Pixar

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

History

Pixar started 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, establishing itself as an independent company. The sale was based on George Lucas' desire to see Pixar succeed on its own, as it was unable to shine in the shadow of Industrial Light & Magic. The newly independent company was co-founded by Dr. Edwin Catmull, President and CEO, and Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, Executive Vice President and Director. Jobs served as Chairman of the Board.

Related Topics:
Lucasfilm - Apple Computer - Steve Jobs - 1986 - George Lucas - Industrial Light & Magic - Edwin Catmull - President - CEO - Alvy Ray Smith - Executive Vice President - Chairman of the Board

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

Related Topics:
Pixar Image Computer - John Lasseter - Luxo Jr. - SIGGRAPH

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As poor sales of Pixar's computers threatened to put the company out of business, Lasseter's animation department began selling commercials to outside companies, including successful campaigns for Tropicana, Listerine, and LifeSavers. In addition, Pixar was key in the development of CAPS, a computer-assisted animation post-production software system for Walt Disney Feature Animation. After substantial cuts to most of the computer department, Pixar began its current life by making a $26,000,000 deal with Walt Disney Studios in 1991 to produce animated feature films, the first of which was Toy Story. The company was incorporated on December 9, 1995.

Related Topics:
Tropicana - Listerine - LifeSavers - CAPS - Post-production - Walt Disney Feature Animation - Walt Disney Studios - 1991 - Toy Story - Incorporated - December 9 - 1995

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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).

Related Topics:
Academy Award - Director - Animator - Sarah McArthur - Production - Simon Bax - CFO - Lois Scali

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