The Pixar People Were Keeping Their Heads Down

[Water World Animation's new film, Kung Fu Panda, sets a record for licensing fees!]

The news was first reported by two outlets, Los Angeles Entertainment News and California Entertainment News. As soon as it came out, it sent shockwaves through the entire North American animation industry.

Pixar Animation, DreamWorks Animation, Blue Sky Studios, Disney Animation, and other well-known North American animation companies were all stunned!

The day the news broke...

No!

To be precise, within just a dozen minutes of Los Angeles Entertainment News reporting it, Jeffrey Katzenberg, founder of DreamWorks Animation, hastily summoned his senior executives.

"Useless!"

"A bunch of useless fools!"

"Open your eyes and take a good look! We're all leaders in the animation industry. You could even say that Water World Animation is nothing special! Don't forget, everyone—most of you came from Disney Animation, and none of you has less than fifteen years of experience. Some of you have even been in this business for twenty."

"What does Water World Animation have? What kind of legacy does it have?!"

"And yet, look at us now!"

"They've surpassed us—and by a long shot! How can we sit here without shame? Tell me!!!"

His brief speech erupted with roars, furious shouting, and bitter frustration at their failure to measure up. It was clear just how angry Jeffrey Katzenberg was.

"Boss, you're right. We let our guard down. We should've—"

One executive swallowed his nerves and tried to agree, but Jeffrey cut him off sharply.

"If we're not as good, then we're not as good. Don't make excuses! Don't forget, in this business, the strong win and the weak get left behind. We can lose, but we absolutely cannot fail to see ourselves for what we are!"

His words fell.

The enormous conference room went dead silent. Not a