Determinedly doing whatever it takes to achieve your goals is the motivating and inspiring way Walt Disney launched one of the largest and most successful studios in American cinema. In celebration of the highly anticipated release of ‘Walt Before Mickey’ on DVD and VOD this Saturday, December 5, which would have been the 114th birthday of the famed animator, Shockya has an exclusive clip from the biographical drama.
The scene features Thomas Ian Nicholas playing the title film producer, and Jodie Sweetin starring as Walt’s aunt, Charlotte Disney, who’s helps him type a letter to distributor Margaret Winkler. Walt explains to Margaret in his letter that he left his position at Laugh-O-Gram Films so that he could move to Los Angeles. He added that once he arrives in California, he intends start his own company and his produce his own animated films.
‘Walt Before Mickey’ also features Jon Heder as Walt’s brother, Roy Disney, and David Henrie as Rudy Ising, who co-founded the Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer animation studios. The biographical drama chronicles Walt’s early years and his career leading up to his visionary creation of Mickey Mouse. The film takes viewers on a journey through the passion, ambition and dreams of a man who would go on to capture millions of hearts across the world, and inspire dreams for generations to come.
From Walt’s early childhood in Marceline, Missouri, the story begins with his obsessive ambition to be an artist. Pursuing his goal as a young adult he opens his first business, the animation company Laugh O Gram Studios in Kansas City. He brings together his Dream Team of friends and talented artists who support him through his ever-growing struggles in a burgeoning industry. As the first employer to give women an opportunity in the animation world, his fortitude and sense of decency shine through even his darkest hours. Not the best money manager, Disney faces mounting bills, bill collectors, process servers and ultimately, his fear of failure.
‘Walt Before Mickey,’ which opened to a successful theatrical release in August, marks the feature film directorial debut of Khoa Le. The drama is based on the book by Timothy S Susanin, and its screenplay was penned by producers Arthur L. Bernstein and Armando Gutierrez.
Watch Shockya’s exclusive clip, and check out images and artwork, from ‘Walt Before Mickey’ below. For more information on the biopic, visit the film’s official website, as well as its Facebook and Twitter pages.
Written by: Karen Benardello