. >> reporter: he is alfredo ayala, a disney r&d executive and smoot's friend. >> lanny smoot is a renaissancesay to each other is, what's not to like? now, what does that mean? i might build something that's pretty cool, design something, and he'd come over and say, hmm, that's really cool, but there's something missing. >> and when we say that, and he'll say it to me, and i will say it to him. it's kind of like, you win. it's just what's not to like about it? >> reporter: their camaraderie seems to hold more weight than their successes, and to ayala, that's everything. >> he represents many people, people like me, and that means the world to me. >> i work in a company where creative artists are all over the place, and i can say, oh, look at this horrible-looking thing that i made that can do magic. what do you think about it, buddy? >> reporter: part of smoot's magic, advice for the next generation. >> get it out of your head, into the world. many people waste time in their lives by saying, oh, i could have done that or i should have done that. do it. >> being able to do things that other pe