listen mate. lets not get personal. if my posts continue to annoy you please ignore them, i have no interest in arguing with you. you may carry on.
Thank You animated Ape for enlightening Skinny Lizard on the issue of my previous post, I don't know which is worse, a person who talks before they think or someone who just pretends.
I did not need remind him that WB is apart of Time Warner, if he knows everything in the world I just thought he would be smart enough to do research, at least.
Yes, there will be no more WB, we are forming an amalgamation with UPN, supposedly forming a new network powerhouse called "CW," go figure.
Check out my poll concerning this issue.
I know I shouldn't get involved, but...
Woah! Why do you keep attacking Skinny? I don't see anything in any of Skinny's previous posts to suggest that he was attacking you (or even claiming to know "everything in the world"). We're all talking theory and conjecture here... guessing at what will happen next. Maybe you should chill a little and take your own advice, and think before you speak (and not just pretend to).
Skinny has a good point, the WB's view of animation is different than Disney's. Where Disney uses animation to sell everything else (that's simplifying to be sure, but you say what does Disney do, and the average Joe will say, "Animation"), the WB's view of animation is much smaller, limited to Saturday morning and afternoons.
Along those same lines, Disney has had comparatively little representation animation-wise in the broadcast realm (I'm talking broadcast, not cable). WB is airing cartoons an hour before ABC stops showing the news, and continues for 2 hours after ABC starts broadcasting Football/Basketball/Popeil on Saturday mornings. The WB plays cartoons for 2-3 hours in the afternoon during the week, ABC is playing whatever syndicated talk/judge show the local affiliate can get. Even Disney Channel barely plays cartoons (what a bummer that was when they first announced the channel several decades ago, to find out that they wouldn't be playing classic cartoons!). As far as the animation market on television, WB (and it's affiliates) far outweighs Disney, in my opinion.
The Pixar merger will have little effect on the broadcast animation industry. That is, unless Jobs and Lasseter want to renew focus on broadcast animation, which I think is unlikely when there's so much money to be had with billion dollar feature releases. But who knows? Perhaps that's what they'll retool Disney Animation to tackle.
The only folks who might feel insecure might be the folks of Pixar- being gulped up by a corporate giant.
Nervous, maybe; insecure - I doubt it. The team at Pixar isn't stupid; they know who's been bringing home the bacon for both companies for the past 10 years.
The insecure folks have got to be the people at Circle 7 animation, the Disney arm set up specifically to work on Toy Story 3. Both Iger and Jobs said in their conference call that Pixar will be doing all future sequels to Pixar films. So where does that leave Circle 7? Dangling, is my guess...
Woah! Why do you keep attacking Skinny? I don't see anything in any of Skinny's previous posts to suggest that he was attacking you (or even claiming to know "everything in the world"). We're all talking theory and conjecture here... guessing at what will happen next. Maybe you should chill a little and take your own advice, and think before you speak (and not just pretend to).
Skinny has a good point, the WB's view of animation is different than Disney's. Where Disney uses animation to sell everything else (that's simplifying to be sure, but you say what does Disney do, and the average Joe will say, "Animation"), the WB's view of animation is much smaller, limited to Saturday morning and afternoons.
Along those same lines, Disney has had comparatively little representation animation-wise in the broadcast realm (I'm talking broadcast, not cable). WB is airing cartoons an hour before ABC stops showing the news, and continues for 2 hours after ABC starts broadcasting Football/Basketball/Popeil on Saturday mornings. The WB plays cartoons for 2-3 hours in the afternoon during the week, ABC is playing whatever syndicated talk/judge show the local affiliate can get. Even Disney Channel barely plays cartoons (what a bummer that was when they first announced the channel several decades ago, to find out that they wouldn't be playing classic cartoons!). As far as the animation market on television, WB (and it's affiliates) far outweighs Disney, in my opinion.
The Pixar merger will have little effect on the broadcast animation industry. That is, unless Jobs and Lasseter want to renew focus on broadcast animation, which I think is unlikely when there's so much money to be had with billion dollar feature releases. But who knows? Perhaps that's what they'll retool Disney Animation to tackle.
Wow! you guys should just chill for a few, I was in no way being harsh to skin liz, or at least that was not my intent, you don't have to be so synnical, relax.
I don't have a problem with any of you, why make one? I just found that he always has a tendancy to react to certain things that he somehow always blows out of proportion, why? I am not mean and I love all of you....I mean that, truly I do, you always make me laugh when I come here and get me fired up during the day (a secret, that's why I take at least 5 minuites to log on) sometimes the people I'm with are such jerks, pompus conceited rich folk, who always say, "oh dear these commoners are bitter today, aren't they?"
REALLY, I'M NOT LYING, they do say that, funny isn't it :D
I am grateful for the day I joined this community of such fun and interesting people, my word you guys are my friends and I will never want to in any way, break that apart :)
See, you got me all emotional, now I'll think about this all day :(
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
Sorry to bum you out, but if you're trying to be helpful and take part in this community you love so much, it might be better if you refrained from calling people ignorant when they're expressing their opinions (as valid as yours, whether you agree or not). Your posts back to Skinny have been less than polite recently (and I'd go so far as to say, unnecessarily insulting). Perhaps I'm not reading between the lines, but Skinny hasn't posted anything that blew anything out of proportion (at least not on this thread :D), just his opinions and thoughts on things. Out of proportion? "DIEMERAS, Kettle's on the phone. He called to tell you something."
Disagreeing is one thing, calling someone ignorant, etc. is usually (definitely in this case) unnecessary.
Sorry to bum you out, but if you're trying to be helpful and take part in this community you love so much, it might be better if you refrained from calling people ignorant when they're expressing their opinions (as valid as yours, whether you agree or not). Your posts back to Skinny have been less than polite recently (and I'd go so far as to say, unnecessarily insulting). Perhaps I'm not reading between the lines, but Skinny hasn't posted anything that blew anything out of proportion (at least not on this thread :D), just his opinions and thoughts on things. Out of proportion? "DIEMERAS, Kettle's on the phone. He called to tell you something."
Disagreeing is one thing, calling someone ignorant, etc. is usually (definitely in this case) unnecessary.
I see your point, but hey, what's that I hear? oh... it's something from the stars they say,
Although blind to things unseen one should discover that not everyman is waht he seems.
Do you really know your friend Skin Liz, lately he seems to target me for some reason, I don't know if he going through a rough time but hey if you insult me I'll be a gentle man and take it easy, do it again and I'll wane, but a third time.......Hell No!
Hey Listen, you are a noble person and I respect that, but don't make this only about me, I can argueably show you that both of us are to blame, but hey you know what, I'm so over this, no matter waht I say you people will always defend him, I only stood up for myself, I did it like a gentleman and I did it like a hood rat, but no matter the odds.....................Hmh I am at a loss for words to see how you don't even see that I mean no harm and that you are so blind to the fact that........oh forget it, it's no use :(
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
I see your point, but hey, what's that I hear? oh... it's something from the stars they say,
Although blind to things unseen one should discover that not everyman is waht he seems.
Do you really know your friend Skin Liz, lately he seems to target me for some reason, I don't know if he going through a rough time but hey if you insult me I'll be a gentle man and take it easy, do it again and I'll wane, but a third time.......Hell No!
Hey Listen, you are a noble person and I respect that, but don't make this only about me, I can argueably show you that both of us are to blame, but hey you know what, I'm so over this, no matter waht I say you people will always defend him, I only stood up for myself, I did it like a gentleman and I did it like a hood rat, but no matter the odds.....................Hmh I am at a loss for words to see how you don't even see that I mean no harm and that you are so blind to the fact that........oh forget it, it's no use :(
I'm not sure where there was anything to stand up against (at least in this thread), but I'm glad that you are over it. We can all commence chilling :D
I'm not sure where there was anything to stand up against (at least in this thread), but I'm glad that you are over it. We can all commence chilling :D
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, you little kidder you, you guys are absolutely hillarious
and yes I am over it, never was on it, and never will be beside it :D
hey if I could only understand Skinny's problem, I would be very happy, maybe I should ask him?
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, you little kidder you, you guys are absolutely hillarious
and yes I am over it, never was on it, and never will be beside it :D
hey if I could only understand Skinny's problem, I would be very happy, maybe I should ask him?
Now that's not the kind of talk one hears from someone who is truly over it, is it DIEMERAS? (it works better if you imagine my glasses pushed down my nose a little as I look over them at you :cool: )
This ones for the best though. It does suck for the talented people that were working on that project. Hopefully they'll be re-absorbed into Disney/PIXAR.
Aloha,
the Ape
Its way too early to tell what's going to happen with the deal going down as is.
Wait six months, wait for announcements of new appointments, new projects and if any new "philosophies" are adopted.
Then we can talk.
Actually, just a few days after this business transaction comes news from the inside that could affect Pixar's near future. Check it out. :eek: (scroll down to the last post.)
This ones for the best though. It does suck for the talented people that were working on that project. Hopefully they'll be re-absorbed into Disney/PIXAR.
Aloha,
the Ape
Can you post the article or summarize, Ape? I got a log-in prompt.
Actually, just a few days after this business transaction comes news from the inside that could affect Pixar's near future. Check it out. :eek: (scroll down to the last post.)
I'm not surprised; I imagine there's lots of concern about executive meddling by guys in mouse ears among the folks in Emeryville right now. Still, that petition wasn't signed by 2/3rds of the staff, so...
As for the defecting animators, eh...happens all the time. Some of them may really want to work in games, some may find that having the "P" word on their resumes allows them to write their own ticket. Somehow, I doubt that Pixar's at a loss for applicants to fill those open slots... :D
From a corporate standpoint i think Pixar into Disney isnt the big news, the big news is Jobs and Disney and how that relationship will progress because i really dont think Steve Jobs is going to let Disney make stupid moves considering he is now their single largest shareholder. It will be interesting how Iger & Jobs progress from here.
Key thing is what happens to the current production team at Disney the one that made chicken little and is working on the other films. Obviously some of them will get pushed into the pixar team but i wonder if they will need two-three teams working for them at the same time. The way i see it future Disney projects would be taken over by the Pixar production team. Pixar could also help with future Disney projects such as the Glen Keane helmed Rapunzel Unbraided, if that is even in the play for now. Personally i can see them doing maybe 2 films at the same time, so i wouldnt expect a lot of people to get laid off but they wont need 2 of everything. They could have one unit that makes Incredibles like movies and one that makes smaller straight to video ones.
From the looks of it John Lass has the power to greenlight projects with ultimate approval lying with Iger. So this is pretty potent stuff, Disney folk might get elbowed out all together.
don't be surprised if steve jobs heads disney this look like his master stroke....head of disney and apple... disneys 32 bil thats what he is eying ..igner will be swept away. :)
Actually, just a few days after this business transaction comes news from the inside that could affect Pixar's near future. Check it out. :eek: (scroll down to the last post.)
Well, again, its still early.
Remember, at least for now, that Disney BOUGHT Pixar, not the other way around.
There's still a LOT of entrenched management at Disney that's done things the...ahem........."Eisner" way for over a decade now. Case in point, first thing that was done was to announce the closing of the Circle 7 studio--were the faux-Pixar Disney sequels were have been done.
The early word is that the management will "try" to absorb the staff into other areas of the company.
This being the same management that, again, has been used to doing things the Eisner way.
Hence, some of these folks will be pink-slipped.
Yea, that's a lot to celebrate.
Yes, its said it was Lasseter's decision---and yes, it might be a SOUND decision.
The shareholders still have a say in all this, and Jobs' task is to keep them happy and try to turn the tide of stagnation.
Disney might simply have too much rot in its system--people don't seem to consider that. It could take YEARS to get the proper management, with the right mindset back in place--to do things the "old" way. How much patience are Jobs and Lasseter going to have? How much are the shareholders going to have?
I'm just this side of leery because I've been trained over the past 20+ years to be leery--out of survival.
Pixar has jumped in bed with its "enemy"--taken over the enemy's roost and the onlookers have cried out a victory. But the enemy is still IN the roost.
Six months.
A year, tops--and we'll see what the vibe is, and if its changed at all. I remain guarded--things are still volatile. Its too early to celebrate anything, imo--and too early to forecast doom either.
I will watch.
"Deal Ends Quarrel Over Pixar Sequels
Disney is expected to give up its special unit that has been working on 'Toy Story 3.'
By Claudia Eller, Times Staff Writer
Walt Disney Co. may soon own Pixar Animation Studios, but in at least one key area — sequels — the media giant has already ceded control to the company it is buying.
Last year, when Bob Iger took the reins at Disney, he inherited a small animation unit that his studio had created expressly to produce sequels to Pixar hits.
Staffed with artists who had no connection to the original films, the operation — nicknamed Pixaren't — was seen by many in the animation community as Disney overstepping its bounds. As Pixar and Disney weighed whether to extend their long-term distribution deal, some believed Disney was saying, in effect: We can do this without you.
Apparently, Disney can't.
The announcement this week that Disney would buy Pixar for $7.4 billion promised sweeping changes at the Burbank entertainment company, whose entire animation group would soon be handed over to Pixar's creative director, John Lasseter, and Pixar President Ed Catmull.
In remarks made during a Tuesday conference call with analysts, Iger and Pixar Chief Executive Steve Jobs implied what other sources confirmed Wednesday: that Disney's 150-plus-person Pixar sequels unit — which is housed in a Glendale warehouse and is already at work on "Toy Story 3" — will soon be no more.
"We feel very strongly that if the sequels are going to be made, we want the people who were involved in the original films involved in the sequels," Jobs said.
Iger sounded the same note.
"It was really important to me that the people who made the films originally, who had the vision, who knew the characters and the essence of these films get a shot at making any films that were derivative," the Disney chief said.
"While Disney might have been able to make them, Pixar making them is just so much different," Iger added. "Not to take away from the talent of other people who might have been picked to make them."
Although Disney is planning to shutter the sequels unit, which is officially named Circle 7 after the street where it is situated, that does not necessarily mean all of its employees will be let go. Some are expected to be absorbed into Disney's core animation division.
On Wednesday, Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said, "All of the sequels to Pixar movies will be made by Pixar. We are clearly going to look at all of the talent that has been assembled and figure out where we go from here."
Already, the Circle 7 group has spent months in pre-production on "Toy Story 3," the third installment of the successful Buzz Lightyear and Woody adventure series. Under director Bradley Raymond, who made Disney's direct-to-video sequel "The Lion King 1 1/2 ," models are being built and the script by Jim Herzfeld and Jared Stern is being revised.
As conceived thus far, the story follows what happens when Buzz is recalled to the toy factory in Taiwan and has to be saved from doom by his fellow toys.
Now, it looks as if all or some of that work may be in vain.
Lasseter, the creator and director of the original "Toy Story" movies, has made no secret of his protective feelings for the successful franchise. In fact, he shared long ago with close associates a different story line that he envisioned as the final chapter in a trilogy.
Lasseter and Catmull were unavailable for comment Wednesday because they were visiting Disney's Burbank studio, addressing the animators who would soon report to them.
In a move some saw as symbolic, Tuesday's announcement of the acquisition deal was made from Pixar's Emeryville, Calif., headquarters, where Lasseter and Catmull will continue to be based.
The issue of sequels had long been a major bone of contention between Jobs and former Disney chief Michael Eisner. Although Disney had the right to control them under its 15-year co-financing and distribution agreement with Pixar, Jobs had made clear that it would do so at its peril.
Last year, Eisner gave his blessing to launch the Circle 7 Pixar sequel unit. A month later, Jobs told analysts, "We have made the decision not to actively participate in creating sequels to our films co-financed by Disney."
Jobs has repeatedly said that despite the success of 1999's "Toy Story 2" — which grossed more than $245 million domestically — he would rather have Pixar focus on creating new stories than work on sequels.
One of the first cracks in the companies' otherwise solid partnership came in 2001 when Eisner and Jobs had a public spat over a proposed "Toy Story 3" sequel.
Eisner insisted on standing by the letter of Disney's contract stipulating that sequels did not count toward the films Pixar owed the studio. Jobs argued that they should count.
Now, when it comes to sequels, it is Pixar that will decide what counts.
I bet Eisner is rolling in his grave over this one.
Comments
listen mate. lets not get personal. if my posts continue to annoy you please ignore them, i have no interest in arguing with you. you may carry on.
I know I shouldn't get involved, but...
Woah! Why do you keep attacking Skinny? I don't see anything in any of Skinny's previous posts to suggest that he was attacking you (or even claiming to know "everything in the world"). We're all talking theory and conjecture here... guessing at what will happen next. Maybe you should chill a little and take your own advice, and think before you speak (and not just pretend to).
Skinny has a good point, the WB's view of animation is different than Disney's. Where Disney uses animation to sell everything else (that's simplifying to be sure, but you say what does Disney do, and the average Joe will say, "Animation"), the WB's view of animation is much smaller, limited to Saturday morning and afternoons.
Along those same lines, Disney has had comparatively little representation animation-wise in the broadcast realm (I'm talking broadcast, not cable). WB is airing cartoons an hour before ABC stops showing the news, and continues for 2 hours after ABC starts broadcasting Football/Basketball/Popeil on Saturday mornings. The WB plays cartoons for 2-3 hours in the afternoon during the week, ABC is playing whatever syndicated talk/judge show the local affiliate can get. Even Disney Channel barely plays cartoons (what a bummer that was when they first announced the channel several decades ago, to find out that they wouldn't be playing classic cartoons!). As far as the animation market on television, WB (and it's affiliates) far outweighs Disney, in my opinion.
The Pixar merger will have little effect on the broadcast animation industry. That is, unless Jobs and Lasseter want to renew focus on broadcast animation, which I think is unlikely when there's so much money to be had with billion dollar feature releases. But who knows? Perhaps that's what they'll retool Disney Animation to tackle.
Nervous, maybe; insecure - I doubt it. The team at Pixar isn't stupid; they know who's been bringing home the bacon for both companies for the past 10 years.
The insecure folks have got to be the people at Circle 7 animation, the Disney arm set up specifically to work on Toy Story 3. Both Iger and Jobs said in their conference call that Pixar will be doing all future sequels to Pixar films. So where does that leave Circle 7? Dangling, is my guess...
http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=15957
Another link in the chain of events.
Aloha,
the Ape
Listen!
Wow! you guys should just chill for a few, I was in no way being harsh to skin liz, or at least that was not my intent, you don't have to be so synnical, relax.
I don't have a problem with any of you, why make one? I just found that he always has a tendancy to react to certain things that he somehow always blows out of proportion, why? I am not mean and I love all of you....I mean that, truly I do, you always make me laugh when I come here and get me fired up during the day (a secret, that's why I take at least 5 minuites to log on) sometimes the people I'm with are such jerks, pompus conceited rich folk, who always say, "oh dear these commoners are bitter today, aren't they?"
REALLY, I'M NOT LYING, they do say that, funny isn't it :D
I am grateful for the day I joined this community of such fun and interesting people, my word you guys are my friends and I will never want to in any way, break that apart :)
See, you got me all emotional, now I'll think about this all day :(
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
Sorry to bum you out, but if you're trying to be helpful and take part in this community you love so much, it might be better if you refrained from calling people ignorant when they're expressing their opinions (as valid as yours, whether you agree or not). Your posts back to Skinny have been less than polite recently (and I'd go so far as to say, unnecessarily insulting). Perhaps I'm not reading between the lines, but Skinny hasn't posted anything that blew anything out of proportion (at least not on this thread :D), just his opinions and thoughts on things. Out of proportion? "DIEMERAS, Kettle's on the phone. He called to tell you something."
Disagreeing is one thing, calling someone ignorant, etc. is usually (definitely in this case) unnecessary.
True
I see your point, but hey, what's that I hear? oh... it's something from the stars they say,
Although blind to things unseen one should discover that not everyman is waht he seems.
Do you really know your friend Skin Liz, lately he seems to target me for some reason, I don't know if he going through a rough time but hey if you insult me I'll be a gentle man and take it easy, do it again and I'll wane, but a third time.......Hell No!
Hey Listen, you are a noble person and I respect that, but don't make this only about me, I can argueably show you that both of us are to blame, but hey you know what, I'm so over this, no matter waht I say you people will always defend him, I only stood up for myself, I did it like a gentleman and I did it like a hood rat, but no matter the odds.....................Hmh I am at a loss for words to see how you don't even see that I mean no harm and that you are so blind to the fact that........oh forget it, it's no use :(
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
I'm not sure where there was anything to stand up against (at least in this thread), but I'm glad that you are over it. We can all commence chilling :D
hey
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, you little kidder you, you guys are absolutely hillarious
and yes I am over it, never was on it, and never will be beside it :D
hey if I could only understand Skinny's problem, I would be very happy, maybe I should ask him?
He who seeks the truth, must first empty his heart of a false pursuit.
Diemeras Dark Angel
Now that's not the kind of talk one hears from someone who is truly over it, is it DIEMERAS? (it works better if you imagine my glasses pushed down my nose a little as I look over them at you :cool: )
Alright you guys...
Don't make me turn this car around.... :D
More fall out from the buy-out.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-pixarent26jan26,1,6907794.story?coll=la-headlines-business&ctrack=1&cset=true
This ones for the best though. It does suck for the talented people that were working on that project. Hopefully they'll be re-absorbed into Disney/PIXAR.
Aloha,
the Ape
Actually, just a few days after this business transaction comes news from the inside that could affect Pixar's near future. Check it out. :eek: (scroll down to the last post.)
Can you post the article or summarize, Ape? I got a log-in prompt.
I'm not surprised; I imagine there's lots of concern about executive meddling by guys in mouse ears among the folks in Emeryville right now. Still, that petition wasn't signed by 2/3rds of the staff, so...
As for the defecting animators, eh...happens all the time. Some of them may really want to work in games, some may find that having the "P" word on their resumes allows them to write their own ticket. Somehow, I doubt that Pixar's at a loss for applicants to fill those open slots... :D
From a corporate standpoint i think Pixar into Disney isnt the big news, the big news is Jobs and Disney and how that relationship will progress because i really dont think Steve Jobs is going to let Disney make stupid moves considering he is now their single largest shareholder. It will be interesting how Iger & Jobs progress from here.
Key thing is what happens to the current production team at Disney the one that made chicken little and is working on the other films. Obviously some of them will get pushed into the pixar team but i wonder if they will need two-three teams working for them at the same time. The way i see it future Disney projects would be taken over by the Pixar production team. Pixar could also help with future Disney projects such as the Glen Keane helmed Rapunzel Unbraided, if that is even in the play for now. Personally i can see them doing maybe 2 films at the same time, so i wouldnt expect a lot of people to get laid off but they wont need 2 of everything. They could have one unit that makes Incredibles like movies and one that makes smaller straight to video ones.
From the looks of it John Lass has the power to greenlight projects with ultimate approval lying with Iger. So this is pretty potent stuff, Disney folk might get elbowed out all together.
i smell a rat
folks
don't be surprised if steve jobs heads disney this look like his master stroke....head of disney and apple... disneys 32 bil thats what he is eying ..igner will be swept away. :)
Well, again, its still early.
Remember, at least for now, that Disney BOUGHT Pixar, not the other way around.
There's still a LOT of entrenched management at Disney that's done things the...ahem........."Eisner" way for over a decade now. Case in point, first thing that was done was to announce the closing of the Circle 7 studio--were the faux-Pixar Disney sequels were have been done.
The early word is that the management will "try" to absorb the staff into other areas of the company.
This being the same management that, again, has been used to doing things the Eisner way.
Hence, some of these folks will be pink-slipped.
Yea, that's a lot to celebrate.
Yes, its said it was Lasseter's decision---and yes, it might be a SOUND decision.
The shareholders still have a say in all this, and Jobs' task is to keep them happy and try to turn the tide of stagnation.
Disney might simply have too much rot in its system--people don't seem to consider that. It could take YEARS to get the proper management, with the right mindset back in place--to do things the "old" way. How much patience are Jobs and Lasseter going to have? How much are the shareholders going to have?
I'm just this side of leery because I've been trained over the past 20+ years to be leery--out of survival.
Pixar has jumped in bed with its "enemy"--taken over the enemy's roost and the onlookers have cried out a victory. But the enemy is still IN the roost.
Six months.
A year, tops--and we'll see what the vibe is, and if its changed at all. I remain guarded--things are still volatile. Its too early to celebrate anything, imo--and too early to forecast doom either.
I will watch.
"Deal Ends Quarrel Over Pixar Sequels
Disney is expected to give up its special unit that has been working on 'Toy Story 3.'
By Claudia Eller, Times Staff Writer
Walt Disney Co. may soon own Pixar Animation Studios, but in at least one key area — sequels — the media giant has already ceded control to the company it is buying.
Last year, when Bob Iger took the reins at Disney, he inherited a small animation unit that his studio had created expressly to produce sequels to Pixar hits.
Staffed with artists who had no connection to the original films, the operation — nicknamed Pixaren't — was seen by many in the animation community as Disney overstepping its bounds. As Pixar and Disney weighed whether to extend their long-term distribution deal, some believed Disney was saying, in effect: We can do this without you.
Apparently, Disney can't.
The announcement this week that Disney would buy Pixar for $7.4 billion promised sweeping changes at the Burbank entertainment company, whose entire animation group would soon be handed over to Pixar's creative director, John Lasseter, and Pixar President Ed Catmull.
In remarks made during a Tuesday conference call with analysts, Iger and Pixar Chief Executive Steve Jobs implied what other sources confirmed Wednesday: that Disney's 150-plus-person Pixar sequels unit — which is housed in a Glendale warehouse and is already at work on "Toy Story 3" — will soon be no more.
"We feel very strongly that if the sequels are going to be made, we want the people who were involved in the original films involved in the sequels," Jobs said.
Iger sounded the same note.
"It was really important to me that the people who made the films originally, who had the vision, who knew the characters and the essence of these films get a shot at making any films that were derivative," the Disney chief said.
"While Disney might have been able to make them, Pixar making them is just so much different," Iger added. "Not to take away from the talent of other people who might have been picked to make them."
Although Disney is planning to shutter the sequels unit, which is officially named Circle 7 after the street where it is situated, that does not necessarily mean all of its employees will be let go. Some are expected to be absorbed into Disney's core animation division.
On Wednesday, Disney Studios Chairman Dick Cook said, "All of the sequels to Pixar movies will be made by Pixar. We are clearly going to look at all of the talent that has been assembled and figure out where we go from here."
Already, the Circle 7 group has spent months in pre-production on "Toy Story 3," the third installment of the successful Buzz Lightyear and Woody adventure series. Under director Bradley Raymond, who made Disney's direct-to-video sequel "The Lion King 1 1/2 ," models are being built and the script by Jim Herzfeld and Jared Stern is being revised.
As conceived thus far, the story follows what happens when Buzz is recalled to the toy factory in Taiwan and has to be saved from doom by his fellow toys.
Now, it looks as if all or some of that work may be in vain.
Lasseter, the creator and director of the original "Toy Story" movies, has made no secret of his protective feelings for the successful franchise. In fact, he shared long ago with close associates a different story line that he envisioned as the final chapter in a trilogy.
Lasseter and Catmull were unavailable for comment Wednesday because they were visiting Disney's Burbank studio, addressing the animators who would soon report to them.
In a move some saw as symbolic, Tuesday's announcement of the acquisition deal was made from Pixar's Emeryville, Calif., headquarters, where Lasseter and Catmull will continue to be based.
The issue of sequels had long been a major bone of contention between Jobs and former Disney chief Michael Eisner. Although Disney had the right to control them under its 15-year co-financing and distribution agreement with Pixar, Jobs had made clear that it would do so at its peril.
Last year, Eisner gave his blessing to launch the Circle 7 Pixar sequel unit. A month later, Jobs told analysts, "We have made the decision not to actively participate in creating sequels to our films co-financed by Disney."
Jobs has repeatedly said that despite the success of 1999's "Toy Story 2" — which grossed more than $245 million domestically — he would rather have Pixar focus on creating new stories than work on sequels.
One of the first cracks in the companies' otherwise solid partnership came in 2001 when Eisner and Jobs had a public spat over a proposed "Toy Story 3" sequel.
Eisner insisted on standing by the letter of Disney's contract stipulating that sequels did not count toward the films Pixar owed the studio. Jobs argued that they should count.
Now, when it comes to sequels, it is Pixar that will decide what counts.
I bet Eisner is rolling in his grave over this one.
What? .......... He isn't?..... Damn.
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