Hall of Masters

Ed Catmull

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Co-founder of Pixar; author of Creativity, Inc.

14 records in all

  • Principles 1
  • Episodes 13
  • Quotes 0
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Episodes

3 basic records of 13

Episodes are real events from public sources, summarised by us.

  • Spinning off Pixar

    George Lucas needed to sell the Graphics Group due to financial pressure from a divorce and declining Star Wars revenue. Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith decided to spin it off as an independent corporation to keep their team of 40 people together.

    LessonWhen external ownership becomes unstable, taking the leap into independence can protect your core talent and mission.

  • Preserving Pixar's Independence

    To prevent Pixar from being swallowed by Disney's culture, Catmull and the team ensured Pixar remained a separate entity with its own HR policies and location. They even mandated that no employment contracts would be used, keeping their original culture intact.

    LessonWhen selling your business, negotiate specific conditions to protect the cultural elements that made you successful.

  • Leading the Computer Graphics Lab

    After earning his doctorate, Catmull was hired to lead the New York Institute of Technology's new Computer Graphics Lab. During this time, he invented 'Tween,' a software that automated the production of 2D animation frames.

    LessonAutomation tools are most valuable when they solve repetitive tasks in the creative process.

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Management and leadership

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