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Walt decided to think about what he was most passionate about. It
was clear that it was drawing. He wanted to become a cartoonist.
However, his father insisted that he work in a factory.
“I don’t want that kind of job,” Walt said.
“Then, what do you want to do, Walt?” his father asked.
“I want to be an artist.”
“How do you expect to make a living as an artist?” his father asked.
“I don’t know," Walt replied.
Much against his father’s wishes, Walt packed all his belongings and boarded a train and
reached Kansas city. There were no openings for a cartoonist. Finally, Walt applied for an art
studio that was looking for an apprentice. The owners were impressed with him.
They offered him a job. Walt met a man named UB
Iwerks, who was also an artist. They became friends
and decided to start a business together. But it lasted
only for one month. Later, Walt joined Kansas City
Film Ad Company as an artist. He was introduced to
animation. Soon, he learnt all about animation. He
created a makeshift studio in his garage and started
making his own cartoons. Soon he became confident
and showed his cartoons to another company named
the Newman Theatre Company. The manager was
impressed and agreed to feature Walt’s cartoons. They
became so popular that Walt quit his job and started
Laugh-o-Gram films. He made a series of animated
cartoons based on traditional fairytales. Though they
became popular, he could not sustain himself.
Walt suddenly realized he was homeless. He started to feel that being a cartoonist wasn’t going
to pay the bills or keep food on the table. He decided it was time to give up on his dreams.
Afterwards, he headed to Hollywood with just $40 in his pocket. His plan was to stay with
his uncle Robert and get into the movie business as a director. But luck did not favour him.
Every single studio that he applied for, rejected him. Eventually, he had to borrow money
from his brother Roy to meet his expenses. Roy suggested that he should start making
cartoons again. Walt created a makeshift studio in his uncle, Robert’s garage. He started
making fairytale cartoons again. He produced a series of Alice’s Wonderland comedies for
85 Arrow - English Plus-6