Pixar Tour Recap: An After-Hours Look Behind the Curtain
This April, our students were treated to an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most prestigious animation studios in the world: Pixar Animation Studios. While this was our third time visiting the campus, this trip offered a unique perspective that our previous tours hadn’t…a rare, after-hours deep dive into the studio’s creative heart.
The Hosts
We were incredibly fortunate to be hosted by three industry powerhouses who shared their time and wisdom with our students:
Andy Beal: Director of Visual Development.
Albert Lozano: The former Lead Character Designer for Inside Out and all of Director Pete Doctor’s Pixar films.
Paige Johnstone: Recent Production Manager on Inside Out 2 and a vital representative for Black professionals in production management.
A Multidisciplinary Experience
In the spirit of collaboration, we opened the doors to students across all of our KOO Labs Academies. It wasn't just our Animation Academy students who attended; we were also joined by creators from the Media, Fashion, and Music Production Academies.
Our instructional team was out in full force to support the experience, with our Lead Animation Instructor Tam Dao coordinating the trip, joined by Brittsense (Media Instructor) and former Animation Instructor Theo Hollingsworth.
Exploring the "Clubhouse"
Because we visited in the evening, the studio was quiet, allowing us to focus on the environment itself. We spent significant time in the Animation Department, a space that feels less like a corporate office and more like a high-energy clubhouse. As a team of "makers," the Pixar animators have transformed their workspace into an installation-filled wonderland, complete with an arcade and even a hidden bar.
First Looks at Future Classics
A major highlight of the night was the gallery tour. Our students got an up-close look at concept art and production work from:
Hoppers: Pixar’s most recent release.
Toy Story 5: The highly anticipated sequel dropping this summer!
"The students were incredibly engaged, asking thoughtful questions about the industry and the craft. They left not just inspired, but with a clearer vision of how they can one day see their own names in the Pixar credits." - Theo Hollingsworth (Former KOOLabs Animation Facilitator)
It was a night of inspiration, curiosity, and community. The impact on our students will surely last a lifetime. See you at the movies!
