Keith Cormier, a lighting technical director at Pixar, came to the Minneapolis College of Art and Design this afternoon to give a lecture. It was AMAZING!
A taste of what things he talked about:
-How Andrew Stanton wanted Wall E to look like and the thing they did to match his vision.
-Showed a few camera tests of them trying to get the camera and lighting to feel natural and like a live action film instead of CGI
-Step by step through different lighting scenarios and each pass of lights they worked on.
-Numbers: total shots; shots he worked on; the number of lighters; etc
-His typical work day
I talked to him afterward and got a couple FAQ’s sheets about applying for a internship/residency at Pixar… as well as his business card in case I had any questions!
I am seeing him again tonight as he is the guest speaker at the Minnesota SIGGRAPH, the Minnesota Electronic Theater.
That sounds so interesting! Hearing about his typical work day must’ve been cool- it’s difficult to imagine what it’s actually like to work at Pixar, so that’s probably pretty useful information for you, Hannahmation. Looks like you’re building up some contacts so when you apply to work at Pixar, everyone will know who you are already!
It was neat hearing about his typical work day, lizardgirl. Although it is still hard to imagine what it is actually like to work there. I won’t be satisfied until I witness/experience it first hand! Yes! That is the goal! Everyone at Pixar will know my name! As the saying goes: it’s about who you know, not what you know…
Hannahmation - What an exciting opportunity! That’s wonderful that you were able to hear first-hand what is involved in driving a particular division of Pixar Animation Studios. And he gave you his business card? How awesome can the experience get?
I’m quite jealous of you, actually. I’m seriously considering training to be a lighting artist, so any information gained is like candy to me. An art university will settle that problem, though.
Wow, what a great experience to have had, Hannahmation! You are so lucky to have met him! I really envy you. That’s so cool. Not only did you meet him, you got his business card! Congrats on that.
Did you also happen to get his autograph? xD
It was indeed an awesome experience, Mitch! I was like a sponge and soaked up everything he said! I wrote down some notes from his lecture that I can send you if you would like.
bright dot-dasher: No, I didn’t get his autograph. I actually thought of asking him, but I don’t know why I didn’t. Oh well. A friend of mine had him sign her Wall E DVD though!
That was wicked, Hannahmation! I had a two lighting Pixarians who did Ratatouille and Lifted who came to my college, but it was for a really expensive master workshop and I was away on my return to Singapore.
Consider yourself lucky that a Pixarian came to deliver a free lecture at your school! And that you nabbed yourself a valuable contact! I wish I had that opportunity… I hope you have fun at the Minneapolis SIGGRAPH. I’ve attended one or two Oz Siggie seminars at my school but the speakers weren’t really involved in any studios I was interested in (more like freelancers).
I did have fun at the Minnesota Siggraph, thedriveintheatre. Thanks. That’s too bad the workshop was expensive and I do indeed consider myself lucky. I didn’t think I’d actually get to meet someone from Pixar (at least while in college), let alone get his business card. Maybe another great opportunity will come your way!
nightwheel: No, I didn’t. Never crossed my mind, sorry! Although, he didn’t work on The Incredibles, so I don’t know if he would’ve known the answer anyway.
Yes! That is the goal! 
Congrats on that.