🎬 The Lights and Shadows of 'Inside Out 2': The Hit Pixar Needed🍿 'Inside Out 2' hasn't just been Pixar's biggest success in years; it's shattered records to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time, raking in a staggering $1.6 billion at the box office. But behind this triumph lies a less happy story.
💔 Many of the employees who worked tirelessly on the sequel find themselves in a tough spot. After an intense period of crunch—working up to seven days a week—Pixar laid off 14% of its staff, affecting 175 workers who won't benefit from the film's success bonuses.
🛠 There's talk of an excessive reliance on Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter ('Up', 'Inside Out'), which reportedly created bottlenecks in production. Additionally, concerns about self-censorship on LGBTQ+ themes arose, with employees claiming changes were made to make Riley, the protagonist, appear 'less gay'.
🎭 Pixar's internal culture seems to be in crisis, with employees describing an atmosphere of fear around taking risks and low morale among the staff. The layoffs have left many in precarious financial situations, especially in an expensive area like Emeryville, California.
📣 It's worrisome that at a studio which has given us gems like 'Toy Story' and 'Finding Nemo', the creators themselves feel abandoned. While we celebrate the success of 'Inside Out 2', we shouldn't forget the human stories behind the animations that move us so deeply. 🎥❤️