Time for a sentimental story: 10 years ago, I was a quiet, scared high school graduate taking a tour of the Art Building at San Jose State and a group of Animation students walked us into a small side room they called the “Pencil Test Lab” where you would work on your 2D animations. On the walls of this crammed space were hundreds of drawings, images, and posters, but what immediately caught my eye in the top corner of this room was a large poster of Jessie from Toy Story 2. When I saw it, I knew right away that this was the school I wanted to go to, and animation was the right career for me. And so ever since then– in some form or another– I have kept a version of that image with me through the years. Friends and coworkers will joke with me from time to time for always having a depressing poster by my desk, but to me this image isn’t about me trying to feel down or sad. To me it represents everything I worked towards and strived to be as an animator. To me it is a constant reminder of why I love to do this. I started learning animation in August of 2009 with that image of Jessie quietly looking down at me. And now 10 years later, I had to opportunity to work on Toy Story 4, and Jessie was still right there along side me. In a way I feel this latest Toy Story film is all about remembering your purpose, understanding your past, and moving forward from there onto the next chapter. I’m looking forward to the next 10 years, and I’m really excited for what that next chapter will bring. Congrats to the entire crew for creating such a special film, and I hope you all enjoy Toy Story 4 too! #pixar #toystory #toystory4 #jessiethecowgirl #woody #bopeep #behindthescenes #toystory2 #animation #reminiscing #proud #sentimental (at Pixar) https://www.instagram.com/p/By_WB_rgTl_/?igshid=1796gd0l3hgm8
