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wintrovia's review
4.0
This book is a kind of hybrid of a biography and a how-to book, it swings between telling the story of Pixar Animation and giving advice on the subject of creativity. It does both jobs fairly well and despite the strange mix, it’s an entertaining book.
It’s written by Ed Catmull, one of the three founders of Pixar alongside Steve Jobs and John Lasseter. If I’m honest, I’d never heard of him before but the other two founders are very familiar names to me, so I thought it would be interesting to read a book by someone that was so close to two very interesting people.
The inside story of how Pixar survived a bumpy early period and went on to make some of the best animated films ever made is ones the most interesting things about this book. I particularly liked hearing about the various internal struggles they went through with several of their films.
There’s a refreshing honesty about their failures too, and an insistence that failure is incredibly valuable to the creative process. These bits were probably the most useful in terms of things you can take out of the book and bring in to your own life.
The outright tips on how to be more creative yourself felt a bit forced and didn’t really give much more than bland tips that most people will have heard before. So the parts where it was deliberately trying to offer advice felt a bit full and I wanted to get back to hearing about the inner-workings of Pixar and the people working there.
This isn’t a book that will change your life but it’s a thorough investigation of what makes Pixar such a creative working environment. It’s certainly more entertaining than the average business book and there’s some genuinely useful information about how to be more creative yourself.
It’s written by Ed Catmull, one of the three founders of Pixar alongside Steve Jobs and John Lasseter. If I’m honest, I’d never heard of him before but the other two founders are very familiar names to me, so I thought it would be interesting to read a book by someone that was so close to two very interesting people.
The inside story of how Pixar survived a bumpy early period and went on to make some of the best animated films ever made is ones the most interesting things about this book. I particularly liked hearing about the various internal struggles they went through with several of their films.
There’s a refreshing honesty about their failures too, and an insistence that failure is incredibly valuable to the creative process. These bits were probably the most useful in terms of things you can take out of the book and bring in to your own life.
The outright tips on how to be more creative yourself felt a bit forced and didn’t really give much more than bland tips that most people will have heard before. So the parts where it was deliberately trying to offer advice felt a bit full and I wanted to get back to hearing about the inner-workings of Pixar and the people working there.
This isn’t a book that will change your life but it’s a thorough investigation of what makes Pixar such a creative working environment. It’s certainly more entertaining than the average business book and there’s some genuinely useful information about how to be more creative yourself.
spencervail's review
4.0
Pretty good read overall. It's a good all around book for anyone in the business or creativity space as its delves into both. Many good insights on management practices, overcoming obstacles and combatting bias.
Lots of really interesting stories about different Pixar movies and some of the hiccups making them. I have a new found appreciation for animaitors.
The book also veers into being a bit of a light Steve Jobs biography. Some really interesting insights there as well.
Lots of really interesting stories about different Pixar movies and some of the hiccups making them. I have a new found appreciation for animaitors.
The book also veers into being a bit of a light Steve Jobs biography. Some really interesting insights there as well.
agusrodriguez's review
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
marieintheraw's review
4.0
This was a fun nonfiction read that really gets into the creativity of it all.
dalefu's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent mix of personal biography, business history, and management advice. I found my management ideals and principles very much in line with the author's, and it was fascinating seeing how they can play out in such a major company. It also helped prepare me for some of the potential pitfalls I will no doubt face sooner or later.
The heaps of praise on John Lasseter for his ability to inspire those around him, and his personal connections with his team take on a bit more of a sinister tone now that so many allegations have become public, but it also shows that someone being a "nice guy" to most people doesn't mean he can't be a terrible person to others.
I found the similarities between creating a fully CG movie and creating a video game interesting, if not surprising. Overall, a great read, and quite relevant to my role and industry.
The heaps of praise on John Lasseter for his ability to inspire those around him, and his personal connections with his team take on a bit more of a sinister tone now that so many allegations have become public, but it also shows that someone being a "nice guy" to most people doesn't mean he can't be a terrible person to others.
I found the similarities between creating a fully CG movie and creating a video game interesting, if not surprising. Overall, a great read, and quite relevant to my role and industry.
jessicavampires's review
4.0
My main take aways from this book were that a positive and productive work environment should enable people to feel comfortable: sharing their ideas, taking on responsibility, making mistakes rather than being stifled by the fear of preventing them, expressing individuality, and accepting change and new methods of working rather than clinging to stability and known processes.
Whilst Ed takes the reader on a tour of Pixar and Disney's animation studios and brings to life their creative processes, he gives the reader many examples of how practical changes, such as altering the layout of an office building, can drastically improve employee satisfaction and productivity - creating a dynamic book which blends wisdom on creativity and management.
Whilst Ed takes the reader on a tour of Pixar and Disney's animation studios and brings to life their creative processes, he gives the reader many examples of how practical changes, such as altering the layout of an office building, can drastically improve employee satisfaction and productivity - creating a dynamic book which blends wisdom on creativity and management.