Business Wars

Disney-Pixar vs Dreamworks | Battle of the Bugs | 2

21 snips
Feb 22, 2023
In 1995, the animation landscape is set ablaze as Pixar's Toy Story gears up for launch. Disney and DreamWorks engage in a fierce rivalry, with Jeffrey Katzenberg snatching talent from Disney to bolster his new studio. As both giants try to outmaneuver each other through release schedule tactics, Pixar finds itself in the line of fire. This thrilling tale explores the chaotic competition reshaping animated films, marked by creative clashes and strategic gambits.
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ANECDOTE

Katzenberg's First Animated Feature

  • Katzenberg, aiming to surpass Disney's hand-drawn animation, chose The Prince of Egypt as DreamWorks' first animated film.
  • He learned about Pixar's A Bug's Life during Lasseter's visit, suspecting Eisner of scheduling it to clash with Prince of Egypt.
ANECDOTE

*Toy Story*'s Marketing Blitz

  • Disney launched a massive marketing campaign for Toy Story, including merchandise and TV specials.
  • The film's success made it the third highest-grossing animated movie at the time, leading to Pixar's successful IPO.
ANECDOTE

DreamWorks and PDI's *Antz*

  • PDI, a computer graphics company, pitched movie ideas to DreamWorks after Toy Story's success.
  • DreamWorks eventually partnered with PDI for Antz, incentivizing them to finish before Pixar's similar bug movie.
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