Disney Shows What You Can Do, Even Working From Home

Right now, all over the United States, millions of people are trying to figure out how to get real work done while working from home. I get it, I’ve been working from home for years, and it can certainly be a challenge. If, however, you were in need of a little inspiration about exactly what you could accomplish, Disney is here for you.

Today, the company released a digital short film featuring everyone’s favorite animated snowman, Olaf. That’s not, in and of itself, that big of a deal until you realize the entire thing was made by two people working from home.

Watch this all-new @DisneyAnimation digital short with everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Come back tomorrow for more #AtHomeWithOlaf, created at home by Hyrum Osmond. Voiced from home by @JoshGad. #DisneyMagicMoments pic.twitter.com/RZP6HhAhDX

— Disney (@Disney) April 6, 2020

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Disney had released Frozen II on its streaming service, Disney+, a few months early for people who were suddenly stuck at home as their states imposed “stay at home” orders. Now it appears the company has again decided to delight its customers with something special. But it’s the way it did it that is the real delight.

Josh Gad, who voices the character of Olaf in both Frozen films, wrote and recorded his voice from home. Hyrum Osmond, the animator who oversees the animation of Olaf in Frozen and led the animation for Moana, worked from home to create this 50-second piece that is as fun as it is simple.

Here’s the thing: Just because your work situation might have changed doesn’t mean your work has to. Also, it doesn’t mean that work can’t be a little, well, fun. Yes, things are different right now. Many people are used to the structure of an office and the familiarity of a set schedule. Now, instead of structure, there’s flexibility. Instead of a set schedule, most of the time there’s just borderline chaos. Especially if you have children.

But since when does creativity require an office? Since when does being productive mean sitting in a cubicle? If nothing else, the current situation should disabuse us of those ideas for good.

Imagine, just for a minute, the pitch meeting for this project. “Hey, let’s just make something fun that our fans will love!” 

“OK, I’ve got some time, let’s do it. You write it, I’ll bring it to life!” 

I have no idea if that’s how this project happened, but that’s how I imagine it. This is Disney, after all. And according to the company, this was just the first in a “series,” meaning we can expect to see more fun like this, created at home, in the future.

The challenge for your business is to think creatively about what you can do right now, where you are, with the tools you have. What can you bring to life?

Oh, and try to have a little fun.