Mike Jones shares journey from indie film to Pixar at IndieWire summit

Mike Jones, co-writer of Pixar's "Soul" and creator of the upcoming series "Dream Productions," shared his unexpected journey to animation at IndieWire's Future of Filmmaking summit. Initially focused on independent film, he aimed for success at the Sundance Film Festival but faced challenges. Despite his early aspirations, Jones found a place at Pixar, where he worked on major films like "Incredibles 2" and "Toy Story 4." He noted that Pixar values writers with strong storytelling skills over traditional animation backgrounds, allowing him to create complex characters. Jones encouraged artists to embrace unexpected career paths, reflecting on how his own journey diverged from his original plans. He expressed satisfaction with his current role at Pixar, highlighting the studio's commitment to unique storytelling.