Pixar Internships

[AFaeryChild]

Wow it's been ages since I've posted here or anywhere really. By way of introduction, my name is Autumn. I graduated from the Fine Arts program at the University of Southern California (don't laugh!) in May 2007. I'm currently working towards a post-graduate degree in Animation at the University of the West of England etc. and such. Mostly I really, really, really wanted to spend about eighteen months reading anything and everything as well as cracking down and making my own film before getting sucked up in the industry. I've known too many people who've had to put absolutely everything they most love about making animation on hold in order to maintain an industry career. So this is my chance to see if I can continue working beyond required deadlines, strict course scheduling, and, more to the point, whether I am actually capable of finishing anything since I've left a long line of incomplete personal projects in my wake. My eventual goal is to work in Production for animation. I've had some experience working various freelance and internship jobs, and I absolutely adore the job - I prefer to make my own art in my own time and work in production (the businessy, scheduley bit) career wise. Which brings me, at last, to my point:

Does anyone know anything or have any experience with the Pixar internship program? I've submitted to the internship specifically in producing, but I'm concerned that I may not have submitted all of the correct information. Oddly enough, this is something I've found myself hoping to get more and more. This may seem surprising to the guys out there who have "always dreamed of working for Pixar". And I do admit that the quality of their work is something to jump about excitedly about. But I'm also torn between potentially relocating (again) and staying out here in the UK.

So any advice on how to actually handle the internship, any additional tips for follow up and locking down the job or just experiences y'all may have had would be so very, very welcome.

[Storyboard Dave]

Does anyone know anything or have any experience with the Pixar internship program? I've submitted to the internship specifically in producing, but I'm concerned that I may not have submitted all of the correct information. Oddly enough, this is something I've found myself hoping to get more and more. This may seem surprising to the guys out there who have "always dreamed of working for Pixar". And I do admit that the quality of their work is something to jump about excitedly about. But I'm also torn between potentially relocating (again) and staying out here in the UK.

So any advice on how to actually handle the internship, any additional tips for follow up and locking down the job or just experiences y'all may have had would be so very, very welcome.

I know of a few people there at Pixar but I'm not exactly sure how we might be able to help you here with regards to your submission. What specifically did you feel as though you left out of your application? I'll assume you did everything asked of you on the application forms and everything, right?

You do realize that most interns going to work for a company like this are probably not going to jump right into the biz the first day. The most valuable thing you can honestly offer to a place like this is not talent (although you'll need it to back up your qualifications!)- but more so eagerness to learn. A lot of companies use proprietary software nowadays that you really can't learn in school so you're going to have to learn their software, their methods, their production, and pretty much their way of operating their business.

For all we know you could be the most talented person there. You might even be a better big wig than John Lasseter BUT as of now, you're still the intern. There is no way in the world they're going to let you lead a multi-million dollar project just yet- despite how talented you are. You'll have to bide your time, work hard, and prove to them (or any other employer for that matter) that you're willing to bust butt for them. Give them a reason to trust you with the big project. Earn their trust through hard work and dedication and that's how one slowly climbs their way out of an internship and onto the bigger stage.

That's almost a universal theme for all internships, not just Pixar's.

Good luck.

[AFaeryChild]

I know of a few people there at Pixar but I'm not exactly sure how we might be able to help you here with regards to your submission. What specifically did you feel as though you left out of your application? I'll assume you did everything asked of you on the application forms and everything, right?


I can't even keep track anymore. Obviously it's a training/learning issue. One of the things I've been dying to do is get in and see how a major studio works on the production level. I mean, I've had some great mentors in various smaller studios over the years. But I really want to expand that. But I'm not sure that got across, came across, what have you. They only asked for a resume anyway which is a bit odd. Oh well, I guess we'll see.

What else can you do? Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

[Storyboard Dave]

I can't even keep track anymore. Obviously it's a training/learning issue. One of the things I've been dying to do is get in and see how a major studio works on the production level. I mean, I've had some great mentors in various smaller studios over the years. But I really want to expand that. But I'm not sure that got across, came across, what have you. They only asked for a resume anyway which is a bit odd. Oh well, I guess we'll see.

What else can you do? Cross your fingers and hope for the best.

Your resume. Did it sound as though you were the ideal person for the internship in it? I know it might sound totally odd in me asking that but I've learned over the last few years that submitting a "generic list of your accomplishments" sort of resume does not get one's foot in the door. I've actually learned that there are strategies and tactics to getting your resume noticed and past the Human Resources person from talking to creative recruiters (even my original resume which was darn near nine pages worth of accomplishments has been whittled down to a lean mean one page document now). I'll assume Pixar wanted you to submit a PDF or Word document of your resume.

Resumes really have to be tailored specifically for specific jobs nowadays considering how competitive it is.

And also realize that if you don't get an internship at Pixar, it's perfectly fine as well. My mentor many moons ago told me some very wise words in the sense that "your first job is not your last job". Who knows? Somewhere down the pipe, you still might end up at Pixar. Fret not; get into the business, learn as much as you can and make the jump over when you can. A lot of getting great jobs is contingent on timing and not just talent.

Good luck.

[AFaeryChild]

I have no clue how you make yourself the "Ideal" person for a job. It's all so much politics to some degree, and I haven't figured them out yet. I'd actually been avoiding the large studios for a long time because the smaller studios I'd worked at had been much more interested in giving you more to do - not so much training you up per se, but they needed the help. So you got to do some stuff you might not in a unionized studio.

Mostly I've found that I love what I do. Even the pain in the arse stuff is bread and butter - not always the tastiest, but you know...

At this point, I figure it's a win-win situation all around. When I applied for the internships (Dreamworks and Pixar) I knew I already had a backup. So, I spend my time back west working on stuff I love. Or I stay in Bristol (and keep my mouth shut about Dreamworks...this is Aardman land) and haul rear end on my thesis film - also very exciting. If a bit isolating being in an "independent" situation.

But seriously, what else can you do but sit, wait, and figure things will work out or they won't. There's always something. It's a good thing. A very, good thing. This weirdly masochistic art of animation...but I love it all the same. Even the current casting-hell I'm dealing with now. :D

Thanks for all of the advice and such. It's been lovely, if nothing else, just to get feedback. And hear another non-student voice.

[Storyboard Dave]

One huge suggestion that I have for my students do in regards to applying for jobs is to try to do as much research on the company and the position as possible. Try to see how you can fit within their realm of comfort with regards to what you have to offer. if you're applying to a company that does sports action games, then highlight on your resume your knowledge of sports action games (or things directly related to them). If you're applying towards a company such as Pixar- see what you would consider to be their strong suits. Try to cater to their needs and be a team member for them. Also try to look at it from their point of view. What kind of person would you want to have working for you? What separates this candidate from the rest of the hundreds of resumes being sent to you?

They're all very tricky things to take into consideration and encapsulate into a resume and come across as being the "ideal" candidate for the job.

And from the sounds of it, you're in a great place already. Sometimes working for a bigger company has its drawbacks as well. Small places have their perks as well as their downfalls. You seem to be very content and in a happy place at the moment. You venturing a chance at Pixar's great too. It never hurts to test the waters. You seem to have a great winning attitude towards things and I'm sure things will work out marvelously for you as well. Best of luck to you! :sungod:

[mybutterflyiris]

ok, random question, didn't know where to put this...I thought I would put it here since it's somewhat related.
I'm also interrested in the pixar intership program, but their one for the art department. Anyways, I'm putting together my flatbook to send out and I have some model sheets that are 11x17, but my envelopes are 9x12. So the question is whether I should have my model sheets printed out smaller or simply fold them. Thoughts? ...Perhaps it doesn't matter? Or is it bad presentation to fold? Or should I chop my model sheets up into two pages for each one?

[Storyboard Dave]

ok, random question, didn't know where to put this...I thought I would put it here since it's somewhat related.
I'm also interrested in the pixar intership program, but their one for the art department. Anyways, I'm putting together my flatbook to send out and I have some model sheets that are 11x17, but my envelopes are 9x12. So the question is whether I should have my model sheets printed out smaller or simply fold them. Thoughts? ...Perhaps it doesn't matter? Or is it bad presentation to fold? Or should I chop my model sheets up into two pages for each one?

Print them up smaller. Remember the people that are looking at your artwork and their schedules. They're not going to want to fiddle with anything elaborate. Keep it simple, catch their eye and hope they take a liking to your work. Don't over complicate things, don't make it unwieldy or cumbersome to get through.

Simplicity works wonders still.

Good luck.

[mybutterflyiris]

thanks for the advise. will do.