Pixar’s Inside Out 2 hit by toxic workplace claims with staff ‘forced to work 7 days a week’ and laid off ‘before they could claim bonus’ on $1bn film
As a longtime admirer of Pixar’s groundbreaking animation and heartwarming stories, it’s disheartening to learn about the current state of things behind the scenes at this beloved studio. Having worked in the creative industry myself, I can relate to the feelings of those employees who feel let down by their leadership.
In the aftermath of Inside Out 2, Pixar’s blockbuster hit and the highest-grossing animated film ever, some ex-employees have criticized the studio environment as being unhealthy or hostile.
The movie starring Amy Poehler as Joy and Maya Hawke as Anxiety, which generated an impressive $1.67 billion at the box office, has been a financial triumph. However, employees have asserted that the film’s success may have come at the cost of their health and personal finances.
According to a recent IGN report, ten ex-Pixar employees claim they endured intense, round-the-clock pressure trying to ensure the movie’s success for a struggling studio, only to be let go without any recognition or bonus after their termination, as they no longer qualify due to their departure.
The workers at Pixar, a division of Walt Disney Studios, allege that they were abandoned during a tough time when, following the biggest studio crunch ever recorded, approximately 175 employees, representing 14% of the workforce, were let go in May.
It’s been suggested that Pixar was highly motivated to ensure the movie’s success because they were worried that prolonged lack of a blockbuster might lead to the studio’s closure.
One person mentioned that ‘everyone experienced a sense of pressure,’ and further elaborated, ‘I believe even today, there remains an unspoken tension among them, as if they collectively whispered, “Wow, we accomplished it, we truly achieved it.”‘
It is said that there were issues with the management of Inside Out, resulting in numerous last-minute adjustments. This necessitated the quick creation of tools as the project progressed.
According to a source, the animators were putting in long hours, working every day for approximately one to two months. The source added that there were an overwhelming number of production staff, many of whom were new to their roles. They described the situation as extremely difficult.
A senior executive at Pixar told the publication that the crunch at the end of Inside Out 2 was ‘no different from those on many other films from the studio.’
People who put in extended hours received overtime pay and had the option for time off instead, yet it was reported that the intense workload and manufacturing setup left everyone feeling drained.
Reports suggest the studio may heavily depend on its Chief Creative Officer, Pete Docter, to such an extent that it seems impossible to make decisions or execute projects without his involvement. In other words, Pete Docter appears to be indispensable in this setting.
As a seasoned observer of the dynamic work environments, I must admit that my recent insights into Pixar’s current climate paint a picture that’s less than ideal. The internal vibe seems to be quite challenging, with an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and frustration among team members, many expressing sentiments like, “I feel drained, I can’t keep going at this pace.
As a devoted enthusiast, I’ve come across some reports suggesting that Pixar allegedly aimed to tone down the LGBTQ+ representation in Inside Out 2, following the commercial disappointment of the 2022 release, Lightyear.
The film featured a same-sex kiss and was banned or censored in numerous countries – with sources claiming the scene was roundly blamed for the film’s failure.
The movie was reportedly undergo numerous revisions starting in September 2023, following the end of the WGA strike and eight months before its release. Specific attention was given to portraying the main character Riley’s bond with supporting character Val as ‘as platonic as possible.’
The allegation is that changes were made to particular scenes regarding lighting and mood, with the intention of eliminating any hint of romantic connection. A source mentioned this was done to prevent any possibility of viewers perceiving the characters as anything other than heterosexual.
In the spirit of transparency, I was among those who received the unfortunate news in January 2023. Disney, a company I’ve always admired, announced a strategic shift that year, which ultimately led to a company-wide restructuring involving approximately 7000 employees. As part of this realignment, I found myself impacted, along with 75 other colleagues, in June of the same year.
In May 2024, just prior to the premiere of Inside Out 2, there were widespread job cuts that marked the largest redundancy event in the company’s history.
As a diehard fan, I can’t help but share my feelings about Doctor’s recent revelation. Earlier this month, Doctor told Ankler about the layoffs, describing it as yet another oddity that made this year particularly bizarre. This downsizing, it seems, was a necessary step due to Pixar’s shift away from exclusive streaming projects.
Regrettably, Disney has reached a stage where they acknowledge that the expenses required to maintain their high-quality standards are no longer financially viable.
Previous workers criticized the studio for its seemingly disconnected jubilation over the film’s box office triumph, as those who had contributed to it had been let go. They likened the situation to witnessing an ex dating a celebrity, essentially saying, “I’m glad for you, but why?
As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but share my thoughts about the much-anticipated release of Elio. Originally slated for March 2024, its delay to June 2025 has been a source of frustration for many, including myself. However, it seems that this postponement has brought forth some challenging times for the dedicated team working tirelessly around the clock to rectify the issues that have arisen due to the delay.
The absence of bonuses left many employees in tears, lamenting that they had worked tirelessly throughout the year for this reward. Another report claimed that over 95% of those who were let go are currently struggling financially.
A person mentioned, “We labor throughout the entire year to earn that bonus. Part of why working at Pixar is rewarding is because we rely on that compensation.
A further source said allegedly being told by HR that the bonus was only for active employees felt like a f**k you from Disney.
Reports indicate that the bonus is significant due to the fact that the average salary at Pixar, in their home city of Emeryville, CA, is perceived as relatively low compared to the area’s standards. However, employees who spoke with the publication did commend the company for offering robust health and mental health benefits.
At Pixar, the staff members are not part of a union under The Animation Guild (TAG), which means that Pixar is not subject to union regulations or wages.
They’ve been operating out of self-preservation, prioritizing maintaining their own authority within their roles. This behavior seems rooted in fear, and it’s causing a significant drop in morale because employees no longer believe their leaders are acting in their best interests.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Disney and Pixar for comment.
By June, the earnings of Inside Out 2 exceeded those of Frozen II (released in 2019) globally at the box office, reaching approximately $1.45 billion.
In November 2019, the Disney Animation film Frozen II raked in a staggering global total of $1.451 billion upon its release. Of this grand sum, it earned $477 million within the United States and a further $972 million from international box offices, as reported by Box Office Mojo.
After Inside Out 2 became number one, Frozen II moved into the second position among the highest-grossing animated films of all time, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
As a lifestyle expert, I can share that by the year 2023, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is expected to join an elite group of films that have grossed over a billion dollars at the box office, following in the footsteps of Frozen (released in 2013) with $1.27 billion, Incredibles 2 (2018) with $1.24 billion, Minions (2015) with $1.15 billion, Toy Story 4 (2019) with $1.07 billion, Despicable Me 3 (2017) with $1.03 billion, and Finding Dory (2016) with a cool $1 billion. These blockbusters have captivated audiences worldwide, demonstrating the power of storytelling and entertainment in our culture today.
All in all, Inside Out 2 has now outperformed the blockbuster movie Barbie (released in 2023 with a gross of $1.44 billion), becoming the highest-grossing film since its release in theaters last summer.
Earlier this month, the movie surpassed Incredibles 2’s global box office earnings to become the highest-grossing Pixar film of all time, not considering inflation.
As an over-the-moon fanatic, I can’t contain my excitement about the phenomenal success of Inside Out 2! This film has surpassed all expectations, becoming the year’s top earner thus far – a much-needed triumph for Pixar and Disney following a series of films that didn’t quite hit their mark, like Lightyear, Strange World, and Elemental in recent years.
The second installment of Inside Out was helmed by Kelsey Mann, with Ayo Edebiri, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Lilimar, and Grace Lu in the ensemble.
The plot of the film revolves around a 13-year-old girl called Riley (Tallman), who is navigating a variety of fresh feelings as she experiences puberty and begins her high school journey.
In the original film, feelings such as Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust were present. Now, additional emotions like Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, Boredom (Ennui), and Nostalgia have been introduced.
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2024-09-17 01:05