
31 segments available
After leading some of the most influential animation divisions of our time (including Dreamworks Animation and Disney), Jeffrey Katzenberg shared some of his learnings and experiences during his View From The Top session. "The idea that you can't change anything? I don't buy it."
Jeffrey Katzenberg shares his unconventional path to success, highlighting his early experiences in politics and how they shaped his career. He reflects on working for Mayor John Lindsay and the lessons learned from the streets of New York, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and the value of life experiences over formal education.
"[Music] [Applause] Hey hi Jeffrey hi don't worry we're doing good everybody's excited thank you so much for coming all the way up from LA we appreciate the visit and excited to be here we're very exci..."
In this segment, Katzenberg discusses the impactful lessons he learned during his time working for Mayor Lindsay. He describes the harsh realities of urban life and how these experiences instilled a sense of responsibility and leadership in him. He emphasizes the belief that individuals can effect change, countering the notion that one cannot alter the course of events.
"to college [Applause] [Laughter] [Applause] interesting thing that I partnered in 1994 with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen the three of us do actually do not have a college degree so of whatever th..."
Katzenberg stresses the significance of civic participation, particularly the importance of using one's voice and vote in a democracy. He calls for increased voter registration and participation in upcoming elections, asserting that these actions are crucial for shaping the future of the country and ensuring that citizens have a say in their governance.
"life were reflected in those experiences and I think they you know just served me very well and they matured me in a way and they gave me a confidence about myself I think which was you know unique an..."
Reflecting on his career shift, Katzenberg explains his desire to move from city government to the entertainment industry. He shares how he sought new challenges and found opportunities in Hollywood, where youth is valued. He recounts his early experiences at Paramount Pictures and the mentorship he received from Barry Diller, which helped shape his career.
"for you know where we are go vote [Applause] so that call to foster expression and to hear voices is that what brought you into Hollywood no I wanted no I was 22 years old and so Lindsay ran for presi..."
Katzenberg discusses the role of a studio head in fostering creativity and innovation. He emphasizes the need for an environment that allows for risk-taking and acknowledges that failure is often a part of the creative process. He shares insights on how to cultivate original storytelling in film, highlighting the balance between risk and the potential for success.
"in a in a very really sort of almost thoughtful methodical way I didn't understand it at the time but he had me work in every area of the company and so by the time I was 29 years old so I worked for ..."
In this segment, Katzenberg shares how he uses meals to bridge the gap between himself and the talent he works with. He believes that the relaxed atmosphere of dining fosters better communication and collaboration, making it easier to connect with artists and filmmakers.
"and I I get up very early in the morning I have done people may have heard I have multiple breakfast is multiple lunches multiple dinners and how about that so that's genetic thank my parents for that..."
Katzenberg emphasizes the critical role of reading in the filmmaking process. He recounts his rigorous routine of reading multiple screenplays each week, highlighting that great movies begin with great ideas. This dedication to reading is essential for identifying promising stories and talent.
"you have but so reputationally and they create mythology around you and you know coming to see me over the years it started to get to the point where it's like going to see Oz it scares you to death a..."
Katzenberg discusses the value of audience previews in the filmmaking process. He believes that observing audience reactions provides invaluable insights into what works and what doesn't in a film, allowing filmmakers to refine their stories based on genuine feedback.
"is a typical week for me when I was at Paramount is I would actually read 10 or 12 screenplays a week and I'm not a super fast reader I am dyslexic and so I actually have to read a little slow and so ..."
Reflecting on his early career, Katzenberg shares how his work ethic has evolved over time. He acknowledges the importance of work-life balance and how it contributes to personal fulfillment and professional success, emphasizing that working smarter can be as valuable as working harder.
"me and you know we had had previews of our movies we always found a great collaboration with our audience when we have a movie that was a work in progress being having that moment where a filmmaker or..."
Katzenberg reflects on his time at Disney, discussing the importance of finding balance in work and life. He shares personal anecdotes about his family and how they have shaped his perspective on success, highlighting the significance of personal relationships in a demanding career.
"anybody learns is is that you learn that working smarter sometimes has as much value as working harder and you also learn that having you know what is sort of popularly referred to as sort of work-lif..."
In this segment, Katzenberg draws parallels between his life experiences and the themes in 'The Lion King.' He discusses the importance of confronting one's truth and how this theme resonates deeply with audiences, illustrating how personal challenges can inspire powerful storytelling.
"move into the Disney years everyone has a favorite child so do you have a favorite film from that time there are different movies that have you know different so first of all the other genetic defect ..."
Katzenberg shares insights about 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,' emphasizing the film's unique storytelling approach through animation without dialogue. He reflects on the risks taken in creating this ambitious project and its significance in the evolution of animated storytelling.
"producers in early Hollywood had an expression which I love which he said you know credit you give yourself isn't worth having and so I I say that as a caveat here of the story of the Lion King is a r..."
Jeffrey Katzenberg draws parallels between Simba's journey in 'The Lion King' and his own life experiences. He reflects on the importance of confronting one's truth, sharing a personal story about a pivotal moment in his career where he had to face difficult realities. This segment emphasizes the life lesson that running from the truth is futile, and ultimately, embracing it can lead to positive outcomes.
"responsible for the death of his dad and he runs because he does not feel he can confront that truth to his mom and to his family and to his tribe and so he goes away and finds Pumbaa and Timon and Ha..."
Katzenberg discusses his film 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,' highlighting its unique storytelling approach through animation without dialogue. He reflects on the ambitious nature of the project and how it embodies his belief in optimism and determination. This segment showcases his passion for animation and the creative risks he took, despite the film's commercial failure.
"another movie I've made which probably many of you don't never know or maybe bark barely heard about which was also a reflection of something from me which is about how I feel about life I actually do..."
In this segment, Katzenberg shares a childhood memory of visiting the Central Park Zoo, illustrating how it inspired his storytelling. He contemplates the idea of animals living in comfort versus their natural habitats, drawing a connection to the themes of freedom and identity in his animated films. This personal anecdote reveals his deep emotional ties to the stories he creates.
"for me and that story specifically of spirit which is he is a character that no matter what the circumstances his optimism and his determination would not allow him to fail and that's that's me I I'm ..."
Katzenberg reflects on his time at Disney during a peak period of success, discussing the cultural impact of films like 'The Lion King' and 'Aladdin.' He candidly shares the circumstances surrounding his abrupt departure from the company, likening it to a failed marriage. This segment captures the emotional turmoil of his firing and the lessons learned from that experience.
"to kind of be on the sidelines cheerleading them helping them realize those things was just very exciting but you know I I made 406 live-action movies when I say I made they were made while I was you ..."
In this segment, Katzenberg elaborates on the regret he feels regarding the manner of his firing from Disney. He discusses the public nature of the event and the subsequent lawsuit, expressing a desire for a more dignified separation. This reflection highlights the personal and professional challenges he faced during a tumultuous time in his career.
"for the Disney Company today we had number one of every single place that we produced for which is pretty much across the entire spectrum of things that are around entertainment and culture I got fire..."
Katzenberg shares how he quickly transitioned from being fired to founding DreamWorks. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and the excitement of starting anew. This segment illustrates his optimistic outlook and ability to turn challenges into opportunities, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit.
"moment in time in which I was doing my job as well as I'd ever done it before and and at the time it was incredibly public and incredibly ugly and very personal and very nasty and it resulted in a law..."
In this segment, Katzenberg discusses his love for starting over and the opportunities it brings. He reflects on his career transitions and how each new beginning has led to greater success. This perspective on change and reinvention highlights his adaptability and enthusiasm for new ventures.
"days yes but I just hear so much love for the films and the people involved at Disney and just I really appreciate that you shared all of that with us and but you did you turned right around and took ..."
Katzenberg describes his approach to assembling a team for his new venture, likening it to a casting process. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration in building a successful team. This segment reveals his strategic mindset and commitment to fostering talent in the entertainment industry.
"better and so when Comcast showed up a year and a half ago I thought I would my third act was gonna be doing you know another 10 years of DreamWorks and making number 407 and 42 and and at first it wa..."
Katzenberg shares his philosophy on assembling a team for his new venture, Wonder Co. He highlights the significance of human capital and mentorship in building successful businesses, drawing inspiration from his past experiences with notable mentors like Barry Diller and John Malone.
"thing was better for my employees because they would be part of this two hundred billion dollar company I have more job security and more resources and these are people had been with me for a long tim..."
In this segment, Katzenberg emphasizes the value of human capital in entrepreneurship. He discusses how Wonder Co is structured to provide exceptional resources and support for businesses, showcasing the importance of having a strong team to drive innovation and success.
"well again I you know one of the recurring things for me over the years is I've always had great mentors as I talked about Barry Diller but Michael Iseman it was a great mentor again we were together ..."
Katzenberg outlines the evolution of communication technologies, from text to photography, and now to video. He discusses how each phase has transformed industries and anticipates that video will be the next major wave, revolutionizing how we interact with technology and media.
"in a place like that we got some of and so to have that as sort of the resource because when I look at Barry Diller and John Malone that's what they've done they have found companies around ideas and ..."
In this insightful segment, Katzenberg explores the potential of video in e-commerce. He predicts that the application of video will revolutionize how consumers engage with products, enhancing the shopping experience and creating new opportunities for businesses.
"evolutionary if not revolutionary part of of our world today and I'll try and maybe translate that which is if you go back maybe I don't know 1214 years ago everybody was on a thing called an X tell m..."
Katzenberg discusses the future of retail and e-commerce, emphasizing how video will play a crucial role in transforming consumer experiences. He believes that the integration of video will lead to significant advancements in how products are marketed and sold.
"so like literally the ability of all of us in any of us and everyone of us to use text against those seven verticals today is honestly as easy as putting one foot in front of another so then about fiv..."
In this segment, Katzenberg highlights the collaborative spirit of Wonder Co, mentioning key partnerships and the unique blend of talent from Northern and Southern California. He expresses his ambitious vision for the company and the exciting potential of their new venture.
"verticals and you're seeing what happens when people come along and come up with the application of putting these things to these two things together so two perfect examples of it are snapchat right a..."
Katzenberg shares his long-standing relationship with Meg Whitman and how her expertise will contribute to their new venture, 'New TV.' He reflects on their shared vision and the potential for their collaboration to create something extraordinary in the media landscape.
"incredible vision you seem to have pretty boundless ambition for what's to come and Meg Whitman is obviously gonna lend a huge amount of experience well it's a perfect example I've known Meg for thirt..."
Katzenberg explores the transformative potential of video in e-commerce, comparing its evolution from text to images and now to video. He emphasizes how video can enhance the shopping experience by engaging consumers emotionally and visually, predicting a significant shift in retail dynamics over the next five to seven years.
"you know I think we're at the beginning at the beginning of the third wave but I actually think that you know when you could just you know you just imagine what the application is let me give you just..."
Reflecting on his successful partnership with Steven Spielberg and David Geffen, Katzenberg shares insights on the value of complementary skills in a team. He describes how their distinct roles—dreamer, entrepreneur, and builder—allowed them to thrive together, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in creative endeavors.
"the application of video just that one now we go to the other verticals and I think it'll be as impactful I Mario yeah we can hear you I'm an MBA one and my question is what you learned from your part..."
Katzenberg recounts the pivotal moment after being fired from Disney, when he received encouragement from Spielberg and Zemeckis to start his own studio. This segment highlights the importance of resilience and seizing opportunities in the face of adversity, ultimately leading to the creation of DreamWorks.
"and good to do and even for me who had had you know amazing success before we came to that partnership I always felt deferential and even on our animated movies you know I would always bring Stephen i..."
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, Katzenberg describes his initiative to organize a telethon that united entertainers across the nation. He reflects on the emotional impact of this event, which brought together the country in a moment of shared healing and solidarity, showcasing the power of entertainment in times of crisis.
"good idea [Laughter] literally that was the moment so we're almost out of time to close I would ask you to dig the reminiscence gene just one more chorus onstage at the end the day of the September 11..."