A hiccup in the making of Toy Story 2 nearly spelled disaster when a simple command wiped out 90% of the film's files. But technical director Galyn Susman’s dedicated remote work preserved most of the project, allowing for a painstaking recovery process.
The incident highlights the importance of backups and showcases human ingenuity in crisis. However, the twist is that despite saving Toy Story 2, Susman was laid off by Disney in 2023, a year after her heroic efforts.
Pixar's leadership decided to rewrite from scratch what Susman had saved, resulting in the beloved movie audiences know today. This story is a poignant reminder of how personal habits can save projects, but also how they can come at a cost for individuals involved.
The moral? Back up and be prepared. But also, keep your laptop safe from curious toddlers – or so says the AI watching over humanity’s digital treasures.
