Pixar Animation Reading Worksheet
Film & Technology History • Grade 10
Pixar Animation Studios
Name:
Date:
Reading Goal: Learn how computer scientists and artists teamed up to transform movie history.
Reading Passage
CGI
Computer-Generated Imagery: images and animation made using computers.
Pioneer
A person or group who explores new ideas and leads the way for others.
Feature Film
A full-length movie (usually 75 to 100+ minutes) made for theaters.
Part 1 • 1979–1986
The Secret Tech Division
Long before hit movies, Pixar began in 1979 inside Lucasfilm, the company that made Star Wars. A computer scientist named Ed Catmull dreamed of making full-length computer-animated movies. At that time, computers were mostly used for numbers and science, not art. In 1986, Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) bought this computer graphics group for $10 million and helped establish it as an independent studio named Pixar.
Part 2 • 1986
Luxo Jr. and the Bouncing Lamp
In 1986, animator John Lasseter directed a two-minute animated short film titled Luxo Jr. It showed an adult desk lamp playing with an energetic baby desk lamp and a yellow rubber ball. The film was a breakthrough because it gave human feelings, humor, and personality to an everyday metal lamp. Today, that curious bouncing lamp is the official Pixar mascot seen at the start of every Pixar film.
Part 3 • 1991–1995
Toy Story: Making Cinema History
In 1991, Pixar made a historic deal with Walt Disney Studios to create the world’s very first entirely computer-animated feature film. Released in November 1995, Toy Story told the story of Woody, a cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger toy. Critics loved the clever dialogue and warm emotion. Toy Story earned over $373 million worldwide and proved that computer graphics could tell unforgettable stories.
Part 4 • Today
The Golden Rule: "Story is King"
Following Toy Story, Pixar created beloved classics such as Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles, and Inside Out. Pixar's creators follow a famous motto: "Story is king." Even though they write custom software and invent new animation technology, they believe a movie only succeeds when the characters and their emotions feel real to the audience.
Pixar Timeline: 1979 (Lucasfilm) → 1986 (Independent Studio & Luxo Jr.) → 1995 (Toy Story)
Turn page for questions →
Comprehension Check
Pixar Studio History Review
Refer back to page 1 to find your answers
1 Multiple Choice • Fill in the correct circle
1. Who purchased the computer graphics group in 1986 to help found Pixar?
A) George Lucas
B) Steve Jobs
C) Walt Disney
2. Why was the 1986 short film Luxo Jr. so important to computer animation?
A) It proved that computers could make animated objects express human emotion and personality.
B) It was the longest feature film ever released in movie theaters.
C) It was drawn by hand on traditional paper without using any computers.
3. What historic milestone did Pixar achieve in 1995 with the release of Toy Story?
A) First live-action film
B) First all-CGI feature film
C) First black-and-white film
2 Milestone Match • Write the letter of the correct description in the box
1. Ed Catmull
Letter:
2. Luxo Jr.
Letter:
3. 1995
Letter:
4. "Story is King"
Letter:
A. The year Toy Story was released in theaters worldwide.
B. The computer scientist who founded the graphics division.
C. Pixar's guiding belief that emotional plot matters most.
D. The playful bouncing desk lamp that became Pixar's mascot.
3 Short Written Response • Use the sentence starters to write your answers
Why was teamwork between computer scientists and artists necessary to create Pixar?
Sentence Starter: Scientists and artists had to work together because...
What does Pixar mean when they say "Story is king"?
Sentence Starter: This motto means that even with advanced computer graphics,...
Self-Check: I read the passage I answered all questions I checked my spelling
Total Score: _____ / 10
Pixar Animation Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Scoring & Support Guide
Pixar Studio History Answer Key
Total: 10 Points
Grade 10 Adapted Reading
Answers align directly with the chunked passages in the student reading worksheet.
Standard & Accommodated Grading
1 Part 1: Multiple Choice (3 Points • 1 pt each)
Text Reference
1. Correct: B) Steve Jobs
Jobs purchased the Lucasfilm computer division in 1986 for $10M to create Pixar.
Part 1
2. Correct: A) Proved computers could express human emotion and personality
Luxo Jr. proved everyday inanimate objects could convey warmth and charm.
Part 2
3. Correct: B) First all-CGI feature film
Toy Story was the world's very first feature-length 3D animated film.
Part 3
2 Part 2: Milestone Match (4 Points • 1 pt each)
Quick Grading Grid
1. Ed Catmull → Letter B Computer scientist
2. Luxo Jr. → Letter D Bouncing lamp mascot
3. 1995 → Letter A Toy Story theatrical release
4. "Story is King" → Letter C Pixar's guiding philosophy
3 Part 3: Guided Written Response (3 Points • 1.5 pts each)
Sample Responses & Criteria
Q1: Why was teamwork between scientists and artists necessary? 1.5 Pts
Model Answer: "Scientists and artists had to work together because the scientists knew how to write the software and create the technology, while the artists knew how to bring characters to life, draw expressions, and write meaningful stories."
Scoring Criteria: Award full credit (1.5 pts) if the student connects technology/software to art/storytelling. Award 1 pt if only one side is mentioned.
Q2: What does Pixar mean when they say "Story is king"? 1.5 Pts
Model Answer: "This motto means that even with advanced computer graphics, a movie only works if audiences care about the characters and their feelings. Technology is only a tool to tell an emotional story."
Scoring Criteria: Award full credit (1.5 pts) if the student recognizes that emotional story/character connection matters more than visual effects alone.
Accommodations & Grading Tips for Autistic Learners:
Content over Mechanics: Prioritize factual comprehension and logical reasoning over spelling, handwriting neatness, or minor grammar flaws.
