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To Pixar and Beyond

By: Lawrence Levy
Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot
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Summary

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
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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)

What listeners say about To Pixar and Beyond

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Incredible.

One of the best books I’ve ever listened to. Loved it so much. Thank you Lawrence for creating it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Pixar story great, ending... Not so much

Mostly very enjoyable but the ending seemed shoehorned in and doesn't fit with the rest of the book

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Pixellent!

I don’t normally write reviews unless something really moves me to do so.

I have been a fan of Pixar ever since I saw Luxo Jnr featured on a Children’s animation show when I was about 8 years old, this was then followed by Tin Toy and then Knick Knack. These pictures I was seeing and the characters involved left a mark on me that I would never forget.

When I found this audio book I was taken back to how I felt when I was a kid but at the same time very much in the present as both a business owner and techie. No matter whether I was listening as an adult or as the child in me this story fascinated me on all levels. Hearing how Woody, Buzz and all the rest of the Pixar cast went from a sketch to being alive and making us fall in love with them was an amazing tale.

This book is beautifully balanced between business and pleasure and I cannot rate it enough. It is ok to dream and believe that anything is possible and this book proves that.


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Absolutely brilliant!

This is a book about the business side of Pixar and could have been a very dry read of facts, figures, and dates. Instead it is a totally riveting story full of fascinating details about the business that have probably never even crossed your mind. The huge hurdles that had to be overcome, the highs and lows and most importantly the people and their feelings and emotions. I can not recommend this book highly enough!

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Sublime

Great insight into Pixar. Coming off the back of Creativity Inc this is another amazing look into the Pixar story but specifically Steve's role.

Before these two books I hadn't quite realised he was connected to them. I also particularly enjoyed hearing about another side of him, a more human side.

The narrator conveyed the emotions well and not once was he monotonous in his story telling.

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Will read again

Only picked this up as I grew up on Pixar's creation's.
Great book showing the story of the company that anyone that has ever ventured on their own can relate too also showing a deeper meaning to connection between people - good read recommend it!

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wow

WOW JUST WOW i jave always dreamed of qorking for.pixar and Disney as artist but here the story of how pixar was built and to find out that pixar almost never was

for amy true disney fan this is a must listen

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    4 out of 5 stars

Great book that tails off on the end

The first 90% of this book was amazing- had to 2X the speed to finish it though.

Highly recommend if you are interested in business relationships or the inner workings of how small companies grow into massive and

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iPixar

A very interesting alternate viewpoint of the Pixar story. Not the kind of bonus featurette you’d find on the DVD for one of its movies.. but a peak down the hall from the creatives office to the often overlooked people who enable the story tellers. Also a humanising look at Steve Jobs that’s more about quiet walks than flashy Apple tech announcements.

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Somehow I knew it would be great.

I finished this in just under 2 days. It was such a intriguing ride through the history of Pixar and I've come away with x10 more respect for the company and Steve Jobs.

From an avid android user, entrepreneur and storyteller.

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1 person found this helpful