Pixar Director Mr. Andrew Stanton

Like many of you, I have spent the past 10-15 years enjoying the animated movies that have taken the film world by storm. Mind you, even as a child, I didn’t like “cartoons”, but as an adult I love animation. Some of my favorites have been: Toy Story I & II, Monsters Inc., Cars, Ratatouille, A Bug’s Life to name a few. Now added to the list is WALL*E. WALL*E is an adorable robot that has been left on earth, alone, to clean up such a huge mess left by humans that they had to be relocated. Going about his dedicated life’s work, WALL*E will soon discover his true purpose and at the same time fall in love. New story line? No. Brilliant? Yes.

Now added to the list is WALL*E. WALL*E is an adorable robot that has been left on earth, alone, to clean up such a huge mess left by humans that they had to be relocated. Each movie listed above has tugged at my heartstrings and made me cry. Little did I know that the connection all of these movies had was this wonderful director. Mr. Stanton and I recently got a chance to speak about his latest masterpiece

RR: Hello Andrew, How are You?
AS: Great, thank you.
RR: We have a few minutes, so I’m gong to just jump right in.
AS: OK
RR: Andrew, you have so many titles now, you are a director, producer, animator, and a voice-over actor. What is it like wearing all those hats?

AS: Well, I don’t get them mixed up, they all have their moments. The big titles, I use to help others when they need it and give advice on their projects when they ask. Most of my day is spent being a director and the other half is spent being a writer. Because, their usually on the same project, they go hand in hand. So, it doesn’t get too confusing.

RR: Did you ever envision, when you were in college studying to become an animator, that your resume would be this extensive and you’d be this busy?

AS: Not at all, I never planned for any of this. All I wanted to do was to get a chance to work in animation and I barely got a chance to do that before Pixar hired me. I was really struggling trying to get a foothold anywhere because business wasn’t what it is now. So, to even possibly think about directing a film or writing a movie or even any of the stuff that’s happen to me was never ever planned for.
RR: My husband and I are not parents yet, but we’ve gotten the opportunity to see each of your movies, except Ratatouille , but I’ll be sure to put that on our list. What I’ve loved about your films is that fact that they’re great stories of humanity. You always feel very intimate and very close to each one of the animation in the film. Explain to me why, if I am feeling what your intending as the director for me to feel, what exactly is that. Why am I so captivated and in love with the characters. Why do I cry and why am I so excited about seeing WALL*E tonight?