Making the Cut at Pixar


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MAKING THE CUT AT PIXAR authors – Bobbie O’Steen and Bill Kinder

MAKING THE CUT AT PIXAR co-authors Bill Kinder and Bobbie O’Steen are experts in the field of post production. Kinder was the founding Director of Editorial and Post Production at Pixar from 1996–2014 and O’Steen is a teacher and film historian, specializing in editing, as well as the author of The Invisible Cut and Cut to the Chase.  Together they have created a multimedia “book” that guides readers on a journey through every stage of production on an animated film; from storyboards to virtual cameras and final animation.

With unprecedented access to the Pixar edit suite, this authoritative project highlights the central role film editors play in some of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies of all time.  Featuring exclusive interviews with animation editors and other creative leads, MAKING THE CUT AT PIXAR includes nearly 90 minutes of video segments that include never-before-seen works in progress, deleted scenes and demonstrations; all of which shed light on how these beloved stories are crafted. The challenges and essential contributions of editors in animation have never before been examined in such depth and detail.

In addition to exploring method and craft, this book provides important context for the editor in film history, the evolution of technology, and Pixar’s uniquely collaborative studio culture.  A must-read for students of digital filmmaking methods, filmmakers in all aspects of production, and fans of Pixar movies, this uniquely educational, historical, and entertaining book sheds light on how beloved stories are crafted from the perspective of crucial members of the filmmaking team.

Writing “Making the Cut at Pixar”

In our discussion with Bobbie and Bill, we talk about:

  • The “big bang” of TOY STORY on the world of CGI Animation
  • Editor Lee Unkrich introducing Avid editing into traditional animation
  • How CGI “flipped the script” on the way editors impact the writing process
  • The PIXAR origin story
  • Sharpening your ear to make believable cuts

The Credits

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