Requirements to work for Pixar?

Question

Does anyone know how to get a job with Pixar? I know that this will take a long time to do but i'm wondering what the requirements are. I'm a freshman in college and I'm going to major in digital technology and minor in Fine Arts. Not sure what fine arts yet. I'm just a little curious and if not for Pixar what are my other options?

Thanks!

Answer 1

http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/jobs/in...

this should answer most of your questions about pixar

i have heard they also take interns, so why not apply for next summer? it would give you a lot of great experience and let you understand the company better, although I'm sure it will be tough competition

Answer 2

It depends what job it is that you want with them, as there is a wide range of departments within an animation studio. If you want to be an animator, you'll need to concentrate on studying animation, if you want to be a character modeller/rigger, you'll need to concentrate on 3D modelling, and if you want to be a visual development/storyboard/etc artist then you need to concentrate on art, both traditional and digital (as your degree includes Fine Art, I would guess that the latter is what you are looking for?). Either way, you should take classes in all of these things if possible, because a good understanding of the whole animation production pipeline will be very valuable.

The main requirement will be to work hard and be very, VERY good at what you do, because Pixar can afford to choose the best of the best, and talent is the deciding factor. A few people are lucky enough to get an internship there during or after college, but the places are extremely competitive and you can't count on that. You will most likely take your internship elsewhere, work on your skills, keep an eye on job openings at Pixar, and keep applying. :)

If you just want to work for an animation company, there are plenty of other options - other prestigious animation companies are Dreamworks (Shrek, Madagascar etc), Disney (who now produce CG movies independently of Pixar), and a host of other companies who produce animation for films, television series, advertising, etc. There is also a huge range of jobs in the video game industry which requires almost exactly the same skills (visual development > modelling > animation), and that's also a good place to work.

Other things they will look for (assets to you in any industry, but animation in particular): strong teamwork ability, enthusiasm, dedication, imagination, ability to present your ideas clearly and concisely. If you have any problems in areas like these, you should work on those too! :)

Good luck!