Q&A for How to Get a Tour of Pixar Studios

I had the privilege to tour Pixar, and some of the animators and storyboard artists I spoke with started out as janitors at Pixar. So, get involved in any way you can, and who knows, maybe you will move up one day. Visit the careers section of the Pixar website regularly to see what opportunities are available.

Yes, but it may be a little tricky. There isn't technically a tour that's open to the public, but there are ways you can get a tour of the studios. The most common way to get a tour of Pixar Studios is to have a personal connection. If you don't know anybody that works at Pixar, try asking friends or family if they do. You could even post a question on social media asking if anybody knows someone who works at Pixar. Pixar sometimes has days that are designated for family and friends to come visit and tour the facility. If you have a connection with someone who works there, you may be able to get a private, unscheduled tour, but your best bet is to go on the family and friends days. Another option is to go view a private screening at the Pixar studios. Pixar sometimes allows employees to invite guests to come to the studio to see these films.

The easiest way is to ask someone you know who works there if you can take a tour with them. But if you don't know anybody at Pixar, you could try participating in a charity event or a contest. Go to a Pixar news website and look for information about different charitable auction opportunities that happen from time to time. Follow the directions on the website in order to place your bid, as you may get a tour if you have the highest one. Pixar also sometimes offers tickets to take a tour of their studio to raise money for charities. They usually happen just before a new movie premier. Check out the Pixar website for tour tickets you can purchase, but keep in mind these can be pricey. For example, tickets for a charity event in 2011 that included a black tie dinner, a screening, and an exclusive tour were $1,000 USD each. Another option is to look for contests you can enter to potentially win tour tickets. Check out the Pixar website and keep an eye out for contests you can sign up for.

You can actually just try applying directly to Pixar! Go online and search for available jobs at Pixar. If one sounds interesting, click on it and see if you meet the qualifications. If the job looks like a good fit, make a Pixar account if you don't already have one. Then, click the "Apply" button and follow the instructions to complete your application. If they think you're a good fit, they'll contact you for more information and possibly an interview for the job. Pixar offers internship opportunities as well. This may be a better option for you if you’re currently a student.