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To Pixar and Beyond

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To Pixar and Beyond

By: Lawrence Levy
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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About this listen

One day in November 1994, Lawrence Levy received a phone call out of the blue from Steve Jobs, whom he'd never met, offering him a job running Pixar, a little-known company that had already lost Jobs $50 million.

With Pixar's prospects looking bleak, it was with some trepidation that Levy accepted the position. After a few weeks he discovered that the situation was even worse than he'd imagined. Pixar's advertising division just about broke even, its graphics software had few customers, its short films didn't make any money and, on top of all that, Jobs was pushing to take the company public. Everything was riding on the studio's first feature film, codenamed Toy Story, and even then it would have to be one of the most successful animated features of all time....

Full of wisdom on bringing business and creativity together, and recounting the touching story of Levy's enduring friendship with Jobs, To Pixar and Beyond is a fascinating insider's account of one of Hollywood's greatest success stories.

©2017 Lawrence Levy (P)2016 Audiobooks.com Publishing Leadership Management & Leadership Business Inspiring Thought-Provoking Management

Critic Reviews

"This book, like Pixar's story, is truly remarkable." ( E&T Magazine)
"A magnifying glass held to the small print that is needed to make magic." ( The Sunday Times)
"A charming, upbeat tale...much like one of the studio's own animated features." ( Financial Times)
All stars
Most relevant  
Great story about the journey but I feel like it was a little lite on detail about the challenges the company went through to finally reach success. I still enjoyed the book - the reader was excellent at showing emotion throughout.

Great story but...

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learned so much I didn't know about Pixar's history and it's climb to glory. truly interesting and well read

fascinating story

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Enjoyable story about Pixar and the great rise of the company written by someone involved in all aspects of the business. Worth the purchase and time to listen

Enjoyable book and story

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When I first started listening to "To Pixar and Beyond", I had hoped I was listening to an in-depth management outline by Lawrence Levy, the man who turned Pixar around and help make it the icon we know and love today.

I then thought the word "Fluff" but as I listened I became engrossed and listened to the whole book within a few days and feel I have lost a friend at the end of it. Although, light, LL goes over the essential changes that he and others made that changed a great company into a powerhouse in innovation. I smiled when LL spoke about the Pixar / Disney logos having to be exactly the same size. I had gone through exactly the same situation with a world power company and Cudos for the credits. I appreciated that innovation. I run a small group of companies and like Levy have recently launched a new company that is Responsible Fairtrade that embraces Buddhist principles ( i am a devote Christian but know Jesus and Buddha would have been "Great Buds" if they meet.). Kudos LL.

The book makes light of the IPO but I read a greater strategy in this section. Using Toy Story success as a launching pad to gain market value and independence. I would love to know more in-depth information about this. Jim Morris is a laser light for Disney and LL and SJ are extremely lucky to have had him at the helm.

It is now my objective to study, the culture of Pixar and hopefully adopt at least some of it into my companies.
Well done young LL
I appreciate your book,
Highly recommended.
Now for Creative Inc and the Harvard Business Review on Pixar, when a company is studied and then published in the HBR you know it is special.......


Thoroughly Enjoyed Listing To...Well, good luck.'

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I'm not a finance or legal person. I have a fleeting interest in business. what I do have is a burning love and passion for Pixar. I love the insight this book gave into the heart and soul of the workings of pixar.

a beautifully told tale

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This is one of the best books I have read for a long long time. Captivating storyline and equally impressive narration. A treat for all Steve jobs fan as well.
Give a real insight on how Pixar became an animation behemoth from humble beginnings.

Must Read...without a doubt

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Insightful 1st part.
Skipped the post Pixar section as it's not my cup of tea.
Gives a nice human side to Steve Jobs

Pixar section is fascinating

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I really enjoyed this book, although I would have liked to have heard a little bit more about the creative process, but this is a book about the business side. I was pretty captivated by the story despite it taking a long time to reach the pivotal central moment. Do not expect movie characters and story plots, this is about the money, the legal issues, and battles to succeed.

The Business Of Creativity

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It is a humble and touching reflection on Levy’s time in a company that clearly touch his life as much as he helped them. Filled with nostalgia about the times of Pixar it holds plenty of awe about the early stages of the company and how fortunate it is to even exist. He brings it all together in a brief but thought provoking reflection on his spiritual journey. A book I am sure to go back to.

A moving reflection on a culture changing company.

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Fascinating insight into the financial management and the business negotiations around Pixars’ successes. Written in an accessible and captivating manner. Loved it right up to the point he left Pixar and began to study with Tibetan Monks.

Fantastic until the last couple of chapters

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