Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I have to agree with retlawfan. Steve Jobs on the board of Disney AND the largest stockholder. Not sure I am comfortable with that...... Anyone else agree< he's not the majority holder (51%) of Disney stock, just the largest single sotckholder....how much good did that do for Roy Disney in the end ? I think it is great to get some cutting edge techy mixed in with the bllue bloods that have been there forever.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I was wondering the same thing, cstephens. You're someone whose opinions I respect. What are your thoughts on this deal?
Originally Posted By cstephens vbdad55 wrote: > would be interested to hear why ? not being critical, just curious Because no matter what happens, Pixar will change. I like the fact that it was an independent company, doing its own thing, being distributed by Disney but yet apart from Disney. Disney can be a good company, but it's also a machine. There aren't a lot of independents around any more. And I'm one of those who doesn't believe that Steve Jobs is going to be the savior that many people think he is. And I don't know how much say Lasseter is going to have in everything and how he's going to fare in the Disney corporate structure. It's going to be a whole new game for him, and I'm not sure what will shake out in the growing pains that are sure to come. And honestly, I'm waiting for people on various boards to turn vicious when things don't happen exactly the way they want or in the time frame they want. /cs
Originally Posted By Kylesmom All good points, time will tell and I hope you're wrong about Pixar loosing its indepedant spirit (but I fear you're right).
Originally Posted By Rebekah After listening to the CNBC interview and the conference call here's what caught my attention... Steve Jobs comment that "Pixar bought into the vision of Bob Iger" I know that Bob Iger has shown a willingness to embrace new technologies that isn't shared throughout Hollywood. In fact Steve stated that when they developed the video iPod he first thought to call Iger for content. Perhaps this comment was also a last jab at Eisner who had rather publically traded jabs with Jobs in the past. Secondly, the comments during the conference call about Pixar's Ed Catmull who is becoming head of animation. I believe it was Jobs... but they credited him with created the unique environment of Pixar. Specifically citing his ability to listen to problems and find their solutions and communicate and meld both creative and technological individuals who initially came to Pixar. He was cited as the talent who helped to meld the cultures that they each brought into a Pixar culture. It was these remarks that truly ignited my thrill at the Pixar buyout. It sounds like Catmull could bring to Disney a moderate voice that would strengthen the efforts in artistry and technology of at the animation studios. Technology alone doesn't make for a good film nor does artistry alone... I'm excited about the possibilities of the rebirth of a "Disney culture" in animation. Lastly, John Lasseter's addition to WDI. I wonder what impact if any it will have on the actual operations of WDI or if it is simply a conduit to streamlining Pixar creations for the theme parks. Rebekah.
Originally Posted By idleHands With the massive expansion plans that Pixar proposed to the City of Emeryville, which were given a green light last year, it was inevitable for Pixar to change, with or without Disney. Pixar wanted to expand their campus and operations to three times its current size, long before Iger was anointed the new CEO of Disney last March. Perhaps being acquired by Disney while staying in Emeryville might allow their growth to follow a slightly more structured path, which I feel is probably a good thing. Last thing I wanted to see, when those expansion plans were originally announced, was for Pixar to become the next SGI or Cisco, in terms of being a small company growing way too fast and ultimately out of control. With Disney watching over them, I'm not so concerned with this scenario now.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <Steve Jobs comment that "Pixar bought into the vision of Bob Iger" I know that Bob Iger has shown a willingness to embrace new technologies that isn't shared throughout Hollywood. In fact Steve stated that when they developed the video iPod he first thought to call Iger for content. Perhaps this comment was also a last jab at Eisner who had rather publically traded jabs with Jobs in the past.> Just heard Jobs say this on the video -- that's a real testament to Bob Iger.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt “And honestly, I'm waiting for people on various boards to turn vicious when things don't happen exactly the way they want or in the time frame they want.†I share the same suspicions and sentiments. I believe that despite all the hoopla this week about Disney gaining new creative talent through the Pixar merger, the mature domestic theme parks market is going to become less important, and media development and content are going to evolve into Disney's biggest breadwinners and focus for expansion. Don't get me wrong; I think this is all great news, however these are business people. They don't share a love of Disney parks the way that many of us do, and thus they have the same motivations that executives all over the world do: money and more money.
Originally Posted By Duncan32 I think it will be ok. it sounded to me like Pixar would be under Disney but they are keeping everything in Emeryville and keep doing what they are doing. I can see The Pixar Team will help out the Disney CGI team by showing them newer ways to do CGI and they are not trying to one up each other now Incredibles VS Chicken Little
Originally Posted By leemac <<Just heard Jobs say this on the video -- that's a real testament to Bob Iger.>> And rightly so. Iger was the right choice and still is.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA <<Just heard Jobs say this on the video -- that's a real testament to Bob Iger.>> <And rightly so. Iger was the right choice and still is.> Apparently so, Leemac. I'm just not very familiar with Bob Iger -- he hasn't been in the limelight much, so I'm just now 'getting to know' him.
Originally Posted By mapleservo I'm not sure where I stand on this. I'm pretty excited at the plans they've laid out. But I worry about what happens the NEXT time a Pixar/Disney film has a less than stellar performance. It's seems like cost-cutting is always a first resort - hopefully Jobs can influence them otherwise. (I think he'll only own 3% of Disney stock). One thing I like about Jobs is that he pushes the idea of profit through quality, innovation and investment. And while Disney has made a lot of (IMO) foolish investments in areas of "new media" (Disposable DVDs anyone? Go Network?), Jobs seems to make pretty good buying decisions. And I agree with everyone that it's great to see an Lasseter and Catmull taking the reigns. It's an impressive move by Iger & company, and a good sign that Disney isn't in "Business as Usual" mode.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney <<Just heard Jobs say this on the video -- that's a real testament to Bob Iger.>> "And rightly so. Iger was the right choice and still is." It sure seems like it. What excited me about this is the personalities Disney is bringing in with Jobs and Lasseter. They may be egotists, but they aren't in the Michael 'I can do no wrong' Eisner line. Lasseter knows Disney in and out. From animation to the parks. And no matter his position, he will effect both divisions quite a bit. You think it's conincidental he is reporting to Iger directly for his WDI duties? No, I think it's a way to ever-so-gently send a message that it's time for new blood to move into WDI. Marty Sklar will likely retire a lot sooner. Hopefully, Tom Fitzgerald will move on or be pushed aside like Barry 'I built my whole career on Innoventions' Braverman. As for animation, an MBA in David Stainton gets shown the door. Perhaps this mean no more cheap Bambi, Cindererlla and Fox and the Hound (really?) sequels. Chicken Little was a fun little movie, but doesn't compare with anything Pixar's put out. Now, hopefully, both WDFA and Pixar animators will be able to cross-polinate, so to speak. This really was such a no-brainer. It invigorates TWDC in so many ways. Great move, Mr. Iger.
Originally Posted By LuvDatDisney "It's an impressive move by Iger & company, and a good sign that Disney isn't in "Business as Usual" mode." That sums it up very well.
Originally Posted By idleHands "Now, hopefully, both WDFA and Pixar animators will be able to cross-polinate, so to speak." Oh thank you so very much for that image! 8^P
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 This is absolutely great news imho. I'm especially ecstatic about the role John Lassiter is going to have with the company. Things can and will only get better.
Originally Posted By retlaw1 Has anybody ever noticed that the default the default date on iCal in the dock (Apples Calender app) it seems that there are some Disney fans at Apple. That in and of itself does not mean that Steve Jobs is good for Disney, but I think it will be very good.
Originally Posted By mapleservo <<Perhaps this mean no more cheap Bambi, Cindererlla and Fox and the Hound (really?) sequels.>> ..a quote from Catmull in a Wired magazine from last year, regarding Toy Story 2 (which apparently started out pretty hideous). "We decide we could never fall into the trap of thinking, Oh we'll produce crap AND great movies. Making two kinds of films is bad for your culture. You can't do great work in the long run if you think that way." I think Disney's been doing this for a while. (After rereading the article, I'm even happier about Catmull). I also think the direct to video stuff has got to be nails on the chalkboard for Jobs! He's made a career out of creating a premium brand, and is watching Disney destroy theirs with things like the Princessess Christmas DVD. Sure it makes Disney a ton of money in the short term, but... I was thinking...is Disney, in the short term, going to have a glut of animated features? I know Jobs had been talking about gearing Pixar up to 2 pictures a year.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Hopefully, Tom Fitzgerald will move on or be pushed aside like Barry 'I built my whole career on Innoventions' Braverman.>> LuvDatDisney if you want an education on Barry's resume I'll happily provide it. To suggest that the man was only responsible for Innoventions in his long run at Epcot is typically laughable from you. His work even comes through to Monsters, Inc. at DCA.
