Owning pets is as close to a universal phenomenon as, I think, anything. Chris Meledandri More Quotes by Chris Meledandri More Quotes From Chris Meledandri I do think we're in a period of time culturally where there is just this extraordinary connection that we have to our pets, and in many ways, they are displacing kids. They're so much simpler than dealing with a kid because of this unconditional love that does not get complicated by adolescence or any other manipulation. Chris Meledandri think complicated time love I believe people leave a theater bonding with characters. Story is the vessel that carries character. Comedy is a very important component of expressing character. Chris Meledandri comedy character believe people We start with strong characters and build the movie from there. That not to say we don't struggle with story - that's the most challenging part. Chris Meledandri story start strong struggle I don't fly by the seat of my pants. I set strategies, and then I pursue those in unrelenting fashion. Chris Meledandri seat fly pants fashion I was pulled out of school for every moratorium day and every rally for a left-wing candidate... from Ed Koch in his heyday to Eugene McCarthy. That's the culture that I came from. Chris Meledandri candidate day culture school You have to love Dr. Seuss to take on the responsibility of conveying his work in animation or any medium. Chris Meledandri you responsibility work love Ted Geisel was trying to make a statement about awareness and personal responsibility. He was very clear about that. But the ideas and themes in 'The Lorax' go beyond a love of trees. It's also a story about the dangers of greed and the power of redemption. That's what makes it a timeless tale. Chris Meledandri responsibility power love ideas Like many people, I had the powerful experience of being raised on Dr. Seuss, then becoming a parent and revisiting him with my own children. That multigenerational experience around his work is very meaningful. Chris Meledandri experience work children people I think that every enduring story that has expressions over multiple periods, that role of being the keeper of the integrity of the vision is a very important role. Chris Meledandri think vision important integrity I go back to family: 'Ice Age' was about disparate characters rejected by their own kind. They come together to save the child. 'Despicable Me' is about redefining what a family could be. It has a visual distinction and an experimental quality. Chris Meledandri me quality family age What I worry about the most is the competition for young eyeballs. We have so many other competing forms of media. I don't take any audience members for granted. Chris Meledandri competition media young worry I have to understand how we are going to market the movie. We view marketing as an extension of content creation... Every time a consumer sees our movie, in whatever form, our obligation is to entertain the audience. Chris Meledandri view understand creation time The cost of an animated film really comes down to man hours. If you gather together world-class talent, then the question becomes how do you deploy that talent in a way that minimizes waste. Chris Meledandri you man talent together I have been very fortunate since 'Ice Age' to make movies that somehow charm audiences. I think that the key to it for me has been coming up with the right ideas but, more importantly, choosing the right collaborators and artists to execute those ideas. Chris Meledandri think me age ideas This phenomenon with Betty White is so wonderfully amazing. In a world where ageism runs rampant, out of left field, all of a sudden, the country decides to celebrate Betty White, and she becomes cool at 90. That's remarkable. Chris Meledandri cool celebrate white world My experience is that there's absolutely a correlation between the enthusiasm within an animation studio for a given character and the enthusiasm the audience feels when seeing the movie. Chris Meledandri movie experience enthusiasm character In animation, what's wonderful is that when you start to work with multiple nationalities, the common language becomes a visual language rather than a spoken language, which blends beautifully with the art form. Chris Meledandri you language work art A favorite film? The first 'Ice Age' and the first 'Despicable Me.' They're the films that have introduced me to characters that I still feel extremely bonded with. Chris Meledandri first feel me age If you're going to make a movie about a character who is a supervillain, it's fantastic to have a core sense of empathy for that character. Chris Meledandri sense you empathy character In the 1960s, my father chose to introduce Italian-style clothing into a world that was filled with boxy Brooks Brothers suits. So if you were dressing in his clothes in New York or California, you were breaking a rule. And my mother, Risha, who is still living, has always been an activist. I don't think my mom has met a cause she doesn't like. Chris Meledandri you mother father world
