Former name: Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull** with Amy Wallace
**Ed Catmull is the President of a company called Pixar Animation and Disney Animation.

Of course when I found out that this book was coming out, I pre-ordered it. The timing was fitting as it was released in the midst of my “Be Remarkable” campaign…and yes, I just finished it. While it’s management-heavy information, it gives you insight into Pixar Animation company culture. A culture that I personally aspire to work in one day. That place is still an enigma and sprinkled in magic, but Ed Catmull shares some of the company’s intricacies and how they came to be. Spoiler Alert: It’s not easy, and it requires an effort from both management AND employees. Notes Day? Very Interesting and unheard of. Even the way they structured the Pixar Campus- it’s very strategic and purposeful. Dull at times, because I’m not a manager, but insightful.

This is one of my favorite quotes, among others. I geeked out every time Pete Docter is mentioned.

If you’re sailing across the ocean and your goal is to avoid weather and waves, then why the hell are you sailing? You have to embrace that sailing means that you can’t control the elements and there will be good days and bad days and that, whatever comes, you will deal with it because your goal is to eventually get to the other side. You will not be able to control exactly how you get across. That’s the game you decided to be in. -Andrew Stanton

There are little golden nuggets like this that show you the kind of thinking that is floating around at Pixar. It’s very inspiring, and makes a lot of sense.

Extra Book Notes:

• “Art challenges technology, technology inspires art.”
• Humility. “Only when we admit what we don’t know can we ever hope to learn it.”
• When I read the Afterword, which is about Mr. Catmull’s history with Steve Jobs- I teared up.
• The emotional IQ this company, woof. Have you seen UP?
• Welcome all ideas.
• “Candor” is the buzzword of this book.
• To be in a room with John Lasseter for a pep talk… I bet John Lasseter is the Coach Taylor of animation.

Sidebar: Pixar just announced that Toy Story 4 is in the works and is set to be released in 2017. I also read that Rashida Jones is a part of the writing process, INTERESTING. I love her.