The Braintrust

The Braintrust is a collaborative decision-making approach often used in creative industries, particularly at Pixar Animation Studios. It involves a group of trusted individuals—usually a mix of experienced and diverse talents—who provide honest feedback and insights on projects. This group meets regularly to review work, identify potential challenges, and suggest improvements. The goal is to enhance the final product by leveraging collective expertise and perspectives, fostering a culture of openness and continuous improvement while avoiding the pitfalls of hierarchy and ego. The feedback is candid but meant to support and elevate the project's quality.