Latest news with #Docter
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pixar shares new ‘Toy Story 5' details — and who'll replace a beloved character
Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the characters in Pixar's most beloved franchise will face their ultimate challenge yet in ' Toy Story 5 ': children who'd rather stare at their screens than play with action figures. Pete Docter, chief creative officer of Disney's Emeryville-based Pixar Animation Studios, revealed the opening sequence and behind-the-scenes footage for what is expected to be one of the biggest movies of 2026 on Friday, June 13. 'It's toy meets tech,' Docter told the Annecy Animation Festival crowd in France. The plot of 'Toy Story 5' will feature the cast of miniatures dealing with a tech tablet named Lillypad, the new favorite plaything of their 8-year-old owner, Bonnie Anderson. Docter confirmed the return of franchise regulars Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz) and Joan Cusack (Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl), and said that Ernie Hudson will voice Combat Carl, taking over for the late Carl Weathers. Docter then showed the first scene, in which a bunch of Buzz Lightyears are in an abandoned container awake on a deserted island, struggling to reconnect with 'Star Command.' 'Toy Story 5,' directed by Andrew Stanton and McKenna Harris and produced by Jessica Choi, is scheduled for release on June 19, 2026. But Docter was not done. He revealed a new film, 'Gatto,' an original film to be directed by ' Luca ' filmmaker Enrico Casarosa. Set for release in 2027, it follows Nero, a water-hating black cat living in Venice, Italy, who befriends Maya, a lonely street musician. Docter also showed the first footage for the previously announced 'Hoppers,' due out March 6, about Mabel (Piper Curda), a young woman trying to stop a local mayor (Jon Hamm) from building a highway that will destroy woodlands. Using a secret brain-swapping technology, Mabel becomes a robot beaver to lead a revolt. The first ' Toy Story,' Pixar's first feature-length film that revolutionized animation, showed at Annecy in 1995. Since then, the festival has become the Cannes of animation — or, as Docter calls it, 'the greatest festival in the world.'
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Apple founder Steve Jobs' work habit shared by Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos that Pixar executive says his wife told him to 'junk'
Apple founder Steve Jobs would reportedly call colleagues at hours, as revealed by Pixar 's Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter. According to a recent CNBC report, Docter told Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala that Jobs would phone colleagues 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning … you're on vacation, doesn't matter'. He further stated that Jobs' after-hours calls were non-negotiable and that the intensity often ignored personal boundaries. Docter's comments come amid ongoing discussions about tech's always-on work culture. He positioned his own leadership style as a contrast to that of Jobs — and to the hustle culture promoted by figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos . 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on,' Docter further added. As per the report, Docter admitted he sometimes sends late-night emails himself but added, 'That's what my wife's trying to get me to stop doing.' Jobs' intense style, however, didn't extend to Pixar's creative process. 'Steve was pretty amazing at saying, 'This is not my business,'' Docter noted, crediting Jobs for stepping back and allowing animators to lead on storytelling and visuals. Pixar CEO praises Apple's Steve Jobs He also praised Jobs' ability to quickly cut through complex issues. 'He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing … sit for about five minutes and analyze what the conversation was really about.' For those unaware, Steve Jobs purchased Pixar in 1986 from Lucasfilm. The company grew under his ownership before being acquired by Disney in 2006 for $7.4 billion. In a related news, Steve Jobs' iconic 2005 Stanford commencement address completed 20 years last week. Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), CEO Tim Cook wrote 'It's hard to believe it's been 20 years since Steve told Stanford graduates to stay hungry and stay foolish.' He continued, 'His powerful advice still rings true, and I hope it helps guide this year's new grads as they begin their journey to become tomorrow's leaders.' Top 7 Essential Gadgets for Trekking & Hiking in the Mountains (2025) AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Pixar exec says former boss Steve Jobs called workers anytime, even at 3 a.m. and on vacation—but it's a red flag he won't repeat
A Pixar executive said his former boss Steve Jobs would call 'at any time, day or night, three in the morning,' even if 'you're on vacation, doesn't matter.' It's a leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate at the $7.4 billion animation studio. Other CEOs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have fostered company cultures that expected workers to be 'always on.' While Steve Jobs may be best known for revolutionizing tech with the iPhone and iPod, few people may know about his double life bringing beloved films like Finding Nemo and Toy Story to life. He was one of the three founding fathers of Pixar Animation Studios, purchasing the group from Lucasfilm in 1986. But in helping lead the iconic movie company, Jobs had a certain habit that would drive any employee up the wall. 'He would call—especially the producers—at any time, day or night, three in the morning, you're on vacation, doesn't matter,' Pete Docter, chief creative officer at Pixar who formerly worked under Jobs, said at Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Gala last week. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on.' Docter assumed the Apple cofounder disregarded people's downtime because he was so passionate about the work—after all, Jobs was particularly skilled at problem-solving and relinquishing authority at Pixar to let the animators really shine. But Docter said the after-hours calling is one leadership trait he doesn't want to emulate, even though he slips up sometimes. Even though the late Apple CEO did not seem to respect staffers' personal time all too much, he did hold their work in deep reverence. Docter recalled how Jobs was 'pretty amazing at saying, 'this is not my business,'' and letting the creatives have control over their projects. Docter said Jobs carried a disposition that 'I'm not going to come in here and direct this movie or tell you what to do.' If it weren't for the financial backing, supportive leadership, and animation geniuses at the helm of Pixar, it might not be the filmmaking giant it is today. The studio's first movie was Toy Story, released in 1995—one of the most beloved films to come from Pixar, launching a five-film franchise, and counting. Pixar then went on to churn out hits like The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Up over the next 15 years. Under fierce competition to keep pace with the studio's immense popularity, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006. There were undoubtedly growing pains in scaling the studio, but Jobs had a particular talent in helping employees solve problems. Docter said he was able to understand issues quickly and provide guidance. 'He could walk into rooms where he knew nothing about what was going on…sit for about five minutes, and analyze what the conversation was really about.' the Pixar executive continued. 'I think that came from years of practicing.' The expectation that staffers should be 'always on' at the whim of their bosses is no new fad; it's often the culture of high performance, so businesses can 'move fast and break things.' Tesla leader Elon Musk is famous for sending out emails at odd hours, as early as 2:30 a.m., and expecting his staffers to match his intense work ethic. 'There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week,' Musk tweeted in 2018. Amazon is also known for fostering a pretty tough work culture. A New York Times article from 2015 reported that employees were expected to be on top of communication, even if emails came in past midnight. If staffers didn't answer promptly, they would get text messages asking why they didn't reply. Founder Jeff Bezos has since promoted work-life harmony over 'balance.' This story was originally featured on
Economic Times
09-06-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Steve Jobs was a creative genius, but Pixar's CCO Pete Docter says there's one habit of the legend you shouldn't copy
Steve Jobs' genius, as revealed by Pixar CCO Pete Docter, wasn't in filmmaking but in his rare skill to cut through complex conversations and reach the core issue in minutes. (Images: X/@DovterPete, Agencies) When Steve Jobs bought Pixar from Lucasfilm in 1986 for $10 million, few could have predicted it would grow into one of the world's most beloved animation studios. But according to Pete Docter, the company's Chief Creative Officer and one of its earliest employees, Jobs' genius lay not in creative interference—but in restraint. 'Steve was pretty amazing at saying, 'This is not my business,'' Docter said during the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies Summit. Even though Jobs was Pixar's executive producer and bankroller, he never tried to direct a film or impose his will on the storytellers. He knew where his strengths ended—and trusted the animators, writers, and directors to do what they did best. Jobs' leadership wasn't about knowing everything—it was about knowing how to listen. Docter, who joined Pixar as its third animator and is now a three-time Oscar-winning director, recalled how Jobs could walk into any meeting, even one far outside his domain, and within five minutes distill the entire conversation to its essence. 'He could sit for about five minutes and analyze what the conversation was really about,' Docter said. 'That's not something anyone's born with. It came from years of practice.' It's a skill Docter himself has tried to nurture over decades—understanding that the ability to cut through noise and see the real issue is as powerful as any technical expertise. Jobs wasn't just a tech savant; he was an emotional strategist who knew how to read a room and steer a ship—even if it wasn't his to command. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fast Company (@fastcompany) But even icons have imperfections. Jobs, Docter candidly admitted, had one habit he's made a point never to emulate: the infamous anytime, anywhere phone calls. 'He would call — especially the producers — at any time, day or night, 3 in the morning, you're on vacation, doesn't matter,' said Docter. While Jobs' relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for his work are legendary, his disregard for personal boundaries wasn't always appreciated. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on,' Docter said, adding that while he tries to avoid this practice, he still occasionally sends late-night emails—much to his wife's dismay. From Toy Story to Up to Inside Out , Pixar became a storytelling powerhouse under Docter and others, while Jobs remained mostly in the background. Despite being the largest shareholder after Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006, Jobs rarely disrupted the creative process. He believed in explaining things until people understood them—not forcing outcomes. Former Disney CEO Bob Iger said in an interview with Vanity Fair that he was warned Jobs might be a tyrant, only to find him refreshingly collaborative. 'Who wouldn't want Steve Jobs to have influence over how a company is run?' Iger said. In a world that often glorifies overwork and round-the-clock dedication, Docter's reflections serve as a nuanced reminder: intensity must be balanced with empathy. Jobs' genius lay in vision, clarity, and emotional insight—but his tendency to blur the lines between urgency and intrusion is a cautionary tale for leaders today. Docter, who once mirrored his own social awkwardness in characters like Carl from Up , now leads Pixar with a softer edge—channeling Jobs' brilliance without inheriting his flaws. 'I guess that's what my wife's trying to get me to stop doing,' he said, laughing, about his midnight emails.
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Steve Jobs was a creative genius, but Pixar's CCO Pete Docter says there's one habit of the legend you shouldn't copy
Decoding Genius: The Man Who Could See the Core in Minutes The Flaw in the Legend: The 3AM Calls No One Misses Pixar's Unlikely Rise and Jobs' Silent Genius Lessons in Leadership and Boundaries When Steve Jobs bought Pixar from Lucasfilm in 1986 for $10 million, few could have predicted it would grow into one of the world's most beloved animation studios. But according to Pete Docter , the company's Chief Creative Officer and one of its earliest employees, Jobs' genius lay not in creative interference—but in restraint.'Steve was pretty amazing at saying, 'This is not my business,'' Docter said during the Fast Company Most Innovative Companies Summit. Even though Jobs was Pixar's executive producer and bankroller, he never tried to direct a film or impose his will on the storytellers. He knew where his strengths ended—and trusted the animators, writers, and directors to do what they did leadership wasn't about knowing everything—it was about knowing how to listen. Docter, who joined Pixar as its third animator and is now a three-time Oscar-winning director, recalled how Jobs could walk into any meeting, even one far outside his domain, and within five minutes distill the entire conversation to its essence.'He could sit for about five minutes and analyze what the conversation was really about,' Docter said. 'That's not something anyone's born with. It came from years of practice.'It's a skill Docter himself has tried to nurture over decades—understanding that the ability to cut through noise and see the real issue is as powerful as any technical expertise. Jobs wasn't just a tech savant; he was an emotional strategist who knew how to read a room and steer a ship—even if it wasn't his to even icons have imperfections. Jobs, Docter candidly admitted, had one habit he's made a point never to emulate: the infamous anytime, anywhere phone calls. 'He would call — especially the producers — at any time, day or night, 3 in the morning, you're on vacation, doesn't matter,' said Jobs' relentless pursuit of excellence and passion for his work are legendary, his disregard for personal boundaries wasn't always appreciated. 'He wants to talk to you about it, you're on,' Docter said, adding that while he tries to avoid this practice, he still occasionally sends late-night emails—much to his wife's Toy Story to Up to Inside Out, Pixar became a storytelling powerhouse under Docter and others, while Jobs remained mostly in the background. Despite being the largest shareholder after Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion in 2006, Jobs rarely disrupted the creative process. He believed in explaining things until people understood them—not forcing Disney CEO Bob Iger said in an interview with Vanity Fair that he was warned Jobs might be a tyrant, only to find him refreshingly collaborative. 'Who wouldn't want Steve Jobs to have influence over how a company is run?' Iger a world that often glorifies overwork and round-the-clock dedication, Docter's reflections serve as a nuanced reminder: intensity must be balanced with empathy. Jobs' genius lay in vision, clarity, and emotional insight—but his tendency to blur the lines between urgency and intrusion is a cautionary tale for leaders who once mirrored his own social awkwardness in characters like Carl from Up, now leads Pixar with a softer edge—channeling Jobs' brilliance without inheriting his flaws. 'I guess that's what my wife's trying to get me to stop doing,' he said, laughing, about his midnight emails.
