Focus Groups. Market Research. They're part of the oppposing side of a never-ending battle fought by designers. Very few have found commercial success while being able to stand their ground creatively.  Pixar Animation Studios is one of them.

According to a recent article in the Times, Wall Street and toy manufacturers are concerned about the commercial prospects of "Up," the studio's newest film. Despite Pixar's spotless track record, many "industry watchers" (greedy shareholders?) are complaining because "[they] doubt younger boys will be that excited by the main character and the the lack of a female lead." Meanwhile, retailers see slim merchandising opportunities from the lead cast of characters.

In the midst of these ridiculous "analyses", I find it truly commendable that Pixar is continuing to just do their thing — to make the movies they want to make, regardless of potential for peddling cheap Happy Meal plastics (seems like these critics didn't bother to pay attention during Wall-E).

Robert Iger, Disney’s chief executive, said it best: “A check-the-boxes approach to creativity is more likely to result in blandness and failure.” It's the kind of thinking that has ruined many big studios.

These days, it's rare to see any organization show this kind of boldness, especially in such a high-level player as Pixar. Kudos.

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