, he created Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, and so on.
All of his cartoons are under the Walt Disney Company. As a businessman, he pays close attention to the economic calculations of the world of animation in order to make a profit. As a result, he not only presented cartoons and obtained licenses, but also sold souvenirs and toys, all of which sold well.
From here his wealth increased. So is its popularity. During his golden era in 1937-1941, Walt Disney went back and forth to the Academy Award stage to pick up the trophy. He succeeded in becoming the undefeated king of world animation.
Unfortunately, Walt Disney’s life ended at an age far from the average age of Americans. On December 15, 1966 or at the age of 65, he died.
Even so, after his death the company and its cartoons were still produced and enjoyed by people all over the world. Likewise, his company, the Walt Disney Company, still exists.
On October 16, 2023, the Walt Disney Company celebrates 100 years of existence. The company successfully set a record as the largest entertainment and media company in the world. According to Statista, in Quarter 2 of 2023, the company will make a profit of US$ 28.1 billion or IDR 344 trillion.
Even though it is a century old and has changed leadership several times, everyone will remember that this achievement was the result of the sweat of Walt Disney, who loved playing with mice when he was young.
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