Infinity and Beyond: Pixar Animation Studios

"Not everyone can become a great artist but a great artist can come from anywhere."

Pixar began as computer division of George Lucas' Lucasfilm. Under the leadership of John Lasseter, a visionary animator who had been fired by Disney Studios in 1984 over perceived costs for Lasseter's take on The Brave Little Toaster, the animation department aspired to create the first feature-length computer-animated film. However, Lucas deemed Lasseter's dream financially unfeasible and abandoned the company. With funding from Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, Lasseter and his team created the innovative process behind one of the most profitable film mediums today. Toy Story, the first full-length film of its kind, was promptly met with unanimous praise from audiences and film critics on top of astonishing financial success.

Famous for its repertoire of critically acclaimed, award-winning, and emotionally resonant films, Pixar Animation Studios takes inspiration from classic hand-drawn animation and the films of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. Pixar films are seldom lacking in creativity or heart as the team of writers and animators stand by the policy to put story at the forefront before conquering the technical challenges associated with the ever-evolving medium.

Pixar films are rife with references to other Pixar films, as well as voice cameos and visual nods to Pixar staff members. Cheers star John Ratzenberger lends his voice to minor characters in every Pixar film to date. CalArts classroom A113, where Lasseter and Pixar-director-turned-executive Brad Bird studied character animation, is also visually or audibly referenced in nearly every single Pixar movie.

Through its tumultuous history with parent corporation the Walt Disney Company, and box office competition from lesser imitators, Pixar Animation Studios remains the premiere computer animation production studio, continuing to consistently produce hit after quality crowd-pleasing hit.