Walt Disney Studios has been the leader in animated films since the their first feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1939. Over the past 70 years Disney animators have continued to push the evolution of their industry in both art and storytelling, and are raising the bar once again with their latest feature, Tangled.

The swashbuckling, computer-animated comedy is an adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm story Rapunzel, and marks the studio’s 50th production. Helping produce this milestone is Full Sail Computer Animation graduate Lance Summers, who is working as a Look Development Artist at Disney’s California studio. Lance was hired at the company shortly after graduation, making it through their intensive trainee program, and eventually being offered a full time position in late 2009.

“It’s been very cool just being in this environment,” he says. “You’re surrounded by all this amazing artwork, and pass guys like Ron Clements and John Musker [directors of *The Little Mermaid*] in the hallway. It’s awesome working in the same place as these guys, and being able to have conversations with them because they’re so good at their craft.”

Lance has been working with many of the studio’s top artists on Tangled, and has taken a lot of pride in helping develop that signature Disney “magic.” As a Look Development Artist, his role on the team has been focused on texturing and shading models, as well as creating foliage and hair for the characters and environments.

“We come in as soon as the modelers and visual development artists finish – we’ll pick up their elements right away and start working with them,” he says. “There’s definitely enough to go around here, and I’ve had the chance to touch a lot of different things in the film. I really enjoy running around and helping tons of people, especially lighters which look development works so closely with."

The past decade has been a competitive time for the animation industry, with dozens of new releases vying to be the industry’s next touchstone. Studios are continually trying to outdo each other with the creativity and scope of their films, which has led to major advancements in the technology used to create them. Disney has been a forerunner of many of these innovations, and Tangled is continuing to see the studio utilize new proprietary software to create the visuals you’ll see on screen.

“For this film the thing that’s most impressive is definitely the technology behind the animation,” he says. “I think the animation is some of the best that we’ve done so far – which is saying a lot – and as far as technology goes, there’s so much that’s been created for this film. [Rapunzel] has 70-foot-long hair, and in some of these sequences, I don’t know how we’re pulling off the effects, it’s just amazing. We have some of the most superior tools out there, and it’s really a revolutionary film.”

Lance and the rest of the animation team are currently winding down production on Tangled, putting on the final touches before its 2010 Thanksgiving release date. After almost two years working at Disney – his entire professional career – he’s looking forward to going to the theater this winter and finally seeing his first feature film up on screen.

“What’s amazing is that you go to the theater as a kid and you never think that you’re going to see your work there, so it’s just awesome to think about it coming out,” he says. “Really, a texture that you hand painted is going to be right up there for people to see, and it’s just awesome to think about. We put so much effort into this film – the art direction is just insane – and people have already been saying that it looks amazing just from the trailer. I just feel really lucky with where I’m at right now, working here. I ended up exactly where I wanted.”