Today, Pixar Animation Studios has started the process of their largest restructuring to date as they let go of approximately 14 percent of their workforce (roughly 175 employees). According to The Hollywood Reporter, the layoffs are a part of Disney chief Bob Iger’s overarching mandate to return to a focus on quality, versus churning out content for streaming which was a priority for his short-lived successor, Bob Chapek.
News of the looming layoffs has been top of mind for employees since Disney first announced their layoffs in late 2023. The delay of layoffs for Pixar was in part of production schedules. It is reported that the layoffs will not affect senior/top management.
MEMO TO PIXAR STAFF
The full memo from Pixar President Jim Morris to staff on Tuesday is below:
Hello everyone.
I have spoken to you many times over the last year about our pending move away from series production for Disney+, the return to our focus on feature films, and the reduction in our team that would accompany that. That day is here, and while it is not coming as a surprise to anyone, it is one of the hardest changes we’ve had to make, as it means we will be parting with a number of talented and dedicated colleagues and friends.
Today, leaders will begin the process of notifying employees whose positions are being impacted. Calendar invites to speak with a leader have already gone out to those individuals, and we anticipate we will have connected with everyone impacted by the end of the day.
I want to assure you that will be providing extensive support as our colleagues start to transition out of the studio. We are committed to ensuring that their departure is handled with the utmost respect and care at every stage. This is important to me, and I understand how important this is to all of us in the Pixar community. I will host a brief Studio Meeting via Zoom this afternoon at 5:00 to talk more about today’s announcement.
Despite the challenges in our industry over the past few years, you have all consistently shown up to contribute, collaborate, innovate, lead, and do great work at this studio. I give you my deepest thanks, and for those who will be leaving us, I am hopeful that our paths will cross again, both professionally and personally.
PIXAR LAYOFF HISTORY
There may have been smaller layoffs or layoffs that happened before us starting our website, but within the last decade, the most significant layoffs were when Pixar closed Pixar Canada on October 9, 2013, and when they laid off approximately 30-60 employees due to the delayed release of The Good Dinosaur on November 22, 2013.
More recently, back in early June 2023, Disney/Pixar laid off 75 employees targeting veterans of the studio attached to Lightyear, such as Angus MacLane and Galyn Susman.
OUR THOUGHTS
The only thing we can hope is that the impacted employees were let go in as respectful of a way as possible.
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