Pixar Animation Studios

Overview

Pixar Animation Studios is the computer animation studio that fundamentally transformed the animated film industry. Founded in 1986, Pixar developed the technology and creative processes that made computer-generated feature animation commercially viable, then produced a run of critically acclaimed and commercially dominant films unmatched in animation history. The studio operates from a purpose-built campus in Emeryville, California, and functions as a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company following Disney's acquisition in 2006.

Pixar's campus was designed by Steve Jobs (who funded the company during its early years) to encourage cross-departmental collaboration. The building's central atrium forces employees from different departments to encounter each other, reflecting the studio's belief that creative breakthroughs emerge from unplanned interactions between artists, technologists, and storytellers.

History

Pixar originated as the computer graphics division of Lucasfilm, founded by Ed Catmull and Alvy Ray Smith. Steve Jobs purchased the division from George Lucas in 1986 for $5 million and funded the company through years of losses as it developed rendering technology and produced short films and commercials.

The studio's breakthrough came with Toy Story (1995), the first fully computer-animated feature film, produced in partnership with Disney. Toy Story earned $373 million worldwide and launched a creative and commercial dynasty. Subsequent releases formed one of the most remarkable winning streaks in film history: A Bug's Life (1998), Toy Story 2 (1999), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), The Incredibles (2004), Cars (2006), Ratatouille (2007), WALL-E (2008), Up (2009), Toy Story 3 (2010), Inside Out (2015), Coco (2017), and Soul (2020).

Disney acquired Pixar in 2006 for $7.4 billion, and Ed Catmull and John Lasseter assumed leadership of both Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Under this arrangement, Pixar maintained its independent creative culture while gaining the resources and distribution infrastructure of Disney.

Creative Process

Pixar's production process differs from most animation studios in several key ways:

• Story-first development -- films undergo extensive story development with multiple complete rewrites before animation begins. The Pixar "Brain Trust" (a group of senior directors and writers) provides candid feedback throughout development.
• Director-driven projects -- each film is shaped by a director's personal vision and creative obsessions. Up reflects Pete Docter's interest in adventure and loss. Coco reflects Lee Unkrich's fascination with Mexican culture and family.
• Technology as storytelling tool -- Pixar develops new rendering, simulation, and animation technologies for each film, driven by the specific visual needs of the story rather than technology for its own sake.
• Long development timelines -- a typical Pixar feature takes four to six years from concept to release.

What Filmmakers Should Know

Pixar develops projects internally rather than acquiring pitches or scripts from outside creators. The studio's development process begins with director-generated concepts that are refined through the Brain Trust feedback system. Employment at Pixar is the primary pathway to contributing to the studio's features.

The studio recruits animators, technical directors, story artists, and other specialists through its website and industry recruitment events. Pixar's internship programs provide entry points for students and early-career professionals.

For the broader animation community, Pixar's open research publications and presentations at SIGGRAPH and other technical conferences share innovations in rendering, simulation, and production pipeline design that benefit the entire industry.

See Also

For understanding how animation production costs and timelines work, see Budget Breakdown for Independent Films. For technical context on frame rates and rendering, use the Frame Rate Calculator.