People I (Mostly) Admire 21. Pete Docter: “What If Monsters Really Do Exist?”
Mar 27, 2021
Pete Docter, the Academy Award-winning director of beloved Pixar films like Monsters, Inc. and Soul, shares insights into Pixar's humble beginnings and the collaboration with Disney that birthed Toy Story. He discusses the intricacies of animated storytelling, revealing how personal experiences shape narratives and the emotional dynamics that connect with audiences. The conversation also touches on the challenges of parenting, balancing creativity with academic success, and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones to embrace new experiences.
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Pixar's Early Days
- Pete Docter joined Pixar at 21, when it was a small computer company struggling as a film studio.
- Two months in, Steve Jobs fired half the company, highlighting Pixar's instability.
Lunch with Steve Jobs
- Pete Docter had lunches with Steve Jobs, discussing life, business, and film. Jobs admired Pixar's storytelling, but also offered blunt critiques, even during Docter's vacation.
Disney Partnership
- Disney partnered with Pixar, offering a movie deal before a story existed. This reversed the usual process of pitching a script.