Davy Liu, Founder and Creative Director at Kendu Films, Episode 167
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Davy Liu’s passion for his work was instilled in him from the very beginning. Davy’s family immigrated to the United States from Taiwan when he was thirteen, and he sought refuge in his natural talent – art – as he struggled to adapt to the new culture and language. After graduating from Ringling School of Arts and Design in Florida, Davy became a Disney animator and worked on films including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mulan, and The Lion King. Davy founded Kendu Films in 2004 and is working on a series of animation and picture books called the “Invisible Tails” series, retelling historical stories from a brand new perspective.
I’m excited to have Davy on the show to share with us how he found his passion for art when he moved with his family from Taiwan to the USA and ended up pursuing a career as an animator. Davy explains why, although he loved his job as a Disney Animator, he felt he had to move on and what God called him to do with his talents. Davy and I also discuss why it’s essential to take risks, have faith, and commit wholeheartedly to those projects that you know will be transformative.
“Think about what God can do if you just take that little risk.” - Davy Liu
“The power of the art of animation can transform children, families, and big children.” - Davy Liu
“The only wealth that I had was this vision that someday, the Bible can become a beautiful animated film that can reach the unchurched.” - Davy Liu
This Week on The Wow Factor:
What Davy learned about the power of storytelling from working at Disney
The positive experience of working with a team of creatives
The story behind Davy’s iconic cowboy hat
Why Davy moved on from Disney’s Lion King to work for the King of Kings
The humble beginning of Kendu Films and how Davy developed his vision
How Davy developed the concept of the “Invisible Tails” series, retelling Biblical stories from the perspective of animals
The process of translating Davy’s creative vision onto the screen
Film projects that Davy has in the pipeline, including The Giant Leaf, which involves working with some of the Disney greats
How funding is raised for animated films and why people are motivated to invest
Davy Liu’s Word of Wisdom:
Be a cowboy. We all have talent, so have Faith, don't follow the world, be a pioneer and take some risks. “You Kendu it!”
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