Rare Steve Jobs interview appears online: His words you've never heard”
Steve Jobs Archive Releases Rare Interview With Apple Founder (photo: Getty Images)
Ahead of the 30th anniversary of "Toy Story," the Steve Jobs Archive has published a previously unseen video in which Jobs discusses Pixar.
Extended Jobs interview on technology and film
In 1996, Steve Jobs gave an extensive interview reflecting on the intersection of technology and the film industry. He mentioned companies that attempted to enter Hollywood by investing in movies but never succeeded.
According to Jobs, such firms were dubbed "Sillywood," which means companies that attracted investment but never released a product. Pixar, however, was the only example where Silicon Valley and Hollywood truly met with success.
Jobs described Pixar's "inverted hierarchy": "So I sort of feel like I work for most of these people. Because they're the ones that are doing all the brilliant work," he said. He particularly praised employees, including President Ed Catmull and director John Lasseter.
Hollywood vs. Silicon Valley: Stick and carrot
Jobs noted that Hollywood relies on the "stick" of contracts, while Silicon Valley prefers the "carrot" of stock options. Pixar chose the latter approach, which required constant effort to retain key employees. He emphasised that the company strives daily to improve so that staff don't want to leave, while acknowledging that those unwilling to stay might have to move on.
For Jobs, technology was important but not primary: "Our ambitions visually are growing as fast as the technology can feed them," he said. Yet, he believed that true legacy is created by art: "I think that people are going to be watching Toy Story in 60 years, not because of computer graphics, but because of the story, about friendship. That's something really amazing to me," Jobs stated.
Pixar’s history and plans for the future
Pixar emerged after Jobs purchased the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm and spun it off as an independent company, remaining its primary shareholder until Disney acquired it in 2006. The premiere of Toy Story 5 is scheduled for June 19, 2026, focusing on how modern devices, including iPads, are replacing traditional toys.
The Steve Jobs Archive, created in 2022 by Laurene Powell Jobs, Tim Cook, and Jony Ive, compiles Jobs' quotes, photos, videos, and letters, and also offers grants for young creators.
Apple is currently completely overhauling its iPhone release strategy following the Steve Jobs era.
Earlier, we wrote about four unfinished Steve Jobs projects and surprising facts from his life.
