Sophie Alcorn Podcast

207: Behind Pixar: Untold Stories of Technology and Creativity with Co-Founder Alvy Ray Smith


Listen Later

Visionary insights from Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, co-founder of Pixar, reveal the unnoticed revolution of digital convergence that began around 2000. He shares how this shift from analog to digital media, driven by the relentless pace of Moore's Law, set the stage for game-changing technologies like AI. Through a captivating discussion, we revisit the days when analog ruled and follow the technological trailblazers who redefined our media landscape, illustrating the persistent theme of change and adaptation in the digital era.

Dr. Alvy Ray Smith is the co-founder of Pixar, was the first Director of Computer Graphics at Lucasfilm, and has received two technical Academy Awards for digital moviemaking. He is the author of A Biography of the Pixel from MIT Press about the Great Digital Convergence that drives the modern world.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
  • Digital convergence around 2000, transitioning media from analog to digital bits.

  • Impact of Moore's Law on technological advancements, including AI.

  • Evolution from typewriters to digital filmmaking, leading to Pixar's creation.

  • Challenges and patronage in Pixar's early days, including interactions with Steve Jobs.

  • Reflections on future technological changes and the role of critical thinking.

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Supporting Resources:

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvy-ray-smith-7b19006a?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Website - http://alvyray.com

https://www.amazon.com/Biography-Pixel-Leonardo-Alvy-Smith/dp/0262542455/

Alcorn Immigration Law:
  • Subscribe to the monthly Alcorn newsletter

  • Sophie Alcorn Podcast:

  • Episode 16: E-2 Visa for Founders and Employees

  • Episode 19: Australian Visas Including E-3

  • Episode 20: TN Visas and Status for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

  • Immigration Options for Talent, Investors, and Founders

  • Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook

Alcorn Academy course for best practices for securing the O-1A visa, EB-1A green card, or the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) green card—the top options for startup founders. Use promotion code EAB20 for 20% off the enrollment fee.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Sophie Alcorn PodcastBy Sophie Alcorn

  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6
  • 4.6

4.6

23 ratings


More shows like Sophie Alcorn Podcast

View all
The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

111,034 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

15,514 Listeners

The Residency Match by Malke Asaad

The Residency Match

12 Listeners