Mark Henn, Animator & Disney Legend: The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin
Description
Disney Legend Mark Henn, the animator behind Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Young Simba, Mulan, and Tiana, shares how a childhood spark became a career-defining experience during the Disney Renaissance. After three rejections from Disney, he found his way through CalArts and mentorship by studio greats.
We explore the acting behind animation: how he carves distinct personalities so Belle never moves like Ariel, why a swimmer's hair flip made Mulan feel real, and how personal references (like modeling Jasmine on his sister Beth) unlock a character's essence. Mark opens up about design retreats, story challenges, and balancing style with cultural research. He reflects on his passion project, John Henry, and on witnessing Disney's transformation from hand-drawn to CG.
The constant across decades? Story and character. Films resonate when viewers see themselves in the stakes and humor. Letters from fans—children who saw themselves in Tiana, teens who found confidence in Belle—affirm why these stories matter. Mark's faith grounds his focus on excellence, gratitude, and legacy: do the work with care and leave behind characters that continue to inspire.
The 10th Anniversary of the novel Allen Wolf wrote, The Sound of Violet, is now available wherever you buy books. Kirkus Reviews calls it "A heartwarming love story with standout characters that readers won’t forget.” The BookLife Prize says, “The prose has the sweet, forward-moving cadence of a great romantic comedy, and readers will swoon.” See more at thesoundofviolet.com.
United States
