HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The creative talents who shape beloved Disney stories are stepping into the spotlight at AfroTech.<\/p>\n
Disney Visual Effects Supervisor Marlon West shared stories from his remarkable 32-year career. As a child, West said he loved The Jungle Book. His creative journey began by animating hand-drawn images for The Lion King. Today, he uses cutting-edge technology to help bring animated hits like Moana, Frozen, and the upcoming Zootopia 2 to life.<\/p>\n
“Whether it’s a character that shoots snow and ice out of her hands or a lava guardian, that’s 300 feet tall or animals of all sizes living in the same city. All those things make every film a new challenge and a new adventure,” West said.<\/p>\n
He was among nearly 70 Disney employees at AfroTech, representing the company’s commitment to diversity and authenticity. Speaking to attendees, he emphasized the importance of representation.<\/p>\n
“I love talking about what we do at Disney,” he said, “I love talking about animation. I love talking to communities of color, people who may not see themselves working at Disney,” West said.<\/p>\n
Experiencing his first AfroTech, he described the conference as “wonderful,” and encouraged attendees to combine their unique perspectives to make magic. At Disney, collaboration is key.<\/p>\n
“The thing about working in animation at Disney is that all these different artists are doing things typically done solo: drawing, sculpting, writing, painting, coding, and we all do it together,” he said.<\/p>\n
West’s journey and message reflect the ever-evolving intersection of people, art, and technology. It also emphasizes the drive to bring new voices and diverse stories to the world.<\/p>\n
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