In the Spotlight: Pete Docter, Ed Catmull and John Lasseter!

It’s always great to hear from top-level Pixarians that you know won’t be getting too much exposure over the next few months — that’s what this post focuses on.

Let’s begin with Pete Docter who broke into the spotlight once again after almost a decade during the release of Up! Cinematical recently caught up with the Academy Award winning director at a Dallas Film Society event before he was presented with the Tex Avery Animation Award.

We probably won’t have a chance to hear much from him as Pixar’s gears switch to Toy Story 3 and Cars 2, but this fantastic interview will offer you the chance to hear from a post-awards show Docter and his outlook on the future of his career in film making.

Next up is a talk with Pixar President and co-founder Ed Catmull who is quite literally one of the most intelligent people alive. Fact: My geekiness was hard to contain when meeting him, but he’s so down to Earth.

Anyway, The Economist sat with Ed Catmull as he chatted about Pixar’s philosophy of fostering creativity and talent. You can tell by the way he speaks that he’s in full control of the operation up in Emeryville but in a fair-minded way, of course. Check out the full-length talk here — even if you don’t have the time, definitely read through the anecdotes provided.

Last but not least is John Lasseter chatting it up with his wife Nancy about the Lasseter Family Winery at Disney’s Food and Wine Festival. This LA Times interview doesn’t have much to do with Pixar, but the animation CCO’s vineyard has always interested me. If you’re interested, watch the video interviews here.

I’ve been dying to post these articles for a few days now and I’m glad to finally have the chance to do so in a post with an encompassing theme. But there’s more to look out for that wouldn’t fit in. Coming soon is another installment of Woody’s News Round-Up which you won’t want to miss!

I really do hope you guys have the time to read these articles and watch the videos, they’re worth it!