Enter Through the Gift Shop: Staphon Arnold and Hannah Chu’s Pixar Journey

Join us for a special presentation by Pixar Animation Studios employees Staphon Arnold and Hannah Chu as they share the stories of their unique career paths at Pixar Animation Studios, and provide insights into the inner workings of the Emeryville-based creative powerhouse.

Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who shall be responsible for the child at all times.

Tickets for Enter Through the Gift Shop: Staphon Arnold and Hannah Chu’s Pixar Journey are available as follows:

• Walt’s Circle Donors: Purchase tickets beginning Tuesday, February 27 at noon PST by calling 415.345.6810 or emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• Founding, Supporter, and Friend-level members: Purchase tickets beginning Wednesday, February 28 at noon PST by calling 415.345.6810 or emailing membership@wdfmuseum.org.
• All member levels: Purchase tickets online beginning Thursday, February 29 at noon PST.
• Public (non-members): Remaining tickets are available online beginning Friday, March 1 at noon PST.

Staphon Arnold began at Pixar Animation Studios in May 2017. Currently he serves as the Content and Training Specialist for the Pixar University Team, supporting the platform used for documentation across the studio, and assists with learning enrichment for creative applications. He also served on as a leader in the African American/Black studio resource group for four years.

Arnold grew up in the Inland Empire in Southern California, attending Azusa Pacific University where he studied graphic design and IT. Arnold has also been active with side projects, representing Pixar's Outreach Department via Starlight Children's Foundation hospital gown designs, Disney's presence at Essence Festival 2022, and a variety of Pixar and Disney social network promotions.

Arnold currently resides in Martinez, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Hannah Chu is currently Sr. Assistant to the Producers on Disney and Pixar’s upcoming feature film Elio (2025). She first visited the Pixar campus when her brother auditioned for the role of Russell in UP (2009), and was immediately enchanted by the electric creative atmosphere.

After graduating from Biola University’s Cinema & Media Arts program, Chu started her Pixar career in the Studio Store (still one of her favorite experiences). She eventually moved to the studio’s professional development department, Pixar University, and then to the Leadership Development branch as their coordinator. In Fall 2021, Chu jumped over to Production Management as the Assistant to the Producer and Directors on Disney and Pixar’s upcoming episodic streaming series Win or Lose (2024).

Beyond production, Chu co-founded and co-led Pixar’s Asian studio resource group, Asiana, for four years, and loves participating in initiatives to build collaboration and camaraderie at the studio.