John Lasseter: The Journey to Success By: Jessica West

Research Introduction What I researched How to be a successful animator What needs to be done to get in Look at what others have done to get where they are today

The Industry Large industry Difficult to get in after school Why? Competition Talent

How To Get In Two main ways into industry Apprenticeships Degree Courses What about Internships? Not the same as Apprenticeship Will not get foot in door Not guaranteed

Professionals and Industry Entrance Each animator has own story May not have use either ways to get in Successful Animators Walt Disney Steve Jobs Brad Bird

John Lasseter and Pixar Focused on this animator Inspiration to me Got me into animation Lots of talent One of the most successful animators of my time

Who is john Lasseter Computer Animator, director and creator Toy Story 1-3, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life Appreciator of movie-themed Hawaiian shirts Born in Hollywood, California Creative and Successful CEO Pixar Animation Studios Walt Disney Animation Studios

His Beginnings Disney’s “Sword in the Stone” (1963) Won first award at age 5 Model Grocery Market, Whittier, CA Headless Horseman Drawing Studied at CalArts ( California Institute of the Arts) Second student to be accepted Character Animation Program Made Two animated shorts there “The Lady and the Lamp” “Nitemare” Both won Student Academy Award

After Graduation Got job at Walt Disney Feature Animation with other graduates “Fox and the Hound” Didn’t stay long didn’t like the suggestions Made enemies because of them Strongly influenced by “Tron” movie Adding dimension to animation “The Brave Little toaster” Got him fired

After Graduation 1984, hired full time at Lucasfilm Interface designer SIGGRAPH “The Adventures of Andre & Wally B.” premiered Groundbreaking technology 1986, Steve Jobs buys computer division at Lucasfilm Also created the “independent Pixar”

Birth of Pixar Lasseter becomes Pixar’s first animator in 1987 Directs first short “Luxo Jr.” Nominated for an Academy Award Became logo Couldn’t compete with computer programmers Works alongside them Lasseter won Academy Award 2 years later “Tin Toy” Best animated short First time computer animated film won Oscar Birth of “Toy Story” Started it all

Birth of Pixar “Toy Story” First feature-length film Was a challenge at the time Brought out ideas that they never thought of Computer animation industry not established yet Impossible Highest grossing film in 1995 Won him Special Achievement Academy Award Created and directed “A Bug’s Life”, “Toy Story 2”, and “Cars 1-2” Executive producing all films since then

Reconnected 2006 Disney bought Pixar Named Lasseter CEO of both Studios Also named principle creative adviser Walt Disney Imagineering Helps design attractions for parks Helped create “Princess and the Frog” and “Wreck-It Ralph” Most new Disney movies include his name Helped create Cars Land in Disneyland Has many more films in store

Conclusions Lasseter studied at a famous school CalArts has connections Got job Immediately Got foot in before industry existed Earned many awards for work Went up promotion ladder quickly Made lots of successful films

What I Learned Lots of talent and passion involved Creativity is important Don’t let people stop you or hold you back Don’t give up Give 110% effort Lasseter got foot in door early No industry=no competition Not the same situation today

What I Can Do Now Put in 110% effort into each assignment Treat each assignment as if real thing Make connections Go to animation festivals Have business cards Learn as much as possible Consider grad school Practice, practice, practice!!

Sources http://www.businessinsider.com/how-john-lasseter-built-pixar-from-early-days-to- now-2016-6/#john-lasseter-was-born-in-hollywood-california-on-january-12-1957- at-the-age-of-five-he-won-his-very-first-award--15-from-the-model-grocery- market-in-whittier-california-for-a-crayon-drawing-of-the-headless-horseman-1 By: Meryl Gottlieb http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/animation/ways_into_the_industry By: Creative Skillset https://www.rrfedu.com/the-rrf-difference/apprentice-based-learning/ By: Recording Radio Film Connection and Casa Schools https://venturebeat.com/2013/07/23/how-the-great-animation-film-directors- got-their-start/ By: Dean Takahashi https://www.animationcareerreview.com/articles/top-100-most-influential- people-animation?page=8 By: Robin Wilding