Last summer, I took a shot and applied for a job at Disney as a sign painter. I didn’t get it—but I did register my resume and website on their job board. And ever since then, a curious thing has been happening: I’ve been getting job offers from Disney Imagineering in my inbox.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t in a place to respond. Between health scares (cancer screenings) and teetering on the edge of homelessness, life was too chaotic to dream big. But things are shifting. If my next test says I’m cancer-free, then I’m diving back in—and this time, I'm going all out for the dream job: working for Disney as an artist.
This is going to take everything I’ve got.
I’ve already started prepping. I’ve got a ton of artwork stored both digitally and physically, just waiting to be curated into an incredible professional portfolio. My website’s strong but overdue for an overhaul. I’ve had some setbacks this year—my Comic-Con San Diego and Sunset Film Festival submissions didn’t make the cut, but to be honest, I didn’t send my best work. Lesson learned.
Disney isn’t just a job—it’s the dream job for a lot of us, and the competition will be fierce. Still, I think I’ve got something unique to offer. Beyond visual art, I’ve written plays and movie scripts I think they’d appreciate. And yes, I have not one but two resumes: one for traditional employment, and another packed with art exhibitions and creative accomplishments. Next up, I’ll need help merging them into a single powerhouse document.
I’m also painfully aware that nowadays, social media is part of the resume—like it or not. So yeah… it's time to clean house. Some old rants and venting sessions are better left unseen by hiring managers. Time to delete, archive, and polish up my online presence like Cinderella before the ball.
This isn’t just a career move—it’s a total transformation. But I’m ready. I’m reaching out to old mentors from art school—Kelly Capps, Cliff Cramp, and Marciano Martinez—for advice and maybe even a letter or two. I’ve got a professional wardrobe now, thanks to the generosity of my friend and patron Jacki O. And I’m starting to refresh my Disney Imagineering profile with updated info, one section at a time.
Most importantly, I’m blogging this journey. Because win or lose, it’s worth telling the story of what happens when you reach for your dream—even if it feels impossibly far away.
Today’s Progress: Contacted former teachers for support, began updating my Disney Imagineering job board profile, reviewed my wardrobe, and—perhaps most importantly—began this blog.
Let’s see where the magic leads.
by Dan and Bonkers
SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS TODAY!!!
