John Lasseter
John Lasseter is a writer, Animator, Director and a producer. He is notably famous for being a pioneer of modern animation, which is computer-generated animation that dominated the mid-to late 90s. John Lasseter was born in Hollywood, California on January 12, 1957. Ever since little, Lasseter seems interested to Animation and also affected by his mother interest, which is also Art. During High school John Lasseter read a book about Disney Animation. From then on He realized what he wanted to become when he got older which is becoming an Animator. Walt Disney became his most influence person in becoming an Animator. At first John Lasseter attended Pepperdine University until he heard an animation program at the California Institute of the Arts and decided to move they’re to achieve his dream. He became the second student accepted into the program. At the California Institute of the Arts, John learns a lot about the aesthetic of Character Animation. This is mostly because 2 of the instructors of program consist of one the nine old man of Disney. While studying in California Institute of the arts, he creates two short films, which are “Lady and the Lamp” and “Nightmare”. Both of short films won Student Academy Awards. He graduated in 1979 and later on getting a full time job in Disney Animation Department.
While working in Disney, John lasseter was introduced to Computer animation when he was working on “Tron”. He then realizes how the use of computer Animation could create a lot of new possibility. John Lasseter was so sure that Computer Animation is the next big thing and could revolutionize the Animation world. So he then came up with a pitch for a feature length movie using 3D Computer Animation . Later on he showed his Idea to the head of the Animation Department in Disney Studio and they decline his Idea of computer Animation by saying that “ Computer Animation only makes good to us if it makes something quicker and cheaper”. After that unsuccessful Idea, Disney Studios fired John Lasseter because of his interest to Computer Animation. But Lasseter never give up, he then joined Lucas film on a side project for developing 3D Animation. He created test reel of incorporating 3D Animation with 2D Animation. Steve Jobs later bought the division and later it was named Pixar. John Lasseter was given a full creative control over the Company. With Pixar John Lasseter has created the Oscar-winning short film Tin toys and eventually created the world’s first full-length computer generated film Toy Story. From then on Pixar has created a lot of feature films such as A Bugs life, Toy Story 2, and many more. In 2006 John lasseter was named the chief creative officer of both Disney and Pixar after the former purchased the latter for staggering $7.4 billion. John now has complete control over animated films released by Disney and Pixar. John Lasseter story of his career in the Animation Industry has inspired me to dive into the Animation world and learn more about 3D Animation.