John Lasseter Quotes

Powerful John Lasseter for Daily Growth

About John Lasseter

John Lasseter, a visionary figure in the realm of animation and visual effects, was born on February 16, 1957, in Hollywood, California. Raised in the heart of the entertainment industry, his love for animation began at an early age, nurtured by frequent visits to Disneyland and numerous viewings of Walt Disney's films. After graduating from Cal Arts with a BFA in Computer Animation, Lasseter joined Lucasfilm's Computer Division in 1983, working on the groundbreaking film 'Young Sherlock Holmes.' However, it was his move to Pixar Animation Studios in 1986 that truly catapulted his career. As a key creative force behind Pixar, he served as the Chief Creative Officer, leading the production of beloved films such as 'Toy Story' (1995), 'A Bug's Life' (1998), 'Toy Story 2' (1999), and 'Finding Nemo' (2003). Lasseter's innovative approach to animation, characterized by his emphasis on character emotion and storytelling, revolutionized the industry. In 2006, he became the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, overseeing the production of 'Cars,' 'Ratatouille,' and 'WALL-E.' His impact extended beyond animation into live-action films, where he served as executive producer for 'Enchanted' (2007) and 'Alice in Wonderland' (2010). Lasseter stepped down from his positions at Disney and Pixar in 2018 amid allegations of misconduct. Despite this controversy, his contributions to the animation industry remain undeniable, earning him numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature (for 'Toy Story 3' in 2010 and 'Brave' in 2012). Quotes: "The most satisfying parts of my job is being with the story people. It all starts with a great idea, and then we have to figure out how to bring that idea to life." - John Lasseter

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I don't make movies for kids. I make them for adults to take their kids to."

This quote suggests that John Lasseter, a prominent animator and filmmaker, crafts films with an understanding that adults are significant influencers in the lives of children. His movies aren't merely intended to entertain kids but rather engage both the child and the adult companion. The underlying message is that thoughtful storytelling and artistic depth can resonate with people across age groups, fostering meaningful experiences for families when they share these films together.


"Animation can explain everything if you are willing to watch it."

This quote by John Lasseter highlights the profound ability of animation, a form of art, to elucidate complex ideas and concepts. It suggests that when we approach animation with an open mind and willingness to engage, it can effectively communicate any story or message, no matter how intricate or abstract. Essentially, Lasseter is emphasizing that animation is not just entertainment; it's a potent tool for education and understanding the world around us.


"Story is king. Animation serves the story."

This quote emphasizes that in animation, the story or narrative takes precedence over visuals or technique. It highlights that animation's primary purpose is to tell a compelling story effectively, using visual elements only as tools to bring the tale to life. A strong narrative is essential for engaging an audience and making an impactful film, regardless of its technical aspects.


"We don't start with technology and try to shoehorn a movie into that. We start with a great idea for a story, and then we look at what technology can bring to that."

This quote highlights the importance of storytelling as the foundation in animation filmmaking, emphasizing that the primary focus should be on creating a compelling narrative rather than solely relying on technological advancements. The role of technology is seen as a tool for enhancing and elevating the story, rather than being the driving force behind it. In essence, Lasseter suggests that a strong, heartfelt tale will resonate with audiences more effectively when supported by innovative technology.


"My goal as a filmmaker is to make films that make people feel something... whether it's laughter or tears, I want them to know they've been there."

This quote emphasizes the power of storytelling in evoking emotions from an audience. John Lasseter, a renowned filmmaker, aims to create films that are not just visual experiences but also emotional journeys for viewers. Whether it's laughter to bring joy or tears to stir deep feelings, his goal is to provide an immersive experience where the audience can relate and empathize with the narrative on a personal level, thus validating their shared human experiences.


What I love about Goofy is the flesh on his cheeks. You can almost feel it.

- John Lasseter

Love, I Love, His, Goofy

I do what I do because of Walt Disney. Goofy. Mickey Mouse. I never forgot how their films entertained me.

- John Lasseter

Goofy, Films, Walt, Mickey

There was a period of time when they estimated the two biggest stars in Hollywood were Charlie Chaplin and Mickey Mouse.

- John Lasseter

Hollywood, Period, Estimated, Mickey

My brother liked sewing and sculpting and making things, and my sister sewed and painted and cooked and baked. She's a professional baker now and makes the most gorgeous sculpture-like cakes. She's the queen of wedding cakes in the Lake Tahoe area.

- John Lasseter

Queen, Painted, Liked, Cooked

I quickly realized that this medium had a lot to offer someone like me. To do Disney-quality hand-drawn cartoons, you have to be a master of two art forms. Seriously, you have to be able to draw like a Leonardo da Vinci or a Michelangelo. But also you have to know movement and timing and control that through 24 frames a second.

- John Lasseter

Through, Quickly, Had, Cartoons

When I was a freshman in high school, I read a book about the making of Disney's 'Sleeping Beauty' called 'The Art of Animation.' It was this weird revelation for me, because I hadn't considered that people actually get paid to make cartoons.

- John Lasseter

Beauty, Book, Considered, Cartoons

I love Japan. I love the collision of the modern and ancient worlds coming together in that place. It's so high-tech and cool.

- John Lasseter

Love, Japan, Worlds, Collision

I'm really proud of 'Cars.' 'Cars,' when it first came out, got probably the most mediocre reviews of a Pixar film.

- John Lasseter

Proud, Film, Pixar, Reviews

The greatest bad guys, you understand where they're coming from. They believe they're doing the right thing. Sometimes it's for greed, sometimes it's for other reasons, but they are what they call the center of good. They always believe they're doing the right thing.

- John Lasseter

Doing, Other, Reasons, Guys

Fortunately for me, I'm married to an amazing woman - Nancy Lasseter - who is wise enough not to let me buy every car I want. If I was single, I would be living in a very small apartment and renting a warehouse full of cool cars.

- John Lasseter

Woman, Small, Very, Fortunately

I love bringing the inanimate object to life.

- John Lasseter

Love, I Love, Bringing, Inanimate

If you're sitting in your minivan, playing your computer animated films for your children in the back seat, is it the animation that's entertaining you as you drive and listen? No, it's the storytelling. That's why we put so much importance on story. No amount of great animation will save a bad story.

- John Lasseter

Movies, Storytelling, Bad, Animated

When I started work with LucasArts Computer Division back in 1984, I went to the Palace of Fine Arts and saw the Festival of Animation for the first time. I loved the diverse collection of animated films the festival held.

- John Lasseter

Back, Division, Held, Animated

Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood are among the most entertaining and beloved characters ever animated by Disney.

- John Lasseter

Entertaining, Hundred, Animated

In an animated film you can do whatever you want, but that doesn't mean you should do everything you want.

- John Lasseter

Want, Mean, Should, Animated

Look at the films of Walt Disney: 'Snow White' came out in February 1938, and I can't think of another film from that year that's watched as much. The same is true of 'Bambi,' 'Dumbo'... even, frankly, 'Toy Story,' which is probably watched more than any other movie of 1995.

- John Lasseter

Year, Movie, Other, Bambi

'Bambi' is an amazing film, and when you watch it today, it's just as beautiful. It's timeless. It's just as beautiful today as it was back then.

- John Lasseter

Back, Film, Then, Bambi

Today, among little girls especially, princesses and the romanticised ideal they represent - finding the man of your dreams - have a limited shelf life.

- John Lasseter

Dreams, Ideal, Limited, Princesses

I never quite understood why Disney hadn't made a sincere fairy tale since 'Beauty and the Beast.'

- John Lasseter

Beauty, Why, Made, Disney

Pixar's short films convinced Disney that if the company could produce memorable characters within five minutes, then the confidence was there in creating a feature film with those abilities in story and character development.

- John Lasseter

Memorable, Pixar, Characters, Disney

Nobody pays attention to the way a person's shirt folds around his shoulder when they sit down, but if that shirt folded in an unusual way, you'd notice it.

- John Lasseter

Down, Way, Around, Shoulder

If you've seen 'Spirited Away', 'Spirited Away' is set in a very, very Japanese sensibility. And so, to Japanese audiences, when Sen would walk up, the main character, and look at this big building with a flag on it with Japanese writing on it, everyone in Japan would know what that is.

- John Lasseter

Big, Away, Very, Main Character

Every young person gets so excited about new software packages and new technology.

- John Lasseter

Software, New, Young, Packages

I think 'Disney Infinity' is exciting. It's hard to even call it a video game, because it's so different. What excites me about this is how it's going to put more and more of what happens in the game into the hands of the user; it's up to them. You can play it to where everything's laid out for you.

- John Lasseter

Game, Play, I Think, Infinity

I love working for a company full of geeks.

- John Lasseter

Love, Working, I Love, Geeks

In dire economic times, movies are relatively inexpensive entertainment for the whole family.

- John Lasseter

Movies, Entertainment, Times, Dire

The magic of Disneyland, walking through the tunnel underneath the train station to Main Street, it just transports you to other places and other times.

- John Lasseter

Magic, Through, Other, Transports

I've often heard people say that managing creative people is the hardest thing in the world. 'They're never happy, they drive up the cost of things, blah blah blah.' I just manage people the way I always wanted to be managed. That is, to be creatively challenged, but never to be told what to do.

- John Lasseter

Happy, The Hardest Thing, Manage

When you go into the theatre and the lights dim, you want to entertain people from beginning to end. You want them to be swept up in your story, on the edge of their seats, unable to wait to see what happens next, be blown away and afterwards just go, 'Wow!'

- John Lasseter

Wait, Next, Entertain, Blown Away

At Pixar, 'Wall-E' was our ninth film, and they've all been successes - more than that, they've all really touched people. Everybody wonders, 'How do you do it?' Well, how do you not do it? You just work hard.

- John Lasseter

Been, Touched, Everybody, Ninth

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