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Data Backup · Film Production · Operational Risk · Pixar
In 1998, a Pixar employee accidentally deleted the entire Toy Story 2 film files using an 'rm -r -f *' command, prompting a frantic recovery effort led by Oren Jacob and Galyn Susman, who ultimately retrieved a two-week-old backup from Susman's home computer, saving the project.
This incident, resurfaced as fans anticipate the spin-off movie Lightyear, highlights the critical importance of robust data backup protocols and the resilience of Pixar's team. Despite the recovery, bosses deemed the original film not good enough, leading to a complete remake of most animation, layout, and lighting within nine months, adding new characters like Buster and the opening explosion sequence.
This period tested Pixar's company culture, as stated by Jacob. Susman, who played a pivotal role in saving the film, now produces the upcoming Lightyear movie, set for release in June 2022, with Chris Evans voicing the lead.
Pixar's next film, Turning Red, will release exclusively on Disney+.
