In this episode, Dr. Smith reveals how Pixar survived repeated setbacks, why the company was rejected by dozens of venture capital firms, how its first major business deal collapsed overnight, and how John Lasseter ultimately helped transform Pixarโs vision for computer animation.
George Lucas's Misunderstanding (00:01:11)
Dr. Smith explains that George Lucas didn't understand his team's creative potential, seeing them only as technical support.
The "Star Trek II" Opportunity (00:02:52)
The team gets its big break creating a 60-second CGI shot for "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
A Commercial for George Lucas (00:05:18)
The "Star Trek" shot was designed with a complex camera move to impress George Lucas and showcase their capabilities.
Leaving Lucasfilm (00:08:02)
Following George Lucas's divorce, the team decided to form their own company to stay together and survive financially.
The Search for Funding (00:10:18)
The team was rejected by 35 venture capital firms before pursuing a joint venture with General Motors and Philips.
A Deal Collapses (00:13:08)
The promising deal with General Motors and Philips fell apart overnight due to a conflict involving Ross Perot.
The "Hail Mary Pass" to Steve Jobs (00:14:07)
With no other options, the team approached Steve Jobs, who agreed to invest in their new company, Pixar.
Managing Steve Jobs (00:16:38)
Dr. Smith describes Steve Jobs as a difficult person and explains their strategy was to keep him out of Pixar's building.
Why Dr. Smith Left Pixar (00:17:31)
He left in 1991 to escape a poisonous working relationship with Steve Jobs, but only after securing the "Toy Story" deal.
Advice for Younger Generations (00:18:17)
Dr. Smith advises young people to know what they are good at, become the best, and go where the action is.
Learning to Animate (00:19:30)
Dr. Smith discusses his early animation work and learning the principles of animation from Disney masters Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.
Hiring John Lasseter (00:22:16)
Dr. Smith recounts meeting and hiring animator John Lasseter, who was crucial to Pixar's creative success.
The Genius of a Real Animator (00:25:38)
Dr. Smith realized he wasn't a "real animator" after seeing John Lasseter's ability to make polygons seem conscious and alive.
The Origin of the Luxo Jr. Lamp (00:27:01)
John Lasseter created the iconic Luxo Jr. short film at Lucasfilm to show traditional animators the potential of computers.
Waiting for Computer Power (00:31:12)
Pixar knew they had to wait five years for Moore's Law to make a feature-length CGI film economically feasible.
The Disney Deal (00:31:52)
Disney eventually approached Pixar to make a movie, a deal that was years in the making and saved the company financially.
Convincing John Lasseter (00:35:53)
John Lasseter initially refused to work with Disney, but was convinced after a crucial meeting at their Burbank headquarters.
Steve Jobs's True Role (00:40:10)
Dr. Smith clarifies that Steve Jobs's genius was taking Pixar public, not in the creative or technical development of the company.
