Storyboard artist shares his story with Book Bingo students at Saint Vincent de Paul School

Friday, Jun. 06, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY — Each year students at Saint Vincent de Paul School participate in Book Bingo throughout the school year. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades are challenged to complete a “black out” on their book bingo cards by reading eight different genre books throughout the year. At the end of the year, Giselle Airriess, the school librarian, rewards those students who have completed one or more cards.

This year students got a special treat for their end-of-the-year award party by sharing a few hours with Mark Walton, a former storyboard artist for Disney, Dreamworks and BlueSky, who grew up in Salt Lake City.  Students learned about his life and his journey to becoming a storyboard artist as well as the voice of Rhino in the movie Bolt.

Sharing his story with the 50 students who had completed their book bingo, Walton said that his journey began when he saw the movie Pinocchio. He was so enthralled by all of the characters that, right after seeing the movie, he went home and started drawing. He continued to draw in high school, where he also acted, and then went on to Utah State University, graduating in 1998 with a degree in illustration. 

Seeking employment, he was encouraged by a friend to apply at Disney. He told the students he thought he was not good enough to work for a company like Disney, but in 1999 he was hired as an additional writer. Throughout the 2000s he became a storyboard artist and worked on Home on the Range, 101 Dalmatians II, Chicken Little and Bolt, to name a few.  In 2008, he was the voice for Rhino the hamster in Bolt.

He shared his many talents and fun personality by drawing caricatures of students, capturing each one’s unique style and personality. In addition, students got to shout out their favorite scene from the movie Bolt, and Walton then reiterated Rhino the hamster’s lines. Students were all smiles, giggles and laughs as Rhino’s voice came to life.