Pixar's partnership with Steve Jobs

Definition

Pixar's partnership with Steve Jobs refers to the collaboration that began in 1986 when Jobs invested in Pixar, which was then a struggling computer graphics company. His leadership and vision transformed Pixar into a major player in the animation industry, leading to groundbreaking advancements in 3D animation technology and the production of hit films that revolutionized animated features.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Steve Jobs acquired Pixar from Lucasfilm for $10 million and played a crucial role in shaping its future direction, transforming it from a hardware-focused company into a leader in CGI animation.
2. Under Jobs' guidance, Pixar produced several short films that showcased their technological capabilities and storytelling, which helped build a reputation that led to their first feature film, Toy Story.
3. Jobs emphasized the importance of storytelling in animation, fostering a culture at Pixar that valued creativity alongside technological innovation.
4. The partnership led to a groundbreaking distribution deal with Disney, which allowed Pixar to produce multiple successful animated features that dominated box offices.
5. In 2006, Disney acquired Pixar for $7.4 billion, further solidifying the impact of Jobs' vision on both companies and the animation industry as a whole.

Review Questions

• How did Steve Jobs' leadership influence the direction and success of Pixar?
  • Steve Jobs' leadership at Pixar significantly influenced its direction by shifting its focus from hardware to storytelling and animation. He encouraged innovation in technology while fostering a creative environment that led to the development of iconic films. His vision and investment were pivotal in transforming Pixar into a powerhouse of animated storytelling, culminating in landmark films like Toy Story.
• Discuss the significance of RenderMan in the context of Pixar's evolution under Steve Jobs' partnership.
  • RenderMan was crucial to Pixar's evolution as it provided the advanced rendering technology needed to create high-quality animations. Under Steve Jobs' partnership, RenderMan became a standard in the industry, helping to elevate the quality of CGI films. This technological advancement allowed Pixar to produce visually stunning films, setting them apart from traditional animation and contributing to their commercial success.
• Evaluate the impact of Pixar's collaboration with Disney on the animation industry as a whole following Jobs' involvement.
  • The collaboration between Pixar and Disney had a transformative impact on the animation industry. Following Jobs' involvement, this partnership resulted in a series of successful animated films that redefined storytelling techniques and set new standards for quality in animation. The financial success of these films not only revitalized Disney's animated division but also influenced other studios to invest in CGI technology, leading to an industry-wide shift towards computer-generated features.

Related terms

RenderMan: RenderMan is Pixar's proprietary rendering software, developed to create high-quality images for animated films and widely used across the film industry.

Toy Story: Toy Story is the first feature-length film entirely created with computer-generated imagery (CGI), released by Pixar in 1995, marking a major milestone in animation history.

Computer Graphics Group: The Computer Graphics Group was a part of Lucasfilm where Pixar originated, focusing on developing innovative computer graphics technologies before becoming an independent company.