Go back

Inspired: Kemp Powers, Writing Something Real

Episode number: 1

Overview: Authenticity is essential to creating a film that is believable and relatable. Co-Director Kemp Powers discusses the real-life experiences that led him to propose a simple, yet pivotal scene in Soul.

Inspired: Deanna Marsigliese, The Art of the Pivot

Episode number: 2

Overview: Inspiration isn't instant. Coming up with unique and creative characters takes time and effort. Character Designer Deanna Marsigliese takes us through the process of character creation and the artistic detours that often come with it.

Inspired: Steven Hunter, For That Kid

Episode number: 3

Overview: Growing up in a small town in Canada, Steven Hunter never felt like he saw himself represented in cartoons and comic books. After getting the opportunity to direct a Pixar SparkShort, Steven was inspired by his own life to create 'Out,' a unique and vulnerable story he wished he saw in his youth.

Inspired: Jessica Heidt, Who Gets All the Lines?

Episode number: 4

Overview: Script Supervisor Jessica Heidt manages endless lines of dialogue. Through her script access, she detected a disparity in male to female roles, motivating her to create a program to improve gender balance throughout Pixar's films and the greater film industry.

Inspired: Dan Scanlon, Where Ideas Come From

Episode number: 5

Overview: Inspiration can be hard to come by. Sometimes it takes years to find, while other times it's been right under your nose. Director Dan Scanlon takes us on a personal journey of inspiration that led to his film, Onward.

Portraits: Cynthia Lusk, Director of International Production

Episode number: 6

Overview: Director of International Production Cynthia Lusk takes us into the fascinating world of localization. From translations to graphics to even changes in animation, Cynthia and her team work to make sure that Pixar’s films can connect and resonate to fans and families throughout the world.

Portraits: Marylou Jaso, Pastry Chef

Episode number: 7

Overview: Marylou Jaso has the sweetest job at Pixar - literally. As Pixar's Pastry Chef, she spends each day creating the confections and sweet treats that delight, inspire, and help feed the studio's creativity.

Portraits: Rachelle Federico, Production Assistant

Episode number: 8

Overview: As Production Assistant on Pixar's Soul, Rachelle Federico hard work might not always be that glamorous, but she considers it an important and essential need in the creation of an animated film.

Portraits: Barney Jones, Music Editor

Episode number: 9

Overview: As a Music Editor, Barney Jones uses these talents to help shape the storytelling and emotion of a Pixar film.

Portraits: Patty Bonfilio, Director of Facility Operations

Episode number: 10

Overview: No two days are the same for Patty Bonfilio. Join her on a VIP tour of the grounds and all of its hidden gems.

Foundations: Recipe for a Movie

Episode number: 11

Overview: How exactly are animated films made using computer graphics? Pixar’s creative minds introduce and break down how a movie is made through understandable explanations using metaphors and examples.

Foundations: Creating Characters

Episode number: 12

Overview: From cars to fish to toys to superheroes, Pixar characters have unique personalities, designs, and traits. Join Pixar’s character artists and designers as they break down the process of developing a new character.

Foundations: Through the Lens

Episode number: 13

Overview: Camerawork is just as crucial in animation as it is in live action. Pixar’s layout artists explain the craft behind camera and staging, showcasing how camera positioning enhances emotion within a story.

Foundations: Animation and Acting

Episode number: 14

Overview: Animation brings characters to life by making them move, feel, think, and talk. Pixar animators take us through the artistry of how they breathe life into characters authentically and explain the importance of acting (and eyebrows) in their craft.

Foundations: Color, Light, and Emotion

Episode number: 15

Overview: Light and color are essential in conveying the time of day, creating unique worlds, and even evoking emotion. Pixar lighting directors and artists reveal how they illuminate a scene and how they utilize light and color for everything from terrifying twists to signature Pixar tearjerkers.

Unpacked: About Time

Episode number: 16

Overview: How can the passage of time be utilized as a tool for emotional storytelling?

Unpacked: Everybody Loves a Villain

Episode number: 17

Overview: From Ernesto de La Cruz to Lotso to Hopper, foes of all shapes and sizes are essential to many of our favorite Pixar movies. But what makes a good villain?

Unpacked: The Squint Test

Episode number: 18

Overview: Pixar characters strive to strike a balance between realistic and caricatured.

Unpacked: Inner Drive

Episode number: 19

Overview: Beyond the world of Cars, vehicles of all kinds have made their mark throughout Pixar’s films.

Unpacked: No Small Roles

Episode number: 20

Overview: Take a deep dive into the art of crowds animation. Each of your favorite Pixar characters live in worlds populated by fellow fish, cars, toys, and humans, but creating thousands of these fully animated background characters is no easy feat.