What it does: It develops computer-animated feature films which consistently achieve worldwide commercial success. It has also developed the Pixar Image Computer to improve graphics technology and render high-resolution three-dimensional color images.
Mission: to combine proprietary technology and world-class creative talent to develop computer-oriented feature films with memorable characters and heartwarming stories that appeal to audiences of all ages.
Size and presence: Over 1,233 employees are working for the animation studio and as of 2019, its feature films have earned around $14 billion globally.
Best known for: its critically and commercially successful computer-animated feature films. It is also known for using Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) animation for creating animated or still visual content.
The good bits: For many animators, getting a job at Pixar is like a dream come true as the studio offers great career opportunities for both graduates and interns. Moreover, it attracts and appreciates the most creative minds, and the projects are quite interesting.
The not-so-good bits: Pixar produces feature-length films that are known for their visual innovations and emotional storytelling. As it requires technical skills, creative minds, and expertise in the field, getting a job at the studio can be extremely challenging.
Pixar Animation Studios or Pixar is an American computer animation studio that was formed in 1979 as part of the Lucasfilm computer division Graphics Group. The studio is based in Emeryville, California, and is a subsidiary of Walt Disney Studios. The studio began with funding from Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and he also became its majority shareholder. In 2006, Disney purchased Pixar for $7.4+ billion by converting each share of Pixar stock to 2.3 shares of Disney stock.
Pixar was started in 1974 when Alexander Schure, the New York Institute of Technology’s (NYIT) founder formed the Computer Graphics Lab (CGL). He recruited computer scientists for creating the world’s first computer-animated film. Edwin Catmull and Malcolm Blanchard were the first to be hired, followed by Alvy Ray Smith and David DiFrancesco.
Pixar is known for its feature films that are powered by RenderMan Interface Specification image-rendering API. Beginning with Toy Story in 1995, the studio has produced 26 feature films. Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated animated feature film. The most recent release from the studio was Lightyear (2022). Apart from feature films, the studio has also produced many short films.
Some of the popular and highest-grossing films of all time include Toy Story 3 (2010), Finding Dory (2016), Incredibles 2 (2018), and Toy Story 4 (2019). For its work and giving such huge hits, Pixar has earned 23 Academy Awards, 11 Grammy Awards, and 10 Golden Globe Awards.
Pixar has a creative culture where everything is done with a systematic approach and it trusts smart people over processes and ideas. Employees can freely talk to anyone and all ideas are welcome. Being an animation studio, it offers a fun work environment to all employees where they can work freely and come up with great ideas.
The studio is committed to building a more diverse workforce through university outreach, community events, conferences, etc. The SparkShorts program is designed to find nee storytellers while Co-Op Program allows the employees to produce personal film projects.
The Studio Resource Groups are designed to build and sustain a culture of inclusion and a diverse community.
Pixar employs the best and getting a job at the studio is notoriously difficult. The typical hiring process at Pixar may take an average of 6 to 9 weeks. Applicants can expect phone interviews, in-person interviews, and assessments.
The interview process is not an easy one and there are several rounds of interviews, including a telephonic round and in-personal interviews. A Psychometric test is required for certain technical positions as it helps to measure candidates’ abilities and skills.
Some job roles may also require common pre-employment tests while others have just a few rounds of interviews.
Planning to make a career at Pixar? The studio offers many opportunities to deserving candidates at different levels. However, the studio looks for a mix of creativity and technical excellence to create a workforce that can make great films.
Interested candidates can visit Pixar’s official website to check job listings and see what suits them best. Some important job roles include Technical Direction, Software Research & Development, Education & Training, Animation, Camera Person, and Systems.
Apart from full-time and part-time jobs, Pixar also provides internship programs for students and recent graduates. They can be a part of areas like Art, Animation, Business Operations, Editorial, Production Management, Renderman, Software Research & Development, Story, Direction, etc.
Classroom-based internships include a twelve-week summer Animation course, a twelve-week summer course for visual storytelling, a twelve-week summer course in technical direction, and a twelve-week course for cinematic language and techniques.
The average estimated annual salary (base and bonus) at Pixar Animation Studies is $117,525, or $56 per hour. Whereas the estimated median salary of employees working at Pixar is $117,006, or $56 per hour.
The highest remuneration at Pixar is received by the Director of Sales who gets around $209,810 per year. However, the lowest-paid job at the studio is a Customer Support Representative who gets around $46,424 per year.
Paid Holidays / Vacations
Paid Sick Leave
Life, Vision, and Disability Insurance
Flex Spending Account
Health Club Memberships
Housing Assistance
Social, Educational, ad Civic Programs
Apart from promoting an inclusive culture within the studio, Pixar also tries to be inclusive in its local community. The studio invests in organizations and charitable trusts focused on giving people visibility and resources. Pixar’s charitable mission supports local schools and organizations with the main focus on under-represented people in the fields of Technology, Engineering, Science, Arts, Mathematics, etc.
Employees as well as interns are encouraged to take part in community activities by volunteering their time. Pixar is also a partner of the Oakland Public Education Fund’s Adopt in which the employees invest in student outcomes by sharing real-world knowledge and experiences.
In a recent controversy, Disney was accused of removing same-sex affection or gay content from Pixar films. The accusation came from Pixar employees after the company refused to take any stand against the ‘Don’t Say Gay bill. A letter from a group of Pixar employees claimed that Disney executives have barred gay affection content from films before they are released.