In 1986, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs bought a little known graphics division of Lucasfilm Ltd valued surplus to requirements, the $10 Million acquisition established itself as an independent company and was christened Pixar. With the release of the studio's tenth feature film 'UP' it would be easy to say the rest was history, but, it would serve only to undermine the most influential producer of cinematic development of the last two decades.
Pixar's early output consisted of televised commercials, with the revenue used to fund their development of a new frontier medium, animation. Distinction shortly followed in 1987 with the animated short Luxo Jr, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film. This achievement was to be surpassed, with Tin Toy scooping the famous golden statuette two years later, providing an early glimpse of their future success.
Following Pixar's early achievements their profile rose within the industry, leading to a partnership with Walt Disney Studios to be forged in 1991. This agreement with Disney, gave the Pixar team the required license to develop, produce and distribute three feature-length films. Fulfilling, co-founders John Lasseter and Dr. Ed Catmul's early ambition to bring animation to the big screen.
In 1995, Pixar did not disappoint with their first feature film Toy Story setting the bar to an unprecedented high. The feature, not only produced a 'never seen before' medium pioneered by themselves, but also offered audiences an effortless combination of spectacle and entertainment, a future staple of Pixar's later releases. Set in a fantastical world where unknown by humans, toys come to life, Toy Story, introduces the adventures of a wide collection of toys owned by child Andy. Beginning with Woody, an old-fashioned American cowboy doll, who acts as community leader to the rest, becoming anxious at the thought of being shelved by all, for a popular new toy, space ranger Buzz Lightyear.
With this release Pixar were forever etched in cinematic history as the producers of the first fully computer animated feature film, and proceeded to become the highest grossing film of the year.
Pixar's influence in the development of cinema over the last two decades is definitive; they opened the door to limitless possibility. They showed the potential to create new worlds, new perspectives, and importantly produce new ambitious stories never thought possible. Indeed, since their breakthrough in full-feature animation there has been substantial increases in the output of animated feature films from other studios. However, while others strive to make an impact, none have been able to match the pioneers of this
medium.
Not restricted to an influence only in the development of animated films, Pixar's presence is felt in live action. Without their vast contribution, the ability to bring the now seamless combination of live action and animated special effects to features films such Lord of the Rings trilogy would not exist. The visual results simply would not have produced without the continual effort to push the boundaries of possibility with animation.
What has caused Pixar's unrivalled success? Are Pixar on the crest of a lucky streak that has produced one box-office hit after another with their releases Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, and Wall E. Or, is their success born from the driving ambition to be the pinnacle of animation? Whereby in search of progress, risk, it appears, has become apart of their nature. With an unwillingness to settle on their previous successes, they instead, continue to endeavor towards innovation.
This is unique; the rise of Pixar in recent cinema history has come at a moment where originality amongst large studios has declined. Now, a notable increase of the money-spinning series is evident. The 'Adaptation Franchise', has become a mainstay of cinema, with the titles X men, Spiderman, Harry Potter, currently representing thirteen films alone that rank among the highest box office earners of the last decade. With even more franchises, sequels, and even reboots of releases continuing down the production line, this is a trend that is unlikely to stop.
Still, this criticism is not directed towards these films, many have their own merits, as well as flaws. But, the criticism is more precisely levied to the gradual increase of sequels are being put into production because it is an easier to attain larger audiences on the name of a loved original, than generating a new innovative in a story.
Consequently, this has produced a production line focused on a quick turnover of films, with the need to 'strike while the iron hot', before audiences lose interest. Acting in this way, considerations are often rushed leading to the detriment of a production. Issues with schedule conflicts impacting on returning directors, and incomplete scripts, have reportedly caused havoc on recent disjointed big budget releases. Despite the obvious impact, a release date appears to now outweigh the end product.
In contrast, Pixar will currently invest three years into each release, spending an equal time on developing possible ideas, as some productions enter and complete an entire film. This method can be lead back to what co founder John Lasseter believes in most important “world, character and story”. Only when the idea is right, and the creative spark is lit within the team, will a project progress onto story development. From here, new worlds are created and explored, new characters are born, and their stories and relationships unfolded. In the simplest sense, this is the heart of Pixar's first twenty years of film-making with animation playing its helping hand in bringing these worlds to life for all to see.
It is this devotion to each Pixar project that brings the most out of their visions, and the direct source executing with such consistency. A release date is not greater than the project, and profitable franchises do not steal focus. Instead, Pixar push the boundaries of storytelling, shifting between fantasy and real-life, portraying the impacts of love, tragedy, and dreams in their adventurous worlds, with the added relationships that happen along the way.
Where next for Pixar? Audiences must surely hope that they follow in their own frontier footsteps of the last two decades, and continue to set the bar to 'infinity and beyond'.
MATT RICHARDSON
