Ed Catmull

Join Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and Disney Animation, alongside Pete Docter, the creative genius behind iconic films, as they delve into the secrets of Pixar's success. They discuss the pivotal role of team culture in fostering creativity and collaboration. Learn about the importance of storytelling, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and the creative processes that shaped beloved characters. Their insights on mentorship and evolving vision highlight how adaptability fuels genius in the ever-changing animation landscape.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and former president of Walt Disney Animation Studios, is a pioneer in creativity and innovation. In this conversation, he shares the key principles that forged Pixar’s unique culture, emphasizing collaboration, the power of failure, and continuous learning. Ed reflects on his journey in animation, revealing insights from his relationships with industry legends like George Lucas and Steve Jobs. He discusses how effective leadership and a supportive environment can cultivate creativity, paving the way for timeless stories like Toy Story and Finding Nemo.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and president of Walt Disney Animation Studios, shares his insights on creativity and leadership. He emphasizes that there’s no perfect process for achieving goals; rules need constant re-evaluation to foster innovation. Ed reveals the impact of Steve Jobs’ evolving leadership style on company culture and discusses the transition from short films to Pixar's full-length features, highlighting the importance of collaboration and open communication in driving creative success.

In a captivating conversation, Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and author of 'Creativity, Inc.,' shares his journey in revolutionizing animation and his long collaboration with Steve Jobs. He discusses the art of nurturing creativity within teams through honest communication and constructive feedback. Ed emphasizes the importance of a collaborative leadership style that fosters innovation while avoiding burnout. Listeners will also gain insights into the dynamics of creative discussions and how to maintain productivity without sacrificing well-being.

Ed Catmull is co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios (along with Steve Jobs and John Lasseter) and president of Pixar Animation and Disney Animation. Ed has received five Academy Awards, and -- as a computer scientist -- he has contributed to many important developments in computer graphics. He is the author of Creativity, Inc., which Forbes has said "just might be the best business book ever written." (!)This episode touches on a lot, including lessons learned from George Lucas and Steve Jobs, the origins of Pixar, personal challenges, routines, favorite books, and much more. Enjoy!***If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in helping to convince hard-to-get guests. I also love reading the reviews!For show notes and past guests, please visit tim.blog/podcast.Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (“5-Bullet Friday”) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Visit tim.blog/sponsor and fill out the form.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss YouTube: youtube.com/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, and Pete Docter, its Chief Creative Officer, share insights from their legendary careers. They delve into how Pixar cultivates creativity through collaboration and storytelling. The duo discusses the importance of feedback and adaptability in creative teams. They also explore the transformative power of dissent in refining ideas. With anecdotes from their time working alongside Steve Jobs, they reveal how both success and failure shape innovative storytelling, making magic happen on and off the screen.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and author of "Creativity, Inc.", shares his journey from a technical expert to a cultural leader in animation. He discusses the importance of fostering creativity and collaborative environments, emphasizing that failure can be a stepping stone to innovation. Ed highlights the pivotal role of humility in creative success and reflects on the impact of AI in animation, reminding us of the need to uphold human values. From mentoring to building team dynamics, his insights are invaluable for anyone in the creative industry.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar and pioneer of computer graphics and digital animation techniques, discusses his transition from creating things himself to leading creative teams. He shares insights on fostering a creative culture, giving and receiving feedback, the impact of new technologies on the creative process, and the intersection of technology, film, and visual arts. He also reveals stories about his collaboration with Steve Jobs.

Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios and author of 'Creativity, Inc.,' shares invaluable insights on storytelling and creativity. He discusses Pixar's groundbreaking techniques for tapping into human emotions, emphasizing character development as key to audience connection. Catmull reveals how Pixar expertly balances humor, emotion, and suspense in narratives. Additionally, he reflects on the collaborative magic behind classics like 'Toy Story' and 'Coco,' showcasing the importance of authenticity and cultural research in impactful storytelling.

In this podcast, Ed Catmull, the author of 'Creativity, Inc.,' shares insights on fostering innovation at Pixar and Disney animation studios. Topics include balancing creativity and profitability in leadership, understanding confirmation bias, empowering teams for innovation, and embracing flexibility for creative success.