137. Pixar’s Ed Catmull: Throw out your rules | Master of Scale

Intro

In this episode of the “Master of Scale” podcast, Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar, shares insights into the transformation of Steve Jobs and the importance of constantly tweaking and reinventing work methods. Catmull’s journey from computer graphics pioneer to leading Pixar and revitalizing Walt Disney Animation Studios is also explored. The episode highlights the significance of creating a creative environment, embracing a mindset of constant iteration, and the collaborative approach to leadership.

Main Takeaways

Steve Jobs’ Transformation

• Steve Jobs underwent a personal transformation, evolving from a demanding, abrasive person to someone more empathetic and humorous.
• Despite his personal changes, Jobs’ reputation as an intense, humorless taskmaster persisted.
• The 1999 TV movie “Pirates of Silicon Valley” negatively influenced public perception of Jobs.
• At MacWorld 99, Jobs displayed a lighter sense of humor, revealing his personal transformation to the audience.
• Jobs’ personal growth and learning had a significant impact on how he worked and led, resulting in transformative products such as the MacBook, iPod, iTunes, and iPhone.

Creating a Creative Environment

• Ed Catmull, inspired by Walt Disney’s TV show and the scientific curiosity of Einstein, pursued a career in computer graphics.
• Catmull rejected existing animation software and created his own to animate a computerized model of his hand.
• Building a creative environment wherever he went, Catmull became the director of the computer graphics lab at New York Tech.
• Collaboration, openness, and engagement with the community were emphasized in attracting the best people and fostering creativity.
• The collaborative approach to leadership and embracing being half-right and half-wrong fostered a focus on learning and iteration.

Pixar’s Journey

• Pixar’s partnership with Disney, initially supplying software, led to the creation of a feature film after the success of their short films.
• The team at Pixar had to figure out how to make a computer-animated film, leading to transformative learning experiences.
• The creative crisis during the development of Toy Story taught the team the importance of constant revision and maintaining their original vision.
• Steve Jobs predicted that a successful IPO for Pixar would change its relationship with Disney, leading to renegotiation.
• Pixar’s IPO was a big success, and the acquisition by Disney further solidified the merging of the two companies.

The Brain Trust and Scaling Creativity

• The brain trust, a group focused on problem-solving and providing creative excellence, evolved into a method for solving problems.
• Principles such as being composed of filmmakers, removing power from the room, and recognizing vulnerability were established within the brain trust.
• Scaling the creative process involved identifying and resolving bottlenecks and changing processes that have outlived their usefulness.
• A supportive culture where everyone owns the problem leads to proactive problem identification and fearlessness in giving input on decisions.
• Pixar’s culture of constant refinement spread across all Disney’s filmmakers, creating a healthy ecosystem and clear bottlenecks.

Summary

Steve Jobs’ Transformation

Steve Jobs underwent a significant personal transformation, transitioning from a demanding and abrasive individual to someone more empathetic and humorous. Despite this change, Jobs’ reputation as an intense and humorless taskmaster persisted, partly influenced by the 1999 TV movie “Pirates of Silicon Valley.” However, at MacWorld 99, Jobs displayed a lighter sense of humor, revealing his personal growth to the audience. This transformation had a profound impact on how Jobs worked and led, resulting in the creation of transformative products such as the MacBook, iPod, iTunes, and iPhone.

Creating a Creative Environment

Ed Catmull’s journey reflects the importance of creating a creative environment. Inspired by Walt Disney’s TV show and the scientific curiosity of Einstein, Catmull pursued a career in computer graphics. He rejected existing animation software and created his own, emphasizing the importance of building a creative environment wherever he went. Collaboration, openness, and engagement with the community were key in attracting the best people and fostering creativity. Embracing a collaborative approach to leadership and being open to being half-right and half-wrong fostered a focus on learning and iteration.

Pixar’s Journey

Pixar’s journey involved overcoming challenges and constant iteration. Initially partnering with Disney to supply software, Pixar’s success with short films led to the decision to create a feature film. Despite lacking experience in making a computer-animated film, the team at Pixar had to figure it out, leading to transformative learning experiences. The creative crisis during the development of Toy Story taught the importance of constant revision and maintaining the original vision. Steve Jobs predicted that a successful IPO for Pixar would change its relationship with Disney, leading to renegotiation. The IPO’s success and subsequent acquisition by Disney further solidified the merging of the two companies.

The Brain Trust and Scaling Creativity

The brain trust, a group focused on problem-solving and providing creative excellence, played a crucial role in Pixar’s success. The brain trust evolved from an identifiable group into a method for solving problems, involving candid and objective criticism with directors and their teams. Principles such as being composed of filmmakers, removing power from the room, and recognizing vulnerability were established within the brain trust. Scaling the creative process involved identifying and resolving bottlenecks and changing processes that have outlived their usefulness. Creating a supportive culture where everyone owns the problem leads to proactive problem identification and fearlessness in giving input on decisions. Pixar’s culture of constant refinement spread across all Disney’s filmmakers, creating a healthy ecosystem and clear bottlenecks.

Conclusion

The episode highlights the transformative journey of Steve Jobs and the importance of constantly tweaking and reinventing work methods. It also emphasizes the significance of creating a creative environment, embracing a mindset of constant iteration, and adopting a collaborative approach to leadership. Pixar’s journey showcases the power of overcoming challenges, constant revision, and maintaining a clear vision. The brain trust and the culture of constant refinement at Pixar and Disney demonstrate the vital role of fostering creativity and problem-solving. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the world of animation, creativity, and leadership.