Inside Pixar - Portraits: Marylou Jaso, Pastry Chef (S1E7)
Marylou Jaso has the sweetest job at Pixar - literally. As Pixar's Pastry Chef, she spends each day creating the confections and sweet treats that delight, inspire, and help feed the studio's creativity.
| Runtime (min) | 12 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-02-12 |
| Genres | Documentary |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Disney+ |
Storyline
This episode of Inside Pixar's "Portraits" series profiles Marylou Jaso, who holds the unique position of Pastry Chef at Pixar Animation Studios. The short documentary follows Marylou through her daily work creating desserts, pastries, and confections for the studio's employees. Viewers see her in the kitchen preparing various sweet treats that are served in Pixar's cafeteria and at special studio events.
The episode explores how Marylou's role extends beyond simply feeding people—her creations contribute to the studio's creative culture and help foster the collaborative environment that Pixar is known for. Through interviews and footage of her at work, the portrait reveals her passion for her craft and her pride in supporting the artists and filmmakers who bring Pixar's beloved films to life. The episode highlights how every role at the studio, even those outside animation, plays a part in the magic of moviemaking.
What kids learn
Children watching this episode learn that creative workplaces like Pixar depend on many different kinds of professionals working together, not just animators and directors. Marylou's story demonstrates that culinary arts are a legitimate and valued career path, and that bringing joy to others through food is meaningful work. Young viewers see that passion and dedication matter in any profession, whether you're drawing characters or baking pastries.
The episode also teaches children about the importance of supporting roles in any organization. Marylou's work helps fuel the creativity of others by providing nourishment and moments of delight throughout the workday. This illustrates how teams function best when everyone contributes their unique skills and talents. Children learn that there's dignity and purpose in all kinds of work, and that finding what you love to do—whatever that may be—is what matters most.
Additionally, kids gain insight into what a pastry chef actually does and the skill involved in creating beautiful, delicious desserts. The episode may inspire interest in cooking, baking, or other culinary pursuits while showing that these activities require both artistry and technical precision.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode appropriate for young children who might not understand documentary-style content? | Yes, this twelve-minute portrait is very accessible for young viewers. The format is straightforward, showing Marylou at work in the kitchen and talking about what she does. There's no complex narrative to follow, and the visual elements of pastry-making are engaging and easy to understand. Even preschoolers can grasp the basic concept that someone makes desserts for the people at Pixar, though older children will better appreciate the career and workplace themes. |
| Does this episode show any content that might upset sensitive children? | No, this is an entirely gentle, positive profile with no upsetting content. The episode focuses on Marylou's daily work creating pastries and desserts, with no conflict, tension, or anything remotely scary or sad. It's one of the most universally appropriate episodes in the Inside Pixar series, suitable even for very young or sensitive viewers who simply enjoy watching someone create beautiful food. |
| Will my child understand why Pixar has a pastry chef if they've only seen Pixar movies? | You may need to explain that Pixar is a workplace where hundreds of people come to work every day, not just a place where movies magically appear. The episode provides a good opportunity to discuss how large organizations function and how employees need to eat during their workday. Marylou's role helps children understand that movie studios are real places with cafeterias, kitchens, and staff who support the creative teams. |
| Can this episode help broaden my child's ideas about possible careers? | Absolutely. This portrait explicitly shows that working at a famous animation studio doesn't require being an animator. Marylou's story demonstrates that culinary professionals are valued in creative industries and that passion for food can lead to fulfilling work in unexpected places. It's an excellent conversation starter about how diverse skills and interests can find homes in all kinds of workplaces, and how every role contributes to a larger mission. |
| Is there educational value beyond just entertainment in this short episode? | Yes, the episode offers several educational elements. Children see the behind-the-scenes reality of a major studio, learn about the pastry chef profession, and gain understanding of workplace culture and collaboration. The documentary format itself teaches media literacy by showing how real people and their work are portrayed on screen. It also reinforces that creativity exists in many forms, not just in drawing or storytelling but also in culinary arts. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Authenticity is essential to creating a film that is believable and relatable. Co-Director Kemp Powers discusses the real-life experiences that led him to propose a simple, yet pivotal scene in Soul. |
| 1 | 2 | Inspiration isn't instant. Coming up with unique and creative characters takes time and effort. Character Designer Deanna Marsigliese takes us through the process of character creation and the artistic detours that often come with it. |
| 1 | 3 | Growing up in a small town in Canada, Steven Hunter never felt like he saw himself represented in cartoons and comic books. After getting the opportunity to direct a Pixar SparkShort, Steven was inspired by his own life to create 'Out,' a unique and vulnerable story he wished he saw in his youth. |
| 1 | 4 | Script Supervisor Jessica Heidt manages endless lines of dialogue. Through her script access, she detected a disparity in male to female roles, motivating her to create a program to improve gender balance throughout Pixar's films and the greater film industry. |
| 1 | 5 | Inspiration can be hard to come by. Sometimes it takes years to find, while other times it's been right under your nose. Director Dan Scanlon takes us on a personal journey of inspiration that led to his film, Onward. |
| 1 | 6 | Director of International Production Cynthia Lusk takes us into the fascinating world of localization. From translations to graphics to even changes in animation, Cynthia and her team work to make sure that Pixar’s films can connect and resonate to fans and families throughout the world. |
| 1 | 7 | Marylou Jaso has the sweetest job at Pixar - literally. As Pixar's Pastry Chef, she spends each day creating the confections and sweet treats that delight, inspire, and help feed the studio's creativity. |
| 1 | 8 | As Production Assistant on Pixar's Soul, Rachelle Federico hard work might not always be that glamorous, but she considers it an important and essential need in the creation of an animated film. |
| 1 | 9 | As a Music Editor, Barney Jones uses these talents to help shape the storytelling and emotion of a Pixar film. |
| 1 | 10 | No two days are the same for Patty Bonfilio. Join her on a VIP tour of the grounds and all of its hidden gems. |
| 1 | 11 | How exactly are animated films made using computer graphics? Pixar’s creative minds introduce and break down how a movie is made through understandable explanations using metaphors and examples. |
| 1 | 12 | From cars to fish to toys to superheroes, Pixar characters have unique personalities, designs, and traits. Join Pixar’s character artists and designers as they break down the process of developing a new character. |
| 1 | 13 | Camerawork is just as crucial in animation as it is in live action. Pixar’s layout artists explain the craft behind camera and staging, showcasing how camera positioning enhances emotion within a story. |
| 1 | 14 | Animation brings characters to life by making them move, feel, think, and talk. Pixar animators take us through the artistry of how they breathe life into characters authentically and explain the importance of acting (and eyebrows) in their craft. |
| 1 | 15 | Light and color are essential in conveying the time of day, creating unique worlds, and even evoking emotion. Pixar lighting directors and artists reveal how they illuminate a scene and how they utilize light and color for everything from terrifying twists to signature Pixar tearjerkers. |
| 1 | 16 | How can the passage of time be utilized as a tool for emotional storytelling? |
| 1 | 17 | From Ernesto de La Cruz to Lotso to Hopper, foes of all shapes and sizes are essential to many of our favorite Pixar movies. But what makes a good villain? |
| 1 | 18 | Pixar characters strive to strike a balance between realistic and caricatured. |
| 1 | 19 | Beyond the world of Cars, vehicles of all kinds have made their mark throughout Pixar’s films. |
| 1 | 20 | Take a deep dive into the art of crowds animation. Each of your favorite Pixar characters live in worlds populated by fellow fish, cars, toys, and humans, but creating thousands of these fully animated background characters is no easy feat. |
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