From Pixar's kitchens

Pixar Animation Studios has a unique story development process, cutting edge 3D animation technology, and an extraordinarily talented crew which combines to make it one of the best animation studios in the world. Ratatouille is its latest critically acclaimed blockbuster about a gastronomically talented rat and the kitchen boy whom he coaches to culinary stardom while hiding under his chef's hat. Associate Producer Galyn Susman describes the details of the lengthy pre-production process that occurs before the actual animation begins. She shares “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly” aspects of managing story development, set and character design, animation, lighting, shading, editing and guiding Pixar directors who are given considerable creative freedom. She also discusses how the repeated mega success of Pixar's films creates a fear of failure that might hinder its artists' creativity in the future. Will the studio's ability to be flexible, creative and competitive in the future be in jeopardy now that the Walt Disney Company owns it ?