Animation Mojo

I just watched the Documentary by Leslie Iwerks - The Pixar Story - on Starz Kids and Family. I had no idea it was on and was just flipping channels - to my surprise, there it was. Wowsie Wow - good on ya - Ms. Iwerks!

I found myself energized watching this film
and excited to be an animator again.

Working as an animator (outside of Pixar), sometimes we can loose sight of how creative and fun it can be. The stories and films made in Hollywood are not always the best. Many times, the suits in charge loose sight of why they are being made. No one seems to be ready to stick their neck out for an original idea. Everyone seems to be out for the quick buck rather than investing for a long term goal. Generating profit - NOT creativity...seems to be the primary goal in Hollywood. Animated films should be created to entertain first!!! and tell a great story. Do this well...and the money will come.

If Steve Jobs hadn't been willing to invest his money and lose money for years on his investment in this new technology of computer animation and graphics, who knows if Pixar would have even made it? Success in any industry demands people willing to take risks and people who possess a fearless pursuit of new ideas to create something new.

One of the most important points made in the film was when Brad Bird gave his first talk to the people at Pixar. It was his point of view coming from the outside world, outside the vacuum of Pixar's success. The gist of what he tells them is this...

What you guys are doing here (at Pixar) is an anomaly. Most studios are not swimming in a creative jug of spontaneous creativity and making hit after hit. So value this.

Then he said one of the best things ever that sums up working in film making.

"Film is forever...pain is temporary."

Innovation, optimism, and original creativity in corporate American feels like it has died in many ways - but at Pixar it is alive and well. Money seems to skew any idea, especially when large amounts are involved, but Pixar is handling that balance.

The historical value of this film is as important as the story itself. Jamie and I worked tirlessly to cover much of the history of animation both 2D and CG in our book - Thinking Animation explaining how we got here as and industry and where we are going. Iwerks echoes most of what we wrote and offers even more insight through her interviews with the very people making that history.

I encourage any animator to watch this
film as soon as they get a chance.

The Pixar Story