Who Is the Point of Contact for Pixar Art Internship

Stephanie Soong hadn't even finished her 3D modeling course when she found out she got a coveted position in the Pixar Undergraduate Program (PUP): a 12-week Pixar internship that prepares yous for a Technical Manager job. She'd taken a big risk leaving a steady career in healthcare to pursue her creative interests, and in true Disney style, the bound of faith paid off!

Stephanie tells what inspired her to modify careers, how she prepared her Pixar internship portfolio, and how her CG Spectrum mentors supported her throughout the awarding and interview process with Pixar Animation Studios.

3D art by CG Spectrum student Stephanie Soong (Original concept: Disegnata)

Stephanie, you had already established a very successful career in healthcare, how did your career modify to 3D modeling come near?

I re-watched Dauntless at a pivotal moment in my life. At the fourth dimension, I was 27 years onetime and had achieved every career goal in healthcare that my Asian mother set up out for me.

I was working at one of the top 10 hospitals in the United States edifice quality comeback projects. I had a loftier salary, bully health insurance, and a pension program. This is what dreams are fabricated of, right?

Yet, I still establish myself wondering why I was deeply unhappy and if I was meant to practice something else.

When Merida said, "Our fate lives within us, you only have to be dauntless enough to see it", I bankrupt down and realized I too needed to find my own path.

Thus began my own version of fighting for my own paw in marriage and taking control of my destiny.

Stephanie resonated with Brave's Merida (Prototype: Disney Pixar)

For the adjacent three years, I embarked on a journey to explore other opportunities. I methodically tested nine artistic career paths including: children's book analogy, comic book writing, photography, concept art, UX/UI, sheet painting, graphic pattern, and 3D modeling.

I discovered 3D modeling is the 'Ellie' to my Carl from UP; information technology's the dream fit. The technical side of me enjoys manipulating shapes to build precise, authentic depictions of the 3rd dimension. At the same time, the inventiveness involved in bringing the magic, sass, quirk, and/or whimsy to a static graphic symbol fills me with the utmost joy.

Your bravery paid off when you were chosen equally one of only 9 PUP interns out of thousands of applicants - congratulations! Tin can you walk us through the Pixar internship awarding procedure?

Maxine Schnepf [CG Spectrum's Career Evolution Manager] played a huge role in edifice my awarding. She helped convert my healthcare resume into a 3D modeling 1.

Her all-time advice on how to get an internship at Pixar was to include a personal objective argument, list of 3D skills that included keywords mentioned in the Pixar internship application, and emphasize that I take professional person experience working remotely (which I exercise) since Pixar'southward 2021 internship is virtual after all.

In tandem, my mentor, Alex Lori, wrote an fantabulous recommendation alphabetic character depicting what I'm like as a curious learner and how he sees me uniquely contributing to the art industry.

When I was fortunate enough to get an interview with Pixar, Spectra, a CG Spectrum mentor who previously was a Pixar intern, gave me detailed pointers specific to Pixar's interview process.

Additionally, Maxine conducted a mock interview and gave me straight feedback on how to improve each answer I provided. It was valuable do that helped me smash the interview with a big panel of Pixar employees.

What went through your mind when you constitute out you were successful?

When I institute out I got the Pixar internship, I squealed and immediately started crying. In my cover letter, I was honest about my tumultuous journey navigating my career. I went from studying nursing, to doing quality improvement, and then founding and running an ecommerce business & living abroad, to finally dabbling in art.

I was shocked then humbled that Pixar saw me for who I was and even so wanted me despite my non-linear path.

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I felt undeserving and suffered from imposter syndrome for a while before I came effectually to beingness thrilled most the internship. I legitimately cannot cover how I went from being depressed working in healthcare to landing a position with Pixar.

Information technology's unbelievable and an absolute DREAM. Come up. Truthful. I never imagined I'd be here!

I'g incredibly grateful for my meaning other, mentors, friends, family, and young man supportive students who helped go me to where I am today. It truly takes a village.

Yous hadn't even finished your 3D modeling course before getting the Pixar internship! Tin you lot tell the states about your experience at CG Spectrum?

I was having difficulty plucking up the backbone to brand a career transition into 3D modeling. Prior to starting at CG Spectrum (CGS), I messaged Jeremy Chinn, COO of CGS, on LinkedIn with a list of anxious questions ranging from, "What is 3D modeling?" to "What are the post-grad, chore prospects in getting a modeling position with a high salary?"; you know, questions a typical, overbearing, Asian parent would take.

I was surprised he responded and impressed that he answered every question thoroughly and honestly. Not once did he try to sell me on the school. Instead, he helped manage my expectations about the industry and mentally prepared me for the hard work ahead should I choose this path.

This theme of honesty, deep caring, and actionable feedback carried on throughout my experience as a student here at CG Spectrum.

My CGS mentors Alex Lori, Rob Lodermeier, Justin Mohlman, and Hong Chan Lim played a large role in providing meaning, in-depth constructive feedback to my portfolio pieces.

They helped teach me how to achieve good design, make clean silhouettes, cohesive colour stories, balanced composition, and aesthetic appeal.

In addition, they shared an incredible amount of knowledge well-nigh the animation pipeline, how to build a strong modeling portfolio, career communication, mandatory soft skills, and important life lessons learned in the film and gaming industries. They take shaped me into the artist I am today.

If my mentors are reading this, thanks for letting me bug you with my ceaseless, aggressively curious questions about the industry!

I hope I've been a decent sponge absorbing everything you lot've thrown my style!

Ane of the projects you lot included in your Pixar internship portfolio was a warrior you lot created in your 3D modeling grade. What's the story behind this Disney-fashion character?

Designing the Warrior was certainly a memorable learning experience. I wanted to challenge myself to create a stylized, "Pixar/Disney" version of Brandon Reimchen'southward warrior concept (below).

My inspiration came from Storm and Loish. I initially struggled with how to alloy these styles in an aesthetically pleasing mode, while staying true to the concept art.

My goal was to create a "fairy-like" warrior, but with a feisty, headstrong side.

I started out sculpting typical strong thighs and buff arms, but soon thinned out her silhouette. I wanted to demonstrate that despite her "fairy-like", slender body shape, her internal ferocity is the existent force to be reckoned with.

At ane point, I gave upwards on my initial idea of white hair fading into aqua because nothing seemed to work with information technology. I even had a version where she was bald, had a bullring piercing, black vesture, and latex boots; I was losing sight of my goal.

Subsequently researching and looking through mode blogs, I eventually plant Nyane and loved her style. I decided to change her hair dorsum to the original white & aqua and apply the same color scheme for her wearable.

Then, I added a colorful, warm-toned tattoo sleeve to contrast her cool tones, circular out her warrior qualities, and add that unique "popular". The iterative design procedure helped to create a cohesive look.

Where else do you lot get inspiration? Where practise you lot await for reference?

Aside from beingness a humongous fan of all Pixar and Disney movies, I don't really follow whatsoever particular artists religiously. When I achieve a signal in my project where I'm seeking reference images, I'll unremarkably practise my research on Pinterest and select random pieces of art that I remember would resonate strongly with that specific project.

I by and large effort to avoid spending too much time on social media platforms. I accept discovered that the more than time I spend scrolling, the more time I spend either 1) comparing myself to others and feeling down or 2) trying to mimic art that gets the virtually 'likes'.

By fugitive social media, I'chiliad able to protect that small, authentic piece of me and preserve that artistic, artless wonder.

What are your favorite Pixar movies and why?

In that location's fashion likewise many. My kid side loves The Incredibles. My Chinese side is beautifully represented in Bao. My wanderlust, gourmand side wants to be Remy from Ratatouille. My creative side is in awe of Toy Story 4. And my heart belongs to Soul.

Final projection creating during the 2017 Pixar summer internship

The Pixar Undergraduate Program starts this summer, what are you about looking forward to?

I'chiliad excited to collaborate with and learn from other talented artists who love stylized animation as much as I do!

I fantasize about having total-blown discussions with boyfriend interns on how to make characters and environments more cute, fun, and magical. I'1000 excited to let that imaginative, "kid-at-center" come out to play.

A good way to get a job at Pixar is to beginning with an internship. What would your dream career be someday?

I dearest seeing the vulnerable, psychological, complex, inner workings of a character displayed on screen. Currently, every bit a character modeler, I don't become to animate these emotions, but I similar giving birth to characters that one day may have a multi-dimensional personality.

My dream is to be a lead character modeler in the blitheness industry, with adjacent masteries in character design, rigging, and animation.

Cheers for sharing your story with us Stephanie, and all the very best for your Pixar Undergraduate Program!

For more than of Stephanie'due south work or to connect, visit her Artstation or LinkedIn.

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Dreaming of getting a task or internship at Pixar, but demand stronger portfolio pieces and professional guidance? CG Spectrum is the place to get career preparation and support from industry mentors who accept been in your shoes. Whether you're pursuing 3D modeling, animation or digital painting, explore our online courses and start your journey!

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Tags:   Animation ,   Community Spotlight ,   3D Modeling

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Source: https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/get-a-job-at-pixar-internship-first-step

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