Getting Started on a Career in the Arts is TCAP video podcast series that introduces educators and students to a variety of professional entertainment visual, performing, and media artists. We will hear their stories of how they got started on their arts careers and how they’ve managed to survive and thrive in the challenging entertainment industry. The show’s host is Jim Clark, House of Illusions.
Video Podcast Series Host, Jim Clark
Jim Clark spent twenty years of his professional life at Walt Disney Imagineering. His time at Imagineering culminated with his role as Senior Producer of the Tokyo Disneyland Expansion. The expansion is the largest in the history of the park. It includes four original attractions (Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Fantasyland Forest Theatre, Minnie’s Style Studio, Happy Ride with Baymax), three themed retail locations and two restaurants. As Senior Creative Producer, he helped to develop the original idea, staffed the creative team, managed the artists, and oversaw the digital video production.
While at Imagineering, Jim also contributed to a wide variety of projects including Tokyo Disney Sea Fantasy Springs, Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure, Epcot’s Mission: Space, CinéMagique at Disney Studios Paris, The Hall of Presidents (2001 and 2005 updates), Disney Kingdom Comics, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, and the World Showcase galleries at Epcot.
Jim Clark has recently completed the Fiesta Village revitalization project for Knott’s Berry Farm and Cedar Fair. Fiesta Village, a five-acre land at Knott’s Berry Farm, just re-opened in May of 2023. The project completely re-imagined the landscape with a new jungle pool and waterfall, gardens, pathways and eight new sculptures. Jim led all creative aspects of the project. He functioned as creative director, producer, in-field art director, and show design & production manager. The goal of the project was to bring the quality of the guest experience as close as possible to that of Disneyland, while working on a Knott’s budget.
Jim has a BA in Narrative Show Design from the University of Florida and an MFA in Writing from CalArts.
To view any of the series, click on the Episode button within the Series box below.
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Getting Started on a Career in the Arts
Animation with
Stephen Anderson
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Getting Started on a Career in the Arts
Programming & Visual Effects with
Tara von der Linden
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Getting Started on a Career in the Arts
Theme Park Design Producer
Jodi McLaughlin
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Getting Started on a Career in the Arts
Animation, Theme Park & Toy Design
Ethan Reed
Disclaimer
The California Arts Project is providing this free video podcast program as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by The California Arts Project. The views expressed in the podcast may not be those of the host or The California Arts Project and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.