Roger Lee Brings Disney Magic to Life from Singapore to Hollywood
- Unique Wisdom
- May 21, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 26, 2025
Relocating to Los Angeles, Roger Lee faced the uncertainties of starting over. Instead of searching externally, he focused on inner values, building a life grounded in resilience, purpose, and creativity. Roger’s story reminds us that no matter where we are, it is our inner foundations that create lasting homes.
I’m currently residing in Los Angeles, California, where I work as a Lighting and Compositing Artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios. My role involves crafting the final visual look of Disney animated feature films, bringing characters and worlds to life through lighting and compositing.
Working at Disney has been an incredible journey, allowing me to contribute to some of the most beloved animated films while collaborating with talented artists from around the world.
I moved to the United States in 2012 after applying for a position at Disney while I was still in Singapore. When I was offered the job, I took the opportunity to relocate, which was a decision that was both exciting and life-changing.
It wasn’t an easy decision, as my wife, Winnie, and I had triplets (two boys and a girl) who were just a few months old at the time. By the time we left Singapore, our kids had just celebrated their first birthday.
Living abroad has significantly shaped my perspective on life, particularly in terms of understanding the realities of natural disasters. In Singapore, disasters like wildfires, earthquakes, or hurricanes were things I only ever saw on the news.
However, experiencing the recent wildfires in Los Angeles made me realize just how devastating they can be. The thought that an entire home—everything someone has worked for—could be wiped out overnight was a sobering reality. It deepened my appreciation for Singapore’s safety and stability, where such disasters are virtually nonexistent.
Despite being away from home, I stay connected to Singapore primarily through social media and messaging apps, keeping in touch with family and friends. These digital connections help bridge the distance, allowing me to stay updated on what’s happening back home and maintain my relationships despite the time difference.
While I am connected to local and Singaporean communities in Los Angeles through WhatsApp and Facebook groups, I’m not particularly active in them. However, these connections still serve as a valuable resource, whether for sharing updates, finding familiar cultural touchpoints, or simply knowing that there are fellow Singaporeans nearby.
Though I don’t participate frequently, being part of these groups provides a sense of familiarity and a connection to home, even while embracing life in the U.S.
Chasing a Dream and Creating Magic Through Animated Worlds
The pivotal moment that set me on this journey happened while I was working at Walt Disney Television in Singapore back in 2004. When I saw Chicken Little, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ first fully 3D-animated feature, I felt a spark of hope. For the first time, I saw a real possibility of working at the studio that had shaped my childhood dreams.
That moment ignited a deep desire to be part of the magic and contribute to the very films that had inspired me growing up.
Determined to make that dream a reality, I made the difficult decision to leave my job at Disney TV and take a role as a Lighting Technical Director at Lucasfilm when they first established their Singapore studio in 2005.
I saw this as a strategic move to build a strong portfolio and gain the experience necessary to apply for a position at Walt Disney Animation Studios in the U.S. It was a leap of faith, but one that I knew was essential for my growth.
Staying motivated along the way wasn’t always easy. The journey was filled with challenges, setbacks, and moments of doubt. However, I found inspiration by watching the incredible animated films coming out of world-class studios like Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky. Each film reignited my passion, reminding me of why I wanted to be in this industry and pushing me to keep improving my craft.
One of the most meaningful and fulfilling aspects of my career has been seeing the joy my work brings to my own children. Watching them delight in the movies I helped create makes all the hard work worthwhile.
A special perk of working at Disney is having free access to Disneyland, which means I get to take my kids there often. It’s a privilege to share these experiences with my family and friends, and I feel an immense sense of pride when I bring them to the studio where I help "create the magic" that children around the world enjoy in films like Frozen, Zootopia, Big Hero 6, and Moana.
Beyond my own family, one of the most touching experiences has been receiving messages and emails from friends and loved ones thanking me for the work I’ve done on films that have deeply impacted their children. Knowing that my work has become a cherished part of someone’s childhood memories is incredibly rewarding.
These moments of appreciation remind me why I continue in this field—to create beautiful, immersive worlds that bring joy and wonder to audiences everywhere. Every film is an opportunity to contribute to something greater than myself, and that thought keeps me inspired to push forward and create even more breathtaking visuals for future generations.
Taking Bold Leaps, Growing Through Change, and Creating with Purpose
Visionary Thinking:
When I made the decision to move to the U.S. in 2011, many people, including friends and family, advised against it. The country was in the midst of the subprime crisis, and the economic outlook was uncertain.
However, my wife and I have always believed in the saying, "When everyone is running away, that’s the time to run toward the danger." We chose to follow our hearts, leaving behind everything we had built in Singapore to start anew in a foreign land.
With fear and anticipation in our hearts, we took the leap not just for ourselves but to create a better future for our triplets. That decision was one of the biggest and boldest we had ever made, but we knew that great rewards often come from taking great risks.
Courage:
That same mindset of embracing uncertainty and pushing forward despite fear was instrumental in giving us the courage to start over in the U.S. It was not an easy decision, but we believed in our vision and our ability to make it work. The unknown was daunting, but we reminded ourselves that growth comes from stepping outside of our comfort zones.
Resilience:
Starting from ground zero in a foreign country with three 13-month-old babies and no family network for support was incredibly challenging. Every aspect of our lives had to be rebuilt from scratch—our careers, our home, our sense of stability. There were times of exhaustion and doubt, but we learned to take things one step at a time.
I firmly believe that there is always a solution if you look hard enough and stay hungry for success. Fear is a natural part of the process, but I’ve learned to embrace it, accept it, and then move forward. The key is to keep pushing ahead rather than allowing fear to paralyze you into staying in the same place.
Curiosity:
One of the most exciting aspects of my journey has been the opportunity to work on incredible projects. Every new film brings fresh challenges and learning experiences. I have also taken on leadership roles that have helped me grow, not just as an artist but as a mentor to others.
Over the years, I have discovered new techniques and workflows to improve my craft in lighting and compositing. Additionally, I have always sought opportunities to cross-train in other departments, learning new skills in modeling, look development, and set extensions. This continuous learning keeps my passion alive and ensures that I remain adaptable in an ever-evolving industry.
Optimism:
My greatest source of motivation has always been my wife and children. They are the reason I push myself to give 101% at work every single day. When I was still on a work visa, I knew that I had to stay on top of my game to remain employed and continue providing opportunities for my kids.
That drive kept me going through every challenge, reminding me why I chose this path in the first place.
Adaptability:
Adaptability has been a necessity throughout this journey. Without a family support system to fall back on, my wife and I have had to remain flexible and ready to handle any challenge that comes our way.
Parenting young children in a foreign country presents constant curveballs, from health concerns to schooling and childcare dilemmas. We’ve had to learn to think on our feet, adjust our plans as needed, and find creative solutions to keep everything running smoothly.
Joy:
One of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is seeing how much joy it brings to children, including my own kids, nieces, nephews, and the children of my friends. There’s nothing quite like watching their faces light up when they see a film I worked on.
Knowing that my work plays a part in shaping childhood memories for so many kids around the world makes all the effort worthwhile.
Collective Strength:
Throughout this journey, I have found great comfort and strength in the friendships I have built with fellow Singaporeans and Malaysians in Los Angeles. Sharing similar experiences—whether in parenting, work, or life in a new country—has created a strong sense of camaraderie. These connections have provided moral support during tough times and a sense of belonging in a place far from home.
The journey has been challenging, but the collective strength of a supportive community has made it all the more meaningful.
Embracing the Journey with Purpose, Persistence, and Gratitude
Advice for Those Just Starting Their Journey:
For anyone embarking on their own "rainbow ride," my biggest piece of advice is to be hungry for success. If you want something badly enough, you will find a way to achieve it.
The path to your goal may not always be a straight line—there will be detours, setbacks, and moments of doubt—but if you stay focused and determined, you will eventually get there.
Success is often less about talent and more about perseverance, adaptability, and the willingness to keep moving forward despite challenges.
Encouragement for Those Facing Challenges:
To those who are already on their journey but encountering obstacles, remember that every challenge is temporary. There will be times when you feel exhausted, uncertain, or even defeated, but these moments do not define your journey.
When I faced my toughest challenges—moving to a foreign country with my wife and three babies, building everything from scratch, and navigating an industry where competition is fierce—I reminded myself that there is always a solution if you are willing to search for it. Embrace fear, acknowledge it, but do not let it paralyze you.
Keep pushing forward, one step at a time.
The Most Important Lesson Learned:
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that while hard work and perseverance are crucial, knowing when to let go is just as important. My wife and I have always trusted that if we put in our best effort and still couldn’t achieve something, then perhaps it was not part of God’s plan for us.
There is a balance between relentless determination and acceptance—sometimes, what seems like a failure is simply a redirection toward something better.
The key is to give your all but also have the wisdom to recognize when it’s time to move on and embrace a different path.
Staying True to Yourself and Your Vision:
Amidst the ups and downs of the journey, staying true to yourself requires clarity of purpose and unwavering belief in what you stand for. I have always kept my family and my passion for storytelling at the heart of what I do.
No matter how tough things got, I never lost sight of why I embarked on this path—to create beautiful, meaningful films that bring joy to audiences around the world, including my own children.
Staying true to your vision means being adaptable without losing your core values, and it means measuring success not just by achievements but by the impact you make on others.
Inspiring the Next Generation:
If I could pass on a message to the next generation, it would be this: Dream big, work hard, and don’t be afraid to take risks.
Success is rarely instantaneous, and the journey will test you in ways you never imagined. But if you stay passionate, open to learning, and persistent in the face of setbacks, you will achieve things beyond what you thought possible.
And along the way, don’t forget to lift others up—true success is not just about reaching your own destination but about inspiring and helping others on their journeys as well.
Gratitude and How It Has Shaped My Journey:
Looking back, I am most grateful for my wife, my children (who will be 14 years old in a couple of months and are starting high school this year), and the unwavering support we have given each other through every challenge. Without them, my journey would not have been the same.
I am also deeply grateful for the opportunities I have had to work at world-class studios, collaborate with talented artists, and create films that have touched people’s lives. Gratitude has shaped my ride by keeping me grounded and reminding me to appreciate both the highs and the lows.
Every challenge I faced made me stronger, and every success was sweeter because of the struggles that preceded it.
My Personal Mantra:
One of the guiding beliefs that has carried me through my journey is this: "If you want something badly enough, you will find a way to achieve it." This mindset has driven me to push forward despite obstacles, to stay resilient in the face of uncertainty, and to trust that with enough dedication, I will eventually reach my goals.
At the same time, I also believe in surrendering the things beyond my control to a higher power. My wife and I have always trusted that if something was not meant for us, it was because something better was waiting.
Knowing when to fight and when to let go has been one of the most important lessons of my journey.
In the end, the "rainbow ride" is not just about reaching a destination; it is about embracing the entire experience, learning from every challenge, and finding fulfillment in the process.
Stay Connected
You can view my work at https://vimeo.com/rogerleeart, follow me on Instagram at @rogerlee.art. or connect with me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerleeart/.