Pixar Animation studios are based in Emeryville California founded in August 1986. Founded by Ed Cutmill, Steve Jobs and Alvy Ray Smith. It is a wholly owned subsidery of The Walt Disney Company. In the 1970s Alexander Schare joined Ed Cuthill to try and create an animated film to a sound recording of 'Tubby the Tuba" They worked together with a team of people and although they didn't create a Tuby The Tuba but they did create some video artwork. the team to the West Coast in 1979 as part of Lucasfilm Ltd. They created a range of technical equipment including an imaging computer called 'Pixar' This proved to be a very important and high tech peice of kit it was so successful it was being used by the likes of weather forecasters and oil companies for their operations. So far the Studios have produced 14 films, Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL•E, Up, Toy Story 3, Cars 2, Brave, and Monsters University. each one proving to be a big success. Toy Story alone having won 20 awards and grossed almost $400M worldwide. My personal favourite is Monsters inc which grossed over $550M worldwide. These films, in general have the same genre, adventure and comedy aimed at a family audience all done in the CG style. The movies are purposefully designed to appeal to a very wide family audience because there is very little content that can be seen as controversial or offensive. Although Pixar animations are popular with all ages, their biggest influence is on children. Pixar's movies are notorious for creating extremely valuable franchises which incorporate a wide range of branded products which use the images of popular characters. Some products sold include soft toys, keyring, calendars and action figures. These products go a long way to re-inforce the image of the films and the the company. There aim is to create a sentimental attachment between viewers of the films (particularly children) and the characters. This is crucial to keeping the company making large sums of profit.
Pixar films on average have grossed over $602 million each. They are some of the most successful animated films of all time. Not only through profit but they have also enjoyed great critical success. Since the first Toy Story Pixar have gained 24 academy awards for there animated feature films. There are many theories that could explain Pixar's success. The artistic and high detailed CG animation on its own does not make such a giant corporation excel in the way it has. It has been suggested that the key to creating a successful, relatable and financially viable Animated feature film is telling a great story, and a great story includes a relatable character or characters who express humility, whether they are heroic, brave, kind or comedic the character must be relatable and memorable. Although just good characters are not the be all and end all. Pixar used conventional story structures which mean a protagonist character who overcomes challenges to become better or achieve a goal. Each successful chapter needs to demonstrate human qualities. Woody from Toy Story is one of the most recognisable and loved animated characters ever. Woody is a caring brave and kind hearted. To create a convincing character that people can relate to the character needs to portray another side to their personality. Woody when faced with challenges he can show selfishness, jealousy and anger. People relate to the frustration of such a likeable character creates an understanding between the film and the viewer.
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| Popular action figure character 'Woody' |
Pixar soon became one of the biggest animation studios in the world and enjoying a very quick rise to success. It is thought its secret is the way it approaches the creative process. Most animation studios employ a team of freelancers to work on a project until it is finished and then cut them loose. Pixar's philosophy is to create a team of writers, directors, animators, and technicians who stay on and work from project to project. The result, (which is proving to be an effective operation) creates a unique working environment with a team of people who trust and help each other. An important part of the way Pixar works is their critical process. The team gather in a small room to watch clips of what they have made while "drinking coffee and eating Cap'n' Crunch". Everyone is encouraged to to critique everything, frame by frame. Even the most junior members are expected to contribute to this process. with backing from notable people such as Steve Jobs. The company has risen to success since 1986.
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| Lobby of Pixar studios |
Pixar works with original ideas and have a highly skilled and experienced team of people who help deliver the very best products. Pixar practice 3 basic principles. Everyone must have the freedom to communicate with anyone. That means the leaders don't sign off on every decision, and sometimes may find themselves surprised during meetings. It must be safe for everyone to offer ideas. People at all levels are encourage to use email, for instance, to send feedback, good and bad, to the creative leaders.
Stay close to innovative ideas in academia. It publishes research and goes to industry conferences, because it thinks people are more important than ideas, and engaging with its community helps it draw the best people into their business. Which is ultimately the goal because Pixar believes without hardworking creative and original thinking people they cannot achieve the large goals that the company has set its self.
Pixar have had their premises designed in a way that people can interact and socialise so they can increase creativity by people talking to each other and to to "maximise inadvertent encounters" to increase productivity and creativity Other of the perks of being a Pixar employee are the fancy dress Halloween parties held on campus, at which John Lasseter hands out prizes for best costume. Creativity is a way of life, as proved by the employees’ customisable work spaces, some of which are themed and done up like miniature houses or Wild West saloons.
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| The Pixar studios team. In front, Steve Jobbs, Lasseter and Catmull |
