Disney animation exec Andrew Millstein has been named general manager for Walt Disney Animation Studios, and industry effects production veteran Jim Morris will take on a parallel role as general manager for Pixar Animation Studios
Both executives will be responsible for guiding overall operations of their respective studios, and will continue to oversee all aspects of production related to animated features, short films and special animated projects. They will report directly to Ed Catmull, president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.
Commenting on the announcement, Catmull said, "Jim and Andrew are two of the most talented, capable, and experienced production executives working in animation today, and we're fortunate to have them running the day-to-day operations of our two animation studios. Andrew has been a key player at Disney for over 11 years and has had experience running studios and dealing with all of the technical and creative issues associated with that role. Jim is one of the most respected figures in the world of special effects and was instrumental in creating some of ILM's greatest achievements. Most recently, he did an incredible job producing WALL-E for Pixar, and has assumed an important role in that studio's overall operations. As general managers, Andrew and Jim will continue to lend their guidance and expertise to all of our upcoming production efforts."
Morris joined Pixar Animation Studios in 2005, and most recently served as producer of the critically acclaimed 2008 summer blockbuster, WALL-E. Additionally, he has been responsible for managing the production of the studio's features, shorts, DVD content, and theme park activities. Prior to that, Morris held a range of key positions in various divisions of Lucasfilm Ltd. He served as president of Lucas Digital Ltd, and managed its two divisions -- Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound.
As ILM's general manager for more than 13 years, he supervised a staff of more than 1,400 artists and technicians, and guided the largest visual effects facility in the entertainment industry. During his tenure, ILM created the groundbreaking, Academy Award-winning visual effects in JURASSIC PARK, DEATH BECOMES HER, and FORREST GUMP. Other notable projects completed under his management include MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, TWISTER, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, STAR WARS: EPISODE I and II, THE PERFECT STORM, PEARL HARBOR, MINORITY REPORT, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, MASTER AND COMMANDER and the first three HARRY POTTER films.
Prior to serving as president and general manager, Morris was ILM's executive in charge of production, where he supervised all of the company's production.
Morris first came to ILM in 1987 as a producer of visual effects for films and commercials. He was subsequently promoted to ILM's executive in charge of production, where he supervised all of the company's production. THE ABYSS, which earned an Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects, and Spielberg's ALWAYS, are among Morris's producing credits. Prior to ILM, Morris served as an executive producer at Arnold & Associates, and One Pass. He also worked in the production departments at J. Walter Thompson, and Foote, Cone & Belding in San Francisco.
Additionally, Morris was Founding Chair of the Visual Effects Society where he served two more terms as chair. He is currently President of the San Francisco Film Commission. Morris started his career as a stop-motion animator and animation cameraman. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Film Production and a Master's degree in Television, both from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Millstein began his association with Disney in 1997 as a production executive in the Studio's Motion Pictures Group. He was soon promoted to general manager of Dreamquest Images and The Secret Lab, a division of Walt Disney Feature Animation that produced the digital effects for live-action films 101 DALMATIANS, REIGN OF FIRE, ARMAGEDDON, MIGHTY JOE YOUNG, INSPECTOR GADGET, among others. In 2001, he was named senior vice president/general manager of production for Walt Disney Animation Florida, where he oversaw all operations and production on BROTHER BEAR.
This was followed by a role as executive vice president for Disney's Circle 7 Animation unit. A native of Philadelphia, Millstein received a Bachelor's degree from Haverford College, and is a Masters candidate in Cinema and Anthropology from USC. Prior to joining Disney, he served as head of production for Digital Domain in Venice, California, where he oversaw visual effect production on APOLLO 13, THE FIFTH ELEMENT, DANTE'S PEAK, and TITANIC.
