Pixar Shorts:
Luxo Jr.

The story is all emotion driven - how can you make two lamps into a parent and child relationship? The shot was simple - no background and only one location.

In this film, the photorealism had also drastically improved in the two years since The Adventures of Andre and Wally B. The Pixar logo became the leaping Luxo Jr. lamp and the signature ball with a star has made many appearances and is associated with the studio as well.

The short film was showcased at the 1986 SIGGRAPH convention in Dallas, Texas in front of 6,000 participants and was met with thunderous applause and approval. A breakthrough had occurred with this film and it was nominated for an Oscar in 1987.

Luxo Jr. was released with Toy Story 2.

Luxo Jr. Plot

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A rubber ball rolls up to a tall Luxo desk lamp that bends around to examine it. The lamp bumps the ball back, off screen. The ball rolls back as the lamp follows it and it bumps again, playfully. The ball returns again, but it rolls past this time and the lamp looks off.

A little baby lamp jumps into the scene and stops to look up at the parent lamp. This little lamp jumps on to get the ball and brings it back. He then jumps onto the ball, but it deflates and he doesn't understand what happened. Luxo admonishes Luxo Jr. and the little lamp leaves, dejected, only to return chasing a big beach ball!

Luxo Jr. in Sesame Street!

Many people don't know this but there was a series of Pixar shorts created for Sesame Street! These four shorts are available on the Pixar Short Films Collection - Volume 1.

First is Surprise

Next is Light and Heavy

And then there's Up and Down

Lastly, presenting Front and Back