To Pixar and Beyond

“If I learned anything at Pixar, it is that story comes first. Pixar’s creative leader, John Lasseter, used to say, “Great graphics will keep us entertained for a couple of minutes; it is story that holds us in our seats.”

Key takeaway

Technology is cool and all, but a story is truly what will connect with humans

“It’s because people love these family films,” Steve said. “They don’t want to see them just once in the movie theater. They want to see them over and over again. They love those characters. And parents would rather their children watch Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast than a lot of garbage.”

Key takeaway

From a business perspective, family films actually make a ton of sense and can accrue a ton of benefits over time if people fall in love with the characters through the story

“This was all new to us. Disney and the other studios were spreading money across a slate of films, hoping that some would break out and become hits, to make up for the ones that didn’t.”

Key takeaway

Hollywood is just like a portfolio of stocks on Wall Street or a collection of startup investments in Silicon Valley

“It’s about the way the films are made,” Ed said. “In animation there is much more control. We iterate on the story over and over again, through storyboards, character modeling, animation tests, and other processes. If the story or character isn’t working, we can change it. Live action doesn’t offer that flexibility. Once the film has been shot, you’re locked into using the footage you have.”

Key takeaway

Animation is like the agile framework. Being nimble allows them to change direction more easily until they find story market fit

“In animation we still have the chance to iterate on a story even when we’re into production of a film. That’s a lot harder in live action when all the sets have been dismantled and the cast and crew have moved on.”

Key takeaway

Animation is just software which means you can iterate much easier

“Life for a public company was life in a fishbowl.”

Key takeaway

Every move is being watched

“Technology is a huge driver in entertainment,” Hal explained. “Companies that combine great story, technology breakthroughs, and seasoned management will lead the way into the future.”

Key takeaway

Technology has long been a major player for entertainment, the computer is no different than the TV or radio or print

“Steve once told me that the gestation of great products takes much longer than it appears. What seems to emerge from nowhere belies a long process of development, trials and missteps.”

Key takeaway

Everyone thinks of an overnight success but they miss the 10,000 hours of prep it took to get there

“Creative vision does not spring forth fully formed. It evolves, meanders, and all but stumbles its way to fruition.”

Key takeaway

Most masterpieces started as ugly babies and evolved over time

“Leverage means bargaining power. It is the muscle you have to bring about change in your favor. The more leverage, the better you chances to get what you want. In poker, leverage would be the equivalent of the actual strength of your hand.”

Key takeaway

Leverage is sitting on pocket rockets

“Iger came through immediately. He said that not only did he want to preserve Pixar’s way of doing things, he wanted the way of doing things to infect the culture of Disney Animation so that Disney would become more like Pixar. This was a vision we could all get behind.”

Key takeaway

Disney did not acquire Pixar, Pixar acquired Disney. Maybe Snapchat and Apple are similar?

“The Middle Way is a dance between order and freedom, bureaucracy and spirit, efficiency and artistry. Every film that Pixar made struggled with this tension and ended up better for it.”

Key takeaway

The Middle Way is what connects the Yin and the Yang. It is the diffusion S-curve. It is why tension wins out because it is a balance