Let me tell you about my freshman comp research paper on Walt Disney. Granted, it was a LONG time ago, but still...
I decided to write about Walt and his contributions to WWII leading into the company's philanthropic spirit. That's all I remember about the paper. The experience on the other hand...
I decided I needed to go interview someone in person for said paper, so I called someone in the Burbank studios and was told they didn't grant interviews like that. So, I called again and again and again until the secretary finally caved (and laughed) and set up a time for me. My Dad worked for American at the time, so my mom and I flew standby to California, rented a car and drove to the Disney studio in Burbank. They greeted me like I was a movie star and showed me up to the office of the gentleman I would interview. I'm sure he was completely annoyed with this snotty 17yo waltzing into his office with what I'm sure were the dumbest questions EVER, but he kindly answered all of them and left me in the care of his secretary with instructions for her to give me anything I needed.
While we were going through the file cabinets trying to come up with "good stuff", a young man walked in and she said, "OH! Here's someone I'd like you to meet!" and introduced me to Chris Miller. Walt Disney's grandson was standing there shaking my hand smiling at me and making me fall in love with his DNA.
I know, stalker. He took me for coffee (I think, I don't remember...) in the cafeteria among all of the amazing and creative people, then I got to see bits of the Little Mermaid in production. Wow. Simply wow. After I was returned to the secretary's office, she handed me my packet of information and thanked ME for coming! I told my mom I never wanted to wash my hand, b/c I had Walt's DNA on me!!!
Inside the packet, besides all of the things I could use for my paper, were 2 free passes for my mom and I to go to
Disneyland the next day.
They were the kindest, nicest, most generous business people I had ever met and it galvanized my dream of wanting to work for the company Walt built some day.
As to your question
:
It's not about Walt, but Lee Cockerell's new book, Creating Magic, is an awesome reference for anyone who ever is going to be a leader (or a parent) and might make a good jumping off point for a research paper...
