On the Town: Producer tells audience ‘Why We Create’
Don Hahn, who produced Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, and “The Lion King,” looked out at the gathered assemblage at the Colony Theatre this past week.
Addressing the audience, largely composed of students from Burbank schools, Hahn said each person in the room was a storyteller in their own right.
“The creative process — art — is a little talent and a lot of practice,” he said. “The single most important thing you can do is to express yourself and start. Don’t wait for the phone to ring. If you want to succeed faster, increase the frequency of your failures.”
Appearing at the Colony as a part of the Burbank Arts For All Foundation’s Creative Circles Forum program, the award-winning director, producer and author’s keynote presentation was titled “Why We Create.”
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Along with “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast,” Hahn was an executive producer of the acclaimed Disneynature Films “Earth,” “Oceans,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee,” and most recently produced the feature film “Maleficent” starring Angelina Jolie.
Beginning his career as an assistant director to legendary producer Wolfgang Reitherman, who brought “Jungle Book” and “101 Dalmatians” to the big screen, Hahn went on to add a string of classic films to his resume including “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Atlantis,” “Fantasia 2000” and “The Emperor’s New Groove.”
As an author, Hahn has penned numerous books on animation, art and creativity. He also serves on the advisory board for the Walt Disney Family Museum and also serves on the board of directors for PBS SoCal.
“Burbank Arts for All Foundation is thrilled to host this incredible opportunity for creative students of all ages,” Trena Pitchford, the foundation’s executive director, told last week’s audience. “Don has produced some of the most beloved animated classics of our time. Whether he is working with traditional animation, stop-motion, live action or a documentary, Don’s work has consistently delivered compelling and emotionally powerful stories to audiences around the world.”
After sharing his insights on storytelling, what it takes to produce films, combine artistic elements and tap into one’s own creativity, Hahn met with audience members during a reception in the Colony’s lobby.
Among the notables in attendance at last week’s forum were Burbank City Council members Emily Gabel-Luddy and Bob Frutos, City Clerk Zizette Mullins, Burbank Unified school board member Roberta Reynolds, Dick Cook, chief executive and founder of Dick Cook Studios, and Bruce Hendricks, who serves as the president of production with Dick Cook Studios.
Among those who made last week’s forum a success were foundation board members Carrie Brown, Bob Mohler, Freddy Jarjour, Jill Vander Borght, Alexandra Helfrich, Craig Murray, Tom Vice, Barbara Beckley, Karen Broderick, Ruth Davidson-Guerra, Mauro Diaz, Debbie Kukta, Kevin McCarney, Joan McCarthy, Lili Rossi, Carson Smith, Caroline Ross Solberg, Cathy Stevens, Heidi Trotta, Karen Volpei-Gussow, Suzanne Weerts and board advisers Peggy Flynn and Daniel Swartz.
The Burbank Arts For All Foundation’s mission is to ensure every student in Burbank public schools receives a quality arts education as part of their core curriculum. All proceeds from the Creative Circles Forum, as well as the group’s other community events and fundraisers, directly benefit the foundation’s work.
For more information about the organization’s work, upcoming events — including its Nov. 5 Secret Art Show — and volunteer and financial support opportunities, visit burbankartsforall.org.
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DAVID LAURELL may be reached by email at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.