Distinguished Alumni Awards 2011: Don Hahn

Biographical tribute video for Don Hahn (Music, Class of '75), film producer of multiple Disney animation blockbusters including "The Lion King" and "Beauty and the Beast." Mr. Hahn was one of three honorees at the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Awards.

Directed & edited by Krishna Narayanamurti
Produced by Gray Mounger, Shellie Hadvina, Cheryl McMillan, the Alumni Relations Office and the Alumni Association
Executive Producers: Vance Peterson and Stacy Lieberman for University Advancement
Narration by Karen Kearns
Unidentified Disney Animators at end of video congratulating Don:
Ruben Aquino, Russ Edmonds, Tony DeRosa, Ellen Woodbury
Animator interviews and Don Hahn archival photographs provided by Stone Circle Pictures
Patti Conklin interview shot by Cristian Ubilla
Joel Leach interview shot by Krishna Narayanamurti
assistant director: Jacquil Constant
Don Hahn's Reel (featuring Disney films and other clips) used by permission
Music by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com
Special Thanks: Don Hahn and Maggie Gisel

MIKE: Don is by far the best producer I think I've worked with in 20 years.

MARK: He's produced some of the best films that we've done here at the studio

and I think a lot of that is a reflection of Don's taste,

belief in the entertainment and the quality of the films that we make here.

ROB: He is the heart and soul of the place.

He's been here longer than anybody else. He's stayed longer than anybody else.

And I hope that he continues to stay well into the future.

(music)

NARRATOR: Alumnus Don Hahn is universally recognized as one of the most successful

animation producers of all time. His films have received numerous awards

and have grossed over two billion dollars at the worldwide box office.

At an early age, Don developed an interest in creative arts.

At North Hollywood High School he was drum major for the marching band,

a role he reprised at the Los Angeles Valley College.

Entertaining the notion of becoming a professional orchestral percussionist,

he enrolled at CSUN, where he majored in Music and played in

the Jazz "A" Band. Prior to his senior year at Northridge,

he landed a job at Disney's famed animation "morgue,"

where he discovered that animation allowed one

to blend art and music together in the same craft.

JOEL: I remember at the end of the year when Don studied percussion with me,

I asked him what he'd be doing in the summer.

Don said he had just gotten a job on the Disney lot,

and I recall him saying to me that he was going to be

riding a bicycle around Disney delivering mail.

And I thought, well let's see where that goes.

And now we know. (laughs)

By the early 1990s Don had produced the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast,

which won the Golden Globe for Best Picture

and became the first animated film nominated for a Best Picture Oscar

by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

His next film, The Lion King, broke box office records all over the world

to become the top-grossing traditionally animated film in Disney history.

ANDREAS: It's always been great having Don the producer of the film

that you're animating on, because there are so many pressures.

When you have somebody like Don who is supervising the whole thing,

he kind of keeps you calm, because Don is very calm.

TONY: The calm...

JAMES: The calm in the storm.

TONY: Actually, you put it anywhere in the storm and it stays calm.

ANDREAS: You never see him angry or upset or chewing somebody up.

ROGER: When things would go wrong, he'd go, "Well that's a mess! Isn't it?

Let's see what we can do."

There was always a sense of "can do, fix it, and let's laugh."

And that is so valuable when you're making a movie.

He made it fun.

TONY: He's one of the most generous and giving guys.

He makes you feel comfortable. He makes you feel special and unique.

And he lies really well. So I appreciate that, Don.

NARRATOR: Don made his directorial debut with the award-winning Waking Sleeping Beauty,

a documentary on Disney's animation renaissance of the 1980s and 90s.

In 2010 Don complete another documentary, Hand Held,

which brought attention to pediatric AIDS and forgotten children

in the former Soviet Bloc.

Don also serves as Executive Producer of the Disney Nature Films,

including Earth and Oceans.

JOEL: I noticed in reading Don's credits recently that he's working on

a forthcoming motion picture called Frankenweenie, and I'm trusting that

it's not in reference to any past teachers he's been associated with at CSUN.

NARRATOR: Don continues to stay close to CSUN.

In 1999 he was featured commencement speaker.

He has been a guest lecturer for the Animation program,

where he has critiqued student reels and portfolios.

Tonight, having easily reached the pinnacle of success in his field,

his alma mater presents him with its Distinguished Alumni Award.

PATTI: I cherish the years I worked with Don.

He's an amazing person and friend, and I love him dearly,

and Don, you deserve this honor.

Congratulations, Don!

Congratulations, Don!

Congratulations, Don!

Congratulations, Don!

Congratulations, Don!

Congratulations and thank you!

(music)