Pixar: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Pixar Animation Studios

Type	Public (NASDAQ: PIXR)
Founded	December 9, 1985
Location	Emeryville, California, USA
Key people	Steve Jobs, Chairman/CEO Ed Catmull, President John Lasseter, Vice President, Creative
Industry	CGI animation
Website	pixar.com

Pixar Animation Studios NASDAQ: PIXR is an award-winning computer generated imagery (CGI) animation firm based in Emeryville, California (USA).

Though best known for its production of computer-animated feature films, Pixar also develops and markets high-end 3D computer graphics technology. Most notably, Pixar is the developer of the industry-standard rendering software RenderMan, which is used to generate high-quality, photorealistic images.

History

Early history

Pixar was founded as the computer division of Lucasfilm. It was purchased by current Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs and the employees of the division for US$10 million in 1986, thereby establishing itself as an independent company. The sale reflected George Lucas' desire to see Pixar succeed on its own; within Lucasfilm, Pixar had long been overshadowed by Industrial Light & Magic, the world-famous Lucasfilm group focused on special effects. The newly independent company was headed by Dr. Edwin Catmull, President and CEO, and Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, Executive Vice President and Director. Jobs served as Chairman of the Board.

Initially, Pixar was a high-end hardware company whose core product was the Pixar Image Computer, a system which was primarily sold to government agencies and the medical community. The Image Computer never sold well. In a bid to drive sales of the system, Pixar employee John Lasseter began creating short animations, such as Luxo Jr., to demonstrate its power. His creations premiered at SIGGRAPH, the computer graphics industry's largest convention.

Business in transition

As poor sales of Pixar's computers threatened to put the company out of business, Lasseter's animation department began producing computer-animated commercials for outside companies. Early successes included campaigns for Tropicana, Listerine, and LifeSavers. During this period, Pixar began a relationship with Walt Disney Feature Animation, a studio whose corporate parent would ultimately become its most important partner. Pixar was a key technical participant in the development of Disney's CAPS, a computer-assisted animation post-production software system. In 1991, after substantial layoffs in the company's computer department, Pixar made a $26,000,000 deal with Walt Disney Studios to produce computer-animated feature films, the first of which was Toy Story. Pixar was re-incorporated on December 9, 1995.

Disney and Pixar

All of Pixar's major features thus far have been made in collaboration with Walt Disney Pictures. All aspects of production, including writing, development, animation production, and post-production, have been handled in-house by Pixar, while production costs have been split between the two companies. Disney has handled all aspects of distribution and has borne all costs related to distribution and promotion. In 1997, after the release of Pixar's first feature-length film, Toy Story, the two companies signed a 10-year, 5-picture deal evenly splitting production costs and profits on subsequent movies. Reflecting the media giant's clout at the time the agreement was signed, Disney alone retained rights to the films and characters. In addition, Disney collects 10 to 15 percent of each film's revenue as a distribution fee. [1]

The arrangement has been very profitable for both companies. Pixar's five feature films have collectively grossed more than $2.5 billion, equivalent to the highest per-film average gross in the industry. Pixar and Disney's distribution and financing relationship is scheduled to end in 2006 after the release of the film Cars. Contentious negotiations to extend the relationship have been ongoing for more than two years. After a lengthy hiatus, talks recently resumed following the departure of Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner from Disney.

Pixar and Disney have had ongoing disagreements since the production of Toy Story 2. Originally intended as a straight-to-video release (and thus not part of Pixar's five picture deal), the film was upgraded to a theatrical release during production. Pixar demanded that the film then be counted toward the five picture agreement, but Disney refused.

The two companies attempted to reach a new agreement in early 2004. The new deal would be only for distribution, as Pixar intended to control production and own the resulting film properties themselves. As part of any distribution agreement with Disney, Pixar demanded control over films already in production under their old agreement, including The Incredibles and Cars. More importantly, Pixar wanted complete financial freedom; they wanted to finance their films on their own and collect 100 percent of the profits, paying Disney only the 10 to 15 percent distribution fee. This was unacceptable to Disney, but Pixar would not concede.

Pixar is currently looking for a new company to distribute its films, and many other firms are eager suitors. Disney retains the rights to all films under the five picture agreement and can make sequels to them. It has begun production of Toy Story 3, without Pixar's involvement. As of December 2005, Pixar has yet to reach an agreement with another party since most other distributors have also found the terms unacceptable.

Robert Iger, the president and new CEO of the Walt Disney Company, has resumed talks with Steve Jobs, stating he hopes the two companies can find "common ground." It has also been rumored that either Disney or Pixar delayed the release of Cars from its original 2005 release date in order to buy time to negotiate after Eisner left Disney.

Disney's acquisition of Pixar

On January 24, 2006, Disney announced that it had agreed to buy Pixar for around $7.4 billion in an all-stock deal. The deal makes Steve Jobs Disney's largest individual shareholder. Jobs originally purchased 50 percent of the company for US $10 million.

Today, Jobs continues in his role as chairman, and is also the company's CEO. Catmull remains president. Lasseter —a two-time Academy Award-winning director and animator— oversees all of the company's projects as Executive Vice President of the Creative Department. Other notable members of the executive team are Sarah McArthur (Executive Vice President of Production), Simon Bax (Executive Vice President and CFO), and Lois Scali (Executive Vice President and General Counsel).

• Toy Story (1995)
• A Bug's Life (1998)
• Toy Story 2 (1999) (Originally slated as a direct-to-video film, Disney concluded this film did not count towards the '5 picture' contract when it was released in theatres)
• Monsters, Inc. (2001)
• Finding Nemo (2003, Academy Award winner 2004)
• The Incredibles (2004, Academy Award winner 2005)
• Cars (scheduled for release in June 2006)
• Ratatouille (scheduled for release in 2007)

A movie called Ray Gun was rumored to be released by Pixar in 2007, but latest reports indicate that this will be a 2D feature which Pixar has no interest in developing. Currently Warner Brothers owns the rights to develop this film.

There are several things that Pixar puts in every one of their feature films.

John Ratzenberger

Main article: John Ratzenberger

John Ratzenberger (most widely known as the character Clifford Clavin from the television sitcom Cheers) is always a character voice, referred to by the studio as their "good luck charm". The following is a list of his roles in the first seven Pixar movies:

• Toy Story - Hamm (a piggy bank)
• A Bug's Life - P.T. Flea (the manager of a travelling insect circus)
• Toy Story 2 - Hamm (a piggy bank)
• Monsters, Inc. - The Abominable Snowman (a yeti)
• Finding Nemo - a school of moonfish
• The Incredibles - The Underminer (A Supervillain)
• Cars - a Mack truck named Mack

He also voiced a character in the English dub of Spirited Away, overseen by John Lasseter. Actor Wallace Shawn also appears in multiple Pixar Films.

Despite his recurring role as Hamm in the Toy Story movies, it is known that John is more loyal to Pixar than the movie series, as he has refused to play Hamm in Toy Story 3.

Cameo appearances

Every Pixar film has included cameo appearances of characters or objects from their other movies or short films.

Examples:

• Toy Story - During the staff meeting at the beginning of the movie, some of the books on the shelf behind Woody are named after some of Pixar's short films, such as "Tin Toy" and "Knick Knack".
• Toy Story 2 - When Hamm is flipping through the channels, many of Pixar's short films, including Pixar's old logo, were briefly represented. Geri (from the short Geri's Game) appears as the toy cleaner. There are "A Bug's Life" toys in Al's Toy Barn. Also, in that movie when Mr. Potato Head found Mrs. Potato Head's earring, Mrs. was reading "A Bug's Life" book. In one of the outtakes during the end credits, Flik and Heimlich from "A Bug's Life" are accidentally swatted by Buzz, who doesn't see them.
• A Bug's Life - A Pizza Planet cup from Toy Story is seen above the bar as Flik enters.
• Monsters Inc. - Boo shows Sulley her Jesse doll (from Toy Story 2) and a Nemo toy. In the same scene, a toy ball from the Luxo Jr short. Also, the trailer where Randall becomes trapped appears to be the one from "A Bug's Life". In one of the outtakes during the closing credits, Rex from Toy Story is seen auditioning for a part of the large monster (known as 'Ted') that Mike and Sully meet while crossing the street on the way to work in the beginning of the movie.
• Finding Nemo - A Buzz Lightyear action figure can be seen in the dentist's waiting room. Also, a patient can be seen reading a Mr. Incredible comic book. Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc. can been seen during the end credits swimming through the ocean, a Pizza Planet truck from "Toy Story" can be seen. In addition, Boo's moblie from Monsters Inc. in the dentist's office , and a car from Cars can be seen at the same time as the Pizza Planet truck
• The Incredibles - Mr. Incredible's desk lamp is Luxo Jr.. In the scene with the self destructing message, the boxing game from Toy Story is on the shelf, to the left.
• Cars has many cameos:

• Lightning McQueen is equipped with Lightyear Buzzard tires, a parody of Goodyear Eagle Tires, and a reference to Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story".
• Some of the racing cars in the teaser trailer have Toy Story 2 and A Bugs Life logos on the side as well as JLP which could be reffering to John Lasseter the director.
• Some of the sponsors on the sides of the cars seen in the trailer are references to past Pixar films, for example, "2319" is visible on a car. 2319 was the code of the Child Detection Agency in Monsters, Inc. when a monster came into physical contact with a human child.
• Lightning McQueen could have been named after auto-and-motorcycle racing legend Steve McQueen, or in tribute of Glenn McQueen (December 24, 1960 – October 29, 2002), who worked with Pixar on such films as Toy Story and A Bug's Life, but did not live to see Finding Nemo.

A113

Main article: A113

Similar to George Lucas' 1138, the letter-number sequence A113 is an animation in-joke which appears in all Pixar films to date. It is a reference to one of the room numbers at CalArts (where several of the employees are alumni).

The Pizza Planet Truck

The Pizza Planet Truck which featured prominently in Toy Story appears in each of the Pixar films. The truck is noticeable for only showing the letters "Yo" (the only letters left from the car's brand; "Gyoza", not "Toyota" as is commonly thought.) Examples:

• Toy Story: Buzz and Woody get to Pizza Planet in this truck.
• A Bug's Life: As the two bugs are talking about seeing the light, the truck can be seen on-screen.
• Toy Story 2: The toys steal and drive the truck.
• Monsters Inc.: At the end of the movie, Randall is thrown through a door and ends up in a caravan, thought to be a gator. The caravan is next to the Pizza Planet truck.
• Finding Nemo: While the escape plan is being shown, as the bags of water cross the road, the truck drives past.
• The Incredibles: The Pizza Planet truck can be seen on the freeway towards the end of the film.

Teaser trailers

The Pixar teaser trailers since A Bug's Life consist of footage created specifically for the trailer, spotlighting certain central characters in a comic situation. Though similar scenes and situations may appear, these sequences are not in the films being advertised, but instead are original creations.

Examples:

• A Bug's Life: All the insects from the circus troupe gather onto a leaf right before Heimlich bites the end of it off, causing them to fall.
• Toy Story 2: The green alien toys come up to a center with the claw coming down. First the claw was carying down "Toy Story" with the aliens doing their trademark "Oooh". Second the claw brings down a "2" and with the aliens turning around and looking at the audience and saying "Twoooo". Then Woody and Buzz come up with a little greetings.
• Monsters, Inc.: Sulley and Mike stumble into the wrong bedroom. (Also, in a preview shown before the first Harry Potter film, Sulley is shown playing charades with Mike, but Mike is unable to guess the phrase 'Harry Potter'. The clip never specifically mentions Harry Potter, but the end states that Monsters, Inc. is playing right next door.)
• Finding Nemo: Marlin asks the school of fish for directions and Dory scares them away.
• The Incredibles: An out-of-shape Mr. Incredible struggles to get his belt on.
• Cars: Mater, a rusty tow truck talks to Lightning McQueen after hitting and killing a baby bumblebee.

Harryhausen's

In an homage to Ray Harryhausen, stop motion animation pioneer and designer of countless cinematic monsters, the restaurant in Monsters, Inc. is named "Harryhausen's."

• The Adventures of André and Wally B. (1984, Lucasfilm, prior to creation of Pixar)
• Luxo Jr. (1986, became the source of today's Pixar logo)
• Red's Dream (1987)
• Tin Toy (1988, Academy Award winner 1988)
• Knick Knack (1989)
• Geri's Game (1997, Academy Award winner 1997))
• For the Birds (2000, Academy Award winner 2001)
• Mike's New Car (2002, based on characters in Monsters, Inc.)
• Boundin' (2003)
• Jack-Jack Attack (2005, based on characters and situations from The Incredibles)
• One Man Band (2005)

• Alvy Ray Smith's Pixar History Page. Retrieved June 9, 2005.
• Pixar Corporate FAQ. Retrieved June 9, 2005.