ANIMATED SHORTS: TALKING TO JOHN LASSETER

[MattBrady]

A TALK WITH JOHN LASSETER
WHAT THE MAN IN DISNEY’S CHAIR HAS TO SAY

by Steve Fritz

In the last column I hinted that I was flying out to California and coming back with some major surprises. Well, I’m back. A tad jetlagged, thanking the creator for Airborne and packing enough tape to wrap an ox or two in.

What was I doing? Visiting Disney, Pixar and ILM. Over the next few columns you’re going to see the fruits of this labor. There’s probably no better way to start this whole shebang off is with John Lasseter.

To call Lasseter now one of the most powerful men in animation is being redundant. In his 20+ year career he’s gone from an extremely talented and innovative Cal Arts student to the man now occupying the seat that once held legends like Michael Eisner (who say what you want, did have a hand in the animation renaissance) and no less than Walt Disney himself. What’s amazing to realize when you do meet the man is even though he did a lot to pioneer the whole computer generated animation field, at his heart he’s also a strong traditionalist. He doesn’t care what the animation technique employed is, as long as it tells a good story and has memorable characters. As you read this transcript, he does talk a bit like a Hollywood exec, but each and every animator I also talked to on this trip, you’ll soon realize I talked to a lot of them, all profess their love for the man and truly appreciate his guidance.

I admit my interview with him was much shorter than I would have wanted, but he did have about 50 other people he had to talk to on this junket. To have the time I did have was something, and the handlers got back to me to say that there is a possibility of there being a lot more in the future. So, OK, I didn’t get to ask him about the latest work of Hayao Miyazaki, but who knows what the future will bring.

In the meantime, here is what Lasseter had to say about the upcoming Pixar Short Films collection and Ratatouille, both coming out on DVD. Enjoy. I sure did…and I hope you do too.

Click here for the full interview.

[Ace]

Have they said if John Carter of Mars is going to be animated or live action or what?

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

It seemed like Ratatouille didnt do nearly as well as Cars did. Mabey Im just imagining that.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Uchiha_Prodigy

It seemed like Ratatouille didnt do nearly as well as Cars did. Mabey Im just imagining that.

Ratatouille didn't do as well domestically, but made it up worldwide to top Cars in total, ww box office gross, 553 million to 461 million, so yeah, at over half a billion, it did okay.

MattB

[Uchiha_Prodigy]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Ratatouille didn't do as well domestically, but made it up worldwide to top Cars in total, ww box office gross, 553 million to 461 million, so yeah, at over half a billion, it did okay.

MattB

I was actually referring to the lack of merchandise and overall hype for the movie. Then again, I doubt kids want toy rats anyway..

[Morocco_Mole]

There are a few rat toys out there...

Pixar is the only production company that, when I hear they've got a new movie, I automatically want to see. Stuff like "from the producers of Shrek" doesn't do it for me, but I get excited about Pixar.

It's not just the animation, either. I really enjoy the movies they put out.

[Simon DelMonte]

That one line about animation is not Writers Guild should be explored. While it's good to know that we will still have cartoons during the writers strike, I think it's a slap in the face to all the very skilled animation writers from Dini to Tartakofsky to McDuffie to Weisman to Bird to not include them in the same union.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

That one line about animation is not Writers Guild should be explored. While it's good to know that we will still have cartoons during the writers strike, I think it's a slap in the face to all the very skilled animation writers from Dini to Tartakofsky to McDuffie to Weisman to Bird to not include them in the same union.

it's been that way (and someone who knows more can jump in) for years/decades. IIRC, animation writers don't get residuals, due to the archaic system they work under.

MattB

[Mellow Doubt]

Originally Posted by Morocco_Mole

There are a few rat toys out there...

Pixar is the only production company that, when I hear they've got a new movie, I automatically want to see. Stuff like "from the producers of Shrek" doesn't do it for me, but I get excited about Pixar.

It's not just the animation, either. I really enjoy the movies they put out.

My thoughts exactly. Pixar have never let me down, not even with Cars. Compared to Pixar, Dreamworks' CGI flicks are little more than a collection of lame pop culture jokes voiced by celebrity actors.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Mellow Doubt

Dreamworks' CGI flicks are little more than a collection of lame pop culture jokes voiced by celebrity actors.

that's where I am with 'em too - the original Shrek, for example, will always remind me of 2001. Not because that's when I saw it, but because it's stuffed to the gills with pop culture references that were from that specific time. The Pixar stuff - like Lasseter said, his wife tells him to make them so they can be watched 100 times.

MattB

[Eric Haar]

I think Cars is underrated. I think that it has more heart than people give it credit for. Maybe it's because I am an automobile enthusiast, but I think it makes a real statement about the "America" we've lost.

Cars is my son's favorite movie, so I've watched it a dozen or more times and really enjoy it. It may not be up up to The Incredibles or Finding Nemo level, but for me it can hang with A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc.

I read somewhere that Cars has been the most successful merchandising property of any Pixar film to date. It's no surprise. It's practically built in.

I'm glad to hear that the team at Disney are excited to work in 2D again. I love the Pixar films, but there's something, to me at least, that hand drawn animation has that CG still lacks. I just prefer the way those characters emote.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

it's been that way (and someone who knows more can jump in) for years/decades. IIRC, animation writers don't get residuals, due to the archaic system they work under.

MattB

Actually, the most interesting twist to the upcoming strike is the WGA has put out an edict attempting to forbid its members from writing scripts for animation.

I've been exploring the issue, but am coming against the Hollywood equivalent of a blue wall. All I can think about is the following, which I saw on CNN last night.

The first shows to be affected (effected?) will be shows like Leno, Letterman, Colbert and The Daily Show, where they employ about 15 or so writers each and demand a daily does of new material.

From there, it will roll down the lines with televised dramas and comedies being the last effected because of shooting schedules.

Where does this put animation? Kind of in limbo thanks to the edict. I get the feeling we will be seeing a lot of new names appearing on scripts, all pen names, personally. -s

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by Eric Haar

I think Cars is underrated. I think that it has more heart than people give it credit for. Maybe it's because I am an automobile enthusiast, but I think it makes a real statement about the "America" we've lost.

Cars is my son's favorite movie, so I've watched it a dozen or more times and really enjoy it. It may not be up up to The Incredibles or Finding Nemo level, but for me it can hang with A Bug's Life and Monsters, Inc.

I read somewhere that Cars has been the most successful merchandising property of any Pixar film to date. It's no surprise. It's practically built in.

I'm glad to hear that the team at Disney are excited to work in 2D again. I love the Pixar films, but there's something, to me at least, that hand drawn animation has that CG still lacks. I just prefer the way those characters emote.

For the record, having seen Your Friend the Rat, all I can add is it's one of the funniest darn shorts Pixar has done since Jack Jack Attack. Lots of inside jokes, a truly fun cameo by John Ratzenburger and just some incredible storytelling both in CGI and trad. -s

[JLAJRC]

Ratatouille was a fantastic film. I think it may even have been my favorite summer movie.

[beta-ray]

Great interview Mr. Fritz. I am envious as I tend to be a "behind the scenes" kind of guy... meaning I'd much rather meet the guys who do effects and the writing than the stars in the movie. Lasseter is certainly a great.

I liked Cars... maybe not as much as some of the other PIXAR shows, but it was fun and entertaining. The animation was phenomenal too. At first I was not that impressed by Ratatouille's animation, but I realized that it was the subtleness of many of the scenes that really made it beautiful.

Looking forward to seeing their 2-D efforts and upcoming movies. Is Up the mythological (monster fighter) movie?

It's nice that he gave a plug for his former boss with the mention of the iPod & iPhone.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by beta-ray

Great interview Mr. Fritz. I am envious as I tend to be a "behind the scenes" kind of guy... meaning I'd much rather meet the guys who do effects and the writing than the stars in the movie. Lasseter is certainly a great.

I liked Cars... maybe not as much as some of the other PIXAR shows, but it was fun and entertaining. The animation was phenomenal too. At first I was not that impressed by Ratatouille's animation, but I realized that it was the subtleness of many of the scenes that really made it beautiful.

Looking forward to seeing their 2-D efforts and upcoming movies. Is Up the mythological (monster fighter) movie?

It's nice that he gave a plug for his former boss with the mention of the iPod & iPhone.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Just an afterthought, but doesn't Jobs sit on the board of Disney these days, thus making him still Lasseter's boss?

Not sure about Up. Even the IMDB is keeping the basic plot under wraps. -s

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by Ace

Have they said if John Carter of Mars is going to be animated or live action or what?

The question was asked a few times by a number of people and no one got an answer. My guess is we'll know more after the writers strike, personally. -s

[Zam]

Congratulations Pixar, you´re soooo original....

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by Zam

Congratulations Pixar, you´re soooo original....

So I guess #5 is still alive. Hope he took some acting lessons over the last 20 years.
-s

[Nobody]

Good interview, but I was a little put-off by the Blu-Ray ad.

[edyhdrawde]

Originally Posted by Uchiha_Prodigy

Then again, I doubt kids want toy rats anyway..

Actually there have been reports from Pet Stores that the selling of rats for pets has increased due to the movie.

[jza1218]

Originally Posted by Uchiha_Prodigy

I was actually referring to the lack of merchandise and overall hype for the movie. Then again, I doubt kids want toy rats anyway..

Cars didnt see an upswing of merchandising for a while after the film's release.

I think that they're poised to make $2 billion in merchandising off of Cars this year

[jza1218]

Originally Posted by sfritz

Thanks. Much appreciated.

Just an afterthought, but doesn't Jobs sit on the board of Disney these days, thus making him still Lasseter's boss?

Not sure about Up. Even the IMDB is keeping the basic plot under wraps. -s

Great article Fritz and yes, Jobs is on the Disney board.

I just wish you'd ask him the reasoning behind having John Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers) in every Pixar film to date. I'm really curious as to the why's in that. Do they think he brings them luck or something? Is he a good friend?

[GohanWinner]

I love the majority of the Pixar shorts, especially the one that came with A Bug's Life. I'll probably get this soon. I still need to see Ratatouillie, I'm horrified that I haven't.

[sfritz]

Originally Posted by jza1218

Great article Fritz and yes, Jobs is on the Disney board.

I just wish you'd ask him the reasoning behind having John Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers) in every Pixar film to date. I'm really curious as to the why's in that. Do they think he brings them luck or something? Is he a good friend?

JR is the official "good luck charm" of the Pixar crew, so he's pretty much got a job for life with them. I met him and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

-s