inkandpaintclub-peraza: 12/01/2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

mike peraza: Burbank, CA, United States; Born and raised in New Orleans, on Jefferson Parish just off Canal Street. Grew up enjoying gumbo and Disney animation. Attended California Institute of the Arts in 1973 when the paint was two years old. Left when I ran out of funds but not before I met some wonderful people at Disney Studio. William Lund was the acting President of Cal Arts and set up trips for me to visit the Feature Department at Disney. There I met Milt Kahl, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas and Don Bluth among others. All were gracious with their time and encouragement. After returning home, was contacted by Jack Hannah, Dean of the new Character Animation School at Cal Arts. I didn't know anything about financial aid so I worked 2 years to save up tuition. I attended during the second year of the program until I again ran out of money at the end of the first semester. Jack found out and contacted Eric Larson at Disney and the Disney family offered me a full scholarship, TA job and expense account. At the end of the year I was seeking a summer job and returned after a long day to find a note on my locker to report to Disney Animation the following Monday. That was the beginning of a wonderful ride.

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