Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull says AI can change the economics of filmmaking, while the right creative team size remains a separate question.
A small team and a rich story
In an independent 2024 interview, Catmull said one or two talented people could make impressive work with generative AI. He also argued that a rich film can benefit from the contributions of many people.
Cheaper technology and a larger pool of people who know the tools lower the barrier to making something. They do not by themselves determine the best creative team structure.
Costs and team size
Catmull recalled studio films involving roughly 300 dedicated people. He described an estimate of about 100 as his own intuition, not a measured optimum. In his view, larger teams can be harder to redirect, while very small ones may offer fewer perspectives.
These observations are not a budget forecast for a particular film. The necessary crew and cost depend on the story, division of work and tools.
