Ed Catmull, president of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation studios, spoke at D10 last week. He discussed animation’s history, its current state, and what is yet to come.
Catmull notes that as technology advances, animators should use the technology to enhance stories, not to be the story. He says that “much of the technological push is to allow for new types of imagery to come into the screen to stimulate the creative process.”
“I think there should always be a next level,” said Catmull in response to a question suggesting that perhaps animation will reach a point where it cannot advance further.
Regarding future plans for Pixar and Disney, Catmull noted that “we never predicted the future, we just had our framework and our set of problems.” He says that where innovation begins is usually not where it ends up, and that his teams of innovators are working to make the next great look in animation, but he does not know where or what that will be.
Catmull admits that one of the most difficult challenges in recent years is that “the business model for filmmaking is changing.” While animation has not struggled as much as live action films due to its broad scope of viewership, Catmull says it is still a problem that haunts decisions due to constrained costs.
Check out a video of the full interview from the D10 stage on AllThingsD: “Catmull shares other words of wisdom on the art of melding technology and storytelling; the difficulties of running a hits-based business; and the thought process behind deciding when they produce a sequel.”
Ed Catmull, president of Pixar Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation studios, spoke at D10 last week. He discussed animation’s history, its current state, and what is yet to come.
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