Andrew Stanton
Discover the creative journey, filmmaking philosophy, key works, and inspiring quotes of Andrew Stanton (born December 3, 1965), the American director, writer, and animator behind Pixar classics such as Finding Nemo, WALL-E, and Finding Dory.
Introduction: Who Is Andrew Stanton?
Andrew Ayers Stanton (born December 3, 1965) is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, and animator. Pixar Animation Studios, where he directed and co-wrote the beloved animated films Finding Nemo (2003), WALL-E (2008), and Finding Dory (2016) John Carter) and continues to contribute to both animated and live storytelling projects.
Stanton’s work is admired for its emotional depth, inventive storytelling, and commitment to characters who resonate with audiences of all ages.
Early Life, Family & Formation
Andrew Stanton was born in Rockport, Massachusetts
As a child, he was drawn to storytelling and film. He participated in acting and sketch comedy during high school, and even made Super 8 films with friends.
Stanton first enrolled at the University of Hartford, but soon transferred into the character animation program at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), from which he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
He married his high school sweetheart, Julie, in 1989 (two weeks after her graduation)
He has acknowledged being diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during his work on John Carter, which he says impacted his process and perspective.
Stanton is also a Christian, and he sometimes integrates spiritual reflections into how he views storytelling.
Additionally, he is an Arsenal F.C. fan, and has referenced this interest in subtle ways in his works.
Career & Achievements
Joining Pixar & Early Work
In 1990, Stanton became one of the early employees of Pixar’s animation division — in fact, the second animator after John Lasseter and the ninth member overall in the group.
At that time, Pixar was not yet producing full feature films; its animation group focused on commercials and technology development.
Stanton contributed to story development for Toy Story (1995), A Bug’s Life, Monsters, Inc., and other early Pixar films. His input and narrative instincts were key in shaping Pixar’s emergent storytelling voice.
Breakthrough as Director
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Finding Nemo (2003)
Stanton both directed and co-wrote this celebrated film. Finding Nemo won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. -
WALL-E (2008)
Stanton directed and co-wrote WALL-E, which won him another Oscar for Best Animated Feature. The film is praised for its emotional storytelling with minimal dialogue and compelling character arcs. -
Finding Dory (2016)
He directed and co-wrote the sequel to Finding Nemo, bringing characters back to life while exploring themes of memory, family, and identity.
Besides these, Stanton directed John Carter (2012), a live-action adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Barsoom series for Disney. Although ambitious, the film faced critical and financial challenges, but Stanton’s industry reputation allowed him to continue creative work.
He is also involved in new projects: the upcoming animated Toy Story 5 (2026) is slated to be directed and co-written by him. In the Blink of an Eye for Searchlight Pictures.
Style, Philosophy & Influence
Stanton is known for:
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Emotional clarity and urgency: His stories often begin with a strong emotional premise (e.g. Finding Nemo: paternal love, WALL-E: isolation and care) and build with narrative stakes.
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Story excavation: He describes writing as digging — uncovering what is there, not imposing it.
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Collaboration & feedback culture: Stanton emphasizes surrounding himself with collaborators who are smarter and more talented, and encourages constructive criticism in creative processes.
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Risk and innovation: He is cautious about sequels, preferring stories that feel inherently worth continuing.
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Iterative improvement: Stanton favors continual refinement (comparable to kaizen) in scripts and scenes, even during production.
Stanton has offered public reflections on how Pixar operates: “Working at Pixar you learn the really honest, hard way of making a great movie, which is to surround yourself with people who are much smarter than you … incite constructive criticism.”
Famous Quotes of Andrew Stanton
Here are several notable quotes attributed to Andrew Stanton:
“The greatest story commandment is: Make me care.”
“Use what you know. Draw from it. It doesn’t always mean plot or fact. It means capturing a truth from your experiencing it, expressing values you personally feel deep down in your core.”
“Working at Pixar you learn the really honest, hard way of making a great movie … you’ll get a much better movie out of it.”
“Art is messy, art is chaos – so you need a system.”
“I'm a family man, I have kids, and I go to the movies. And I'm just going to make the kind of movie I want to see.”
“If you're trying to do multiple agendas, you'll confuse yourself as a storyteller. If you have one purpose, everything else will fall into place.”
“I never think about the audience. If someone gives me a marketing report, I throw it away.”
These quotes reflect his commitment to emotional resonance, clarity of vision, and integrity in storytelling.
Lessons & Insights from Andrew Stanton’s Career
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Start with emotional truth
Stanton’s principle “Make me care” underscores that no amount of technical brilliance or plot complexity substitutes emotional connection. -
Build a strong creative team
He believes in surrounding yourself with people smarter and more talented, and inviting rigorous feedback as essential to better work. -
Iterate boldly, even late
His notion of constant refinement—even reworking scenes mid-production—shows trust in improvement over inertia. -
Respect story focus
By resisting multiple agendas and focusing on a central purpose, narratives avoid fragmentation. -
Balance risk with integrity
Though cautious about sequels, he also takes creative risks (e.g. WALL-E, John Carter) when the story demands it. -
Stay grounded to what you love
Stanton’s decisions often echo his own tastes, curiosities, and emotional sensibilities, rather than external formulas.
Legacy & Cultural Impact
Andrew Stanton has helped define a generation of animated storytelling. His films are both commercially successful and artistically ambitious. WALL-E is often cited for its daring minimalism, thematic depth, and environmental resonance. His influence extends into how Pixar and other studios approach character, theme, and tone.
He remains an active voice in industry conversation, mentoring writers, speaking publicly (e.g. his TED talk “The Clues to a Great Story”), and participating in both animation and live-action projects.
Stanton's integration of heart and craft continues to inspire filmmakers, animators, and storytellers who seek to combine emotional impact with imaginative storytelling.