Hollywood Dreamers: Dream Big & Inspire
4th. Article in our series Bringing Spirituality back to Hollywood
By Littlebells
Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll fall among the stars.
–Les Brown
All children have dreams of who and what they want to be when they grow up. They fantasize about being the first astronaut to Mars, a Disney Princess, or a famous explorer in the Amazon jungle. Dreams are without limits. However it seems as humans, we tend to put restrictions and limits on what we think we can achieve. This article is to recognize those who dreamed big and inspire others to make their dreams come true.
"Somehow I can't believe there are any heights that can't be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C's. They are Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, and Constancy and the greatest of these is Confidence. When you believe a thing, believe it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably."
Walt Disney changed the entertainment industry as we know it and pioneered the field of animation. His vision came from memories of his past with dreams of the future. Born in 1901 he was one of five children and grew up with interests in art and drawing. After the First World War, he started producing short animations for local businesses. Unfortunately he ran out of money and went bankrupt. At the age of 22, he packed up and headed to Hollywood to start a new career. He was not your typical Hollywood entertainer. He would rather stay home with his family than socialize with the who's who of the entertainment world.[1]
In 1928 Walt created Mickey Mouse and 84 years later, Disney has a legacy and empire that is unprecedented. Disney has innumerable ownership and affiliates in studios, media/ interactive media, resorts/ amusement parks, and consumer products.[2] Disney's vision was to bring joy and happiness to others and yet it is a multi billion-dollar industry. Can you imagine a world without Disney? And do you think Disney would feel his vision is being kept alive?
"I dream for a living."
Born in 1946, Spielberg dreamed of making movies at a very early age. By 12 he had completed his first production with script and actors. In 1960 he was the youngest director hired by Universal. Spielberg has directed some of the most famous movies made (JAWS, E.T., Schindler's List) and has received 3 Academy Awards, the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and the Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award and the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his work. [3]
In 1994, he created DREAMWORKS, which as created films like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, and Bee Movie. He has not limited himself to just directing but has become a producer, writer, cinematographer, and editor.
"I was set free because my greatest fear had been realized, and I still had a daughter who I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."
Rowling was a single mother when the first three installments of her Harry Potter series took over the top three slots on the New York Best Seller list. She had started writing the story of a young wizard while trying to raise her daughter and living on welfare. She was always convinced she would be a writer and this was her opportunity. Little did she know that she would capture the hearts of young and old with her story. After a number of rejections she was finally able to sell it for publication and received an equivalent of $4k. By 2000 all three books had earned approximately $480 million.
Sufficed to say, she is no longer struggling or on welfare. She is one of Britain's top wealthiest women. In 2008 she wrote another book, The Tales of Beetle the Bard. She donated all the royalties to Children's High Level Group, a charity she co-founded to support institutionalized children in Eastern Europe. She is currently working on a novel for adults. [4]
Please join our discussion Thursday 3/15/2012@7pmEST/12UTC
[1] http://www.justdisney.com/walt_disney/biography/long_bio.html
[2] http://corporate.disney.go.com/corporate/overview.html
[3] http://www.biography.com/people/steven-spielberg-9490621
[4] http://www.biography.com/people/jk-rowling-40998?page=1
Tags: Dreamworks, J.K. Rowling, Steven Spielberg, Walt Disney
Author littlebells
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109 Responses to "Hollywood Dreamers: Dream Big & Inspire"
Open Book March 14, 2012 at 12:19 PM #
Great selection LB and inspiring article. I really like J.K. Rowling. Amazing!!
littlebells March 14, 2012 at 3:44 PM #
Thanks OB! I know Paris watched a documentary on J.K. Rowling, so I know she will be able to contribute a lot. 🙂
I wanted to mention that my pick of Walt Disney wasn't to point out how massive his empire has grown. Yes it is massive, but Disney's vision was to create entertainment for families and to bring happiness and joy to their lives. It just so happened that his vision hit such a strong point in the world's heart that it has become what it is today. Disney was a very simple man. A business man, but still a simple man.
I'm dropping in early to present some questions that you can start thinking about.
How does spirituality tie into the dreams and visions of our three artists? What was it about their dream/vision that made it explode and take off? Does it go deeper than just the desire to create?
Open Book March 15, 2012 at 11:20 AM #
Good Q LB-
Let me think. I will have to come back and answer it later today. Looking forward to the discussion.
Open Book March 15, 2012 at 7:05 PM #
LB-
I answered your Q's below.
crelief March 15, 2012 at 5:45 PM #
LB,
Great topic. I'm going to think about it and attempt to give it a shot later.
parisienne March 15, 2012 at 6:48 PM #
Awesome Article! What inspired you to pick these three people?
Spirituality played a big role for all three of them. In their own way, they all used the Law of Attraction.
Hi Paris,
What is the "law of attraction?"
Hi Paris & CR!
Hi Paris!
So glad you liked it. Well I have always loved Walt because he had just a simple vision that ignited quite a fire. He seemed very humble despite his famous legacy. He wanted to make people happy. I have some great quotes from him that I will post. 🙂
And happiness is definitely a form of spirituality. Also the gift of giving. he wanted to do for others and he achieved that goal.
Sorry I don't necesarily see the spiritual connection but I do see other similarities. IMHO, what unites all of these people is they are not just creative types but their all entertainment innovators as well.
Hi CR!
I wanted to point out that spirituality doesn't mean religious. Not that you were thinking that at all. I know some people who can't distinguish the two. I think the spirituality comes from following the desires of their heart, trusting that it will work itself out despite any adversity, and giving people something that makes them feel good inside.
I agree that these people were also innovators! And what they created reached millions of people and touched them in such a way that the dream continues. They inspire others to pursue their dreams. Having to dig deep, make the best of things and give of yourself are very spiritual elements.
Well said LB!!
Hi BTW!!
I can get with that.
You can dig it? 🙂
……….I mean Walt Disney, what can you say negative. Well people do, but his contributions to the entertainment industry are legendary. Where hasn't he made an essential contribution; live action, animation, musicals, soundtracks, where should I stop or can I stop?
hahahaha!!! yes it is very true you can't say anything negative about Disney. Now the company itself, thats a different story. I wonder what he would think about how his empire has grown if he were here today. I was blown away by all that Disney owns and is affiliated with. It's more the man himself who is inspiring, not his empire.
Point well taken
Honestly, I think Disney would hate what is happening to his company and his employees now. I've had many discussions about this.
When you see Missrepresentation, there is a quote from an internal memo Eisenhower sent that talked about how everything they were doing was about making money and nothing else. Keep your eyes open for it!
I agree. I think he would be disgusted. Fortunately there are many of us who see his dream for what it is.
I read a book about Eisner once. I didn't make it all the way through because i was disgusted by it. I should find it again. Anyhow, they kept Roy Disney in the company to save face but basically told him he didn't have to come to any of the meetings anymore. He was fired from his uncle's own company.
I heard that too. It's sad!
OMG, I'm so friggin' stupid. Will you please edit my horrendous mistake OB!!!! *face palm and so completely embarrassed* I know his name. I really really do and was obviously thinking two different things when writing.
O.k.!
Despite his relative youth, as a filmmaker Spielberg is the founding father of so many entertainment standards. He set the bar high with animatronics, CGI, Motion Capture, you name it he seems unstoppable. And he has a dramatic Oscar to boot.
And last but certainly not the least J.K. Rowling, changed all of our expectations about the quality that we should expect from children's books, what a block buster film franchise actually is, and reminds us that women are as integral participants as writers as anyone else.
Yes, yes, and YES!
I was absolutely blown away by J.K. Rowling. She is such an inspiration.
You should share everything you learned from that documentary/biography you watched!
I would but this is your time. 🙂
sure if LB doesn't mind. When J.K. was younger she used to play witches and wizards with her friends just like kids her play cops and robbers.
Haha! That's great!
Her sister became ill as a child and to make her feel better J. would write her stories (which her mother saved)
She always knew she wanted to be a writer but her dad was of the mindset that writing isn't a real job and one needs a real job.
she worked for various places doing secretarial work and teaching. one of her teaching jobs was to teach english to children in Spain. IIRC. Anyhow, she had some flatmates that wanted to go out (she wasn't very social) and begged her to come with them to a bar. She went to the bar and there she met a man. Now its unclear how long she knew this man for before she married him but they eloped.
Keep going!! LOL!!
I'm going to get her bio tonight.
they elope and have a baby and she gives up teaching but her husband loses his job and ends up drinking away all their money and sleeps around.
She offers to go back to work and he basically tells her no and he beats the crap out of her.
so she leaves him. flat out leaves. doesn't tell him where she's going or anything. she goes back to her father and sister. She can't find any work so she applies for welfaire.
the welfare people tell her if you make over a certain amount of money you lose your benefits. so she and her daughter move into this apartment. she can't find work but she's constantly writing Harry Potter. In fact, on the train to a job interview is how she came up with his name. She just imagined it.
to make a long story short. She buys a typewriter to finish HP. Her sister reads it and tells her that she needs to publish it. Her response was "no one will ever read it." LOL She knew straight out that she was going to write 7 books and wrote the last chapter of the last book and filled in the gaps as she went. She also did all her own illustrations.
She sends to manuscript out to different companies and no one will publish her. The last one she sent it to was the one who published her.
This is fantastic. I just ordered her bio!
Re: "writing isn't a real job and one needs a real job."
Hmm! Where have I heard that before? LOL!!
Duh, of course not! 🙂
Hi LB-
Q: "How does spirituality tie into the dreams and visions of our three artists?"
A: I think Walt Disney said it best. Courage and Confidence are the most important attributes in going after ones dreams. Faith to step out unto the unknown can be a lonely venture but can be the most rewarding.
Absolutely! Disney, Spielberg and Rowling, I doubt, had any idea how much their passion for their dreams would expand and grow and turn into a foundation for others to build their dreams and visions.
Q: "What was it about their dream/vision that made it explode and take off?"
A: All of them had new ideas but their concepts and stories were relatable and heart felt. Meaning people could identify with a curious boy finding a friend like E.T. and helping him get home. I cried after seeing E.T. I still get choked up thinking about it.
Heartfelt is the key word. When a film encompasses real experiences and emotions of love, sorrow, compassion, etc…they are reaching the human spirit. many films do not. Many films make us feel violated, dirty, angry and depressed. Those are not inspiring.
E.T. is one of my favorites. I honestly sobbed every time I watched the film until I watched it in Spanish in my senior Spanish class. hahah!!!I think Spielberg did an incredible job of incorporating fantasy with love, sacrifice, caring for others who are different, and doing whatever it took to help someone.
ITA about E.T.
Yes! Yes! E.T. does reach the human spirit and inspires u to give and make sacrifices. Ahh! Beautifully said LB!
Mr. Speilberg is really sly. I really don't know too manyy director's whose Sci Fi makes you get emotional.
My list of Speilberg Sci Fi weapers:
– E.T.
– Close Rncounters
– A.I
Q; "Does it go deeper than just the desire to create?"
A: Yes! One has to be curious and love to explore the unknown. The explorer has to be content being alone so u can experiment and fail a few times and that's not always sexy or make u popular. Failure makes us go deeper, humbles us so that when we succeed? We want to keep exploring and get better and better. I guess u need a passion for life.
I agree completely. Humility goes a long way. I think it goes even deeper than that. I think we all have special gifts and talents given to us to develop and share. I think that desire to create is our spirit nudging us in the direction we should be going to make best use of our skills to make a difference and benefit others. Does that make sense? I will explore this more in a minute. 🙂
Yes!! Perfectly!!
Can u explain what u mean by "The Law of Attraction?"
Sure I can explain the law of attraction. 🙂 In very simple terms. Like attracts Like The first step in the law of attraction is Vision/Dreams/Imagination. All three of these people were able to dream their future.
Ahh! Perfectly said!
U said: WD wanted to make people happy. I like that!!
U Said: "Many films make us feel violated, dirty, angry and depressed. Those are not inspiring."
I know the answer but this Q is to everyone. Why do u think HW chooses to make these films when films like E.T. and others like it make more money?
Would you like me to give you a spiritual POV? Because you know I will. 🙂
Yes! Yes!
*taps diamond encrusted mic*
If we were to step out of the "world" and look at things from a spiritual nature, you would see two forces at work: one that is full of goodness and hope and one that is seeks to destroy all goodness and leave hopelessness in its wake. Wherever good is, evil follows.
Now evil doesn't come right out and say, "Hey go commit horrendous murders! Show wild crazy sex in front of minors! Go drink and drive and commit manslaughter!" No evil is cunning, sly, and subtle. That is how our tolerances for so many things that are not good (not gonna make a list) have gone down over the decades and centuries. It was always there, but the more public things become the more tolerant we become of them until eventually they are a part of us, whether good or bad.
Moving on, 🙂 , society has become so immune to sex, violence, substance abuse, other types of abuse, and so forth that when something good comes it's way, its shocking and uncomfortable. Actually it works both ways. The more intune you are to goodness, the more repulsed you are to evil. Vice versa.
I swear I'm getting to the question. The point is, HW seems to make more money on films that don't incorporate spiritual qualities. It's not to say it doesn't happen, but like I said, society seems to be getting worse and worse. HOWEVER there is still a large part that disagree (thank goodness!) with how films should be made. The more we make people aware of how entertaining a great, wonderful, positive story can be, the less we will have need of crap films.
Actually it seems more and more people are fighting for more quality films which is great.
Umm…I think I totally lost myself and the question in this soap box session, so here *hands mic to Paris*
Applause! Applause! Take a bow!
Paris your up next!!
you want me to go on after that? i can't beat that.
I'm closing my mouth and sitting back in my seat.
ITA! LB did a fantastic job!
Paris-LOL! I just like to challenge people. U have not figured that out yet about me?
yes i know you do. but i still couldn't beat that. 🙂
Yeah! Me either. LOL!!
shall i get the diamond mic? LOL
*passes LB diamond mic*
Who are some people in the entertainment field that you would say are inspiring and have contributed something worthy and good to the human race?
Oprah.
aaaaaaand??? 🙂 I know you have lots to share about her. What was it about her as a person that has made her name everlasting?
Well she has given so much to people. She is really one of my biggest inspirations. I get speechless and I'm sure I would be speechless if I ever met her.
That's fantastic! I think the greatest thing I re-learned from her was to be our authentic selves. Quit pretending to be someone you aren't, which is what Hollywood pushes and pushes and pushes. Embrace everything about yourself and love that person. 🙂
Your so sweet but that was a lame answer I gave.LOL!! There are so many things she has inspired me to do as a women its too numerous to count.
Would u call being authentic and vulnerable the same thing?
Yes, because people can be ruthless when they tell you what they think of you as a person. If you are authentic you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable to others opinions but you really won't give to sticks about it because you are being true to yourself. When you are true to yourself you are much happier.
Ahh! Perfectly said! This is turning into a great night. Love IT!
I went to Oprah's show once. Way back in the mid 90's. Then I didn't understand spirituality so i thought she was really stuck up. she's not of course but thats what teenage me thought.
LOL! People often think those who have high standards for themselves are stuck up. Why is that?
IDK. I think its because those people don't hold themselves to a higher standard.
Yep! I think people feel intimidated when they see others trying to do better for themselves IMO!! A lot of people get a crab in a barrel mentality when others remind them they should be challenging themselves to do better.
I'M SO JEALOUS!!!!!!
Don't be. I froze my behind off and couldn't hear anything. i had to rewatch the show on t.v. just to hear her.
I'm a giant sucker for director Guillermo del Toro. But I know nothing about his non-media life.
The Devil's Backbone – trailer
Pan's Labryinth, A Tribute http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRSmFNne8O4&feature=related
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army (1/10) Movie CLIP – Attack of the Tooth Fairies
Forget it.
I got your back, CR. 🙂
I remember seeing this film, but I don't remember it much. Ah, I hate when I do that.
What is it about Guillermo and his work that you love so much?
I really like South American magical realism in literature. Like Gabriel Garcia Marquez though I've heard others describe Toni Morrison's writng that way.
Del Torro seems to be the only latin american director who can visually translate that into film.
I was looking for a spiritual creator who seems align with your sensibility on the topic.
Wow, I just learned something completely awesome about you! Wow! Wow! And yes, I agree!!!
I think were both learning.
SMILE!! Ahh! That makes me happy!!
These people in the article, plus countless others, have used faith and trust to make their dreams come true. That;s why I loved The Lorax so much. That last song "Let it Grow" is more than just about a tree growing. Everyone has a seed inside of them that if we nourish it and do something with it, will make a difference!
Beautifully said LB!!
I loved that message from the Lorax as well.
Goodnight, very uplifting discussion tonight. Loved it!!
Who inspires you?
I inspire me. 🙂
I need to go for the evening, but thank you for such a wonderful discussion. CR, thank you for your participation. I know this was probably pretty different for you. 🙂
If you have other questions for me, I will be back! 🙂
Have a wonderful night!
I'm tired of wrestling with computer problems so I'm going to head out also. Again cool topic LB.
See you all later. I will return to see how everything concludes.
Night!
I'm going to head out as well. Very great topic and discussion. I will come back later and and respond as well.
Goodnight All!