subject: Working for Pixar [print this page] Working for Pixar Working for Pixar
Pixar Animator Alex Orrelle Speaks Alex Orrelle talks with Israeli Animation Forum members about Pixar, Manex, Matrix 2 and more.
About Alex: Alex Orrelle is a London-born, Israeli-raised animator. He has studied animation at theAcademy of Art College in San Francisco, where he directed a group project CG short called "Freeware".3D Models The short won the Alias|Wavefront student competition. Alex went on to work at Manex Visual Effects, as a character animator for the Matrix sequels. His current job is at Pixar, where he serves as bothcharacter animator and storyboard artist.
Working at Pixar:
hermonir: Hello everybody, hello Alex.
aorrelle: Shalom from San Francisco
Phoebs: How did you get accepted to Pixar?
aorrelle: Getting into Pixar was a three year project. I studied at the academy of art in SF and took Pixars short film class there.In that course I got to know the teachers and made it clear to them that I want a job at Pixar... I had to prove myself worthy through working my ass off and exceeding expectations. Even if you are as good as 3D Models animators at Pixar, it doesnt mean you have a job there. Its very much about timing...
morobuse: What is your background? Traditional cell animation? Claymation? Life drawing? Tell us the secret."To get into Pixar you have to be good. Theres no secret."
aorrelle: My background is a lot of drawing. Since I was a kid I would draw, make home movies with my friends and a super-8, and even try to shoot animation. It was very unsuccessful but at least I tried. To get into Pixar you have to be good. Theres no secret. You have to love animation, love talking about it and understand what makes it so appealing...
galrt: Going to schools in the US is quite expensive in local standards. How did you handle it financially if you don't mind me asking?
aorrelle: School was very expensive for someone who cant work. Its a privilege I owe to my parents.
Kfiram: I've always wondered how big studios like Pixar divide the work between artists. The general conception is that a 3D Models does nothing but model, a shading artist does shading alone, the guy in charge of LipSync doesn't animate the body, etc. Is that really the case? And if so, how come you're both character animator and storyboard artist? What exactly do you do anyway?
