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Pixar Director Pete Docter Sends Inspirational Letter to Middle School

by Ethan Anderton
July 31, 2012
Source: Movies.com

It's easy to look at filmmakers who are household names and just see them as successful, but it should not be forgotten that at some point in their life, they were struggling with launching their career. It's those stories that serve as the real inspiration for aspiring filmmakers today, and that's something of which Pixar director Pete Docter is very aware. So when middle school teacher Martin Kelsey wrote the director of such hit films as Up and Monsters Inc. and asked for any advice that he might have to pass on in order to mold the young minds in his class. In admirable and inspiring fashion, Docter sent a letter for the students.

Here's the letter Docter sent, and as you can see he brought a couple friends with him (via Movies.com):

If you find that image a little too difficult to read, you can read the text in its entirety over at Letters of Note. Honestly, I love this story, since it shows that even when you're at one of the best schools in the country for your passion, you might not be the best in your class. But it's passion, hard work and dedication that will get you what you want. Obviously some talent helps, but that may not even become clear to you until well into your college years, or even later. There might be someone else out there who needs this kind of pep talk in order to stick to their guns and follow their heart to their dream job. Thanks for all the inspiration, Pete!

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Reader Feedback - 8 Comments

Lots more of this here: http://theanimatorlettersproject.com/

Paul on Jul 31, 2012

Wow that's really nice of him to do that. Love the simple and honest facts of that letter.

nate on Jul 31, 2012

I find it a bit Creepy that Pixar are now writing to schools.

Carpola on Jul 31, 2012

Creepy? Care to explain yourself?

Ethan Anderton on Jul 31, 2012

I dunno Ethan, I think you forget Pixar is a giant company, it's not just some guys making films in their basement. They sell countless products to children already via many different outlets. A bit like how their friends Coca-Cola put drinks machines in schools.

Carpola on Jul 31, 2012

I don't get how that's creepy in any way... I think there's a difference between distributing your product in schools and writing an inspiratinoal letter to students (motivating them to work hard for what they love) in response to a request of a teacher...

mattydamon on Aug 1, 2012

i see it as someone who made it projecting his inspirations to those who have yet to try. i find nothing creepy about any of this.

rockkicker on Aug 1, 2012

I think I might just hate Pixar.

Carpola on Aug 1, 2012

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