John Lasseter out at Disney

[NinjaPug]

LOS ANGELES—Walt Disney Co.’s top creative animation executive, John Lasseter, is leaving the company at the end of this year, the company said, following accusations that the executive touched and hugged subordinates in unwelcome ways.

The company said Mr. Lasseter declined to comment.

Disney is likely to name two replacements for Mr. Lasseter, one as creative chief at Walt Disney Animation Studios and one at Pixar, a person close to the situation said. The leading candidates are “Frozen” co-director Jennifer Lee for Disney Animation and “Inside Out” director Pete Docter at Pixar, this person said.

Mr. Lasseter has been away from Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios since November, when he started what was billed as a six-month leave of absence. At the time, he sent a letter to colleagues apologizing to “anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture.”

One of the most visible creative executives in Hollywood, Mr. Lasseter is credited with building Disney Animation and Pixar into family-entertainment powerhouses.

He will work for Disney as a consultant through the end of this year before fully separating from the company, according to a company statement released Friday. For the remainder of this year, he isn’t expected to have an office at either Pixar or Disney Animation, according to the person close to the company.

Disney had considered bringing Mr. Lasseter back to the company in a creative capacity that stripped him of any managerial oversight, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.

Mr. Lasseter has been seen little if at all at Pixar or Disney Animation during the past several months, according to employees. Pixar’s next movie, “The Incredibles 2,” opens June 15.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pixar-co-founder-john-lasseter-to-leave-disney-1528496233?mod=mhp

[CyberCubed]

following accusations that the executive touched and hugged subordinates in unwelcome ways.

Good, lock him up. Time to get all the scum out of the industry.

[Jester]

But Cubed....John Lasseter is 61 years old, it is the norm for his generation to be like that. I think you're forgetting he grew up in the 60's and 70's when social norms were not what they are now.

[Shark_Blade]

But Cubed....John Lasseter is 61 years old, it is the norm for his generation to be like that. I think you're forgetting he grew up in the 60's and 70's when social norms were not what they are now.

Thank God I didn’t live in such a medieval age where people can sexual assault and rape just about anyone then. :o

I’m still grasping with the fact that someone who seem so passionate and gentle like him could do such a thing. Watching his behind the scene interviews, his dreamy office full of toys... just can’t simply trust anyone. :(

[oldmanwinters]

I'm not able to read the whole article, but does the nature of the "uncomfortable touching" get specified other than "hugs." Is this a situation where Lasseter is simply one of those stereotypical "huggers" that just leads with an embrace without asking permission?


EDIT:
Oh, okay, some maybe there is a little something more to the story:
The accusations against Mr. Lasseter did not rise to the level of those against powerful Hollywood figures like Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of severe sexual misconduct going back decades, and Bill Cosby, who was found guilty in April of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman.
But Mr. Lasseter’s sabbatical revealed other areas of concern. Disney conducted what it called a “day of listening” in February as part of an effort to improve the culture at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation. Multiple staff members told managers that Mr. Lasseter had become increasingly domineering, according to two people who work at the company, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the process was private.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/business/media/john-lasseter-leaves-disney.html

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Good, lock him up. Time to get all the scum out of the industry.

Calm down man.

[The Deadman]

Good, lock him up. Time to get all the scum out of the industry.

If it was just hugs, they dont lock people up for that, dude.

[drgon78]

If it was hugs I weep for our society.

[Candy Kappa]

I dunno I've seen some pretty nefarious hugs thanks to a predatory teacher back in grade school, long uncomfortable hugs, very intimate and grabby as well as "shoulder massages"

He didn't last long as a teacher at our school

[Sumac]

Good, lock him up. Time to get all the scum out of the industry.
'cubed, your act doesn't fool anyone.

I’m still grasping with the fact that someone who seem so passionate and gentle like him could do such a thing. Watching his behind the scene interviews, his dreamy office full of toys... just can’t simply trust anyone. :(
Or maybe people shouldn't dramatized everything for the sake of cheap sensationalizm and outraged cretins.

But, of course, you might stop to trust everyone. It's much easier and healthier way to cope with reality!! :roll:

[Papenbrook]

LOS ANGELES—Walt Disney Co.’s top creative animation executive, John Lasseter, is leaving the company at the end of this year, the company said, following accusations that the executive touched and hugged subordinates in unwelcome ways.

The company said Mr. Lasseter declined to comment.

Disney is likely to name two replacements for Mr. Lasseter, one as creative chief at Walt Disney Animation Studios and one at Pixar, a person close to the situation said. The leading candidates are “Frozen” co-director Jennifer Lee for Disney Animation and “Inside Out” director Pete Docter at Pixar, this person said.

Mr. Lasseter has been away from Disney Animation and Pixar Animation Studios since November, when he started what was billed as a six-month leave of absence. At the time, he sent a letter to colleagues apologizing to “anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture.”

One of the most visible creative executives in Hollywood, Mr. Lasseter is credited with building Disney Animation and Pixar into family-entertainment powerhouses.

He will work for Disney as a consultant through the end of this year before fully separating from the company, according to a company statement released Friday. For the remainder of this year, he isn’t expected to have an office at either Pixar or Disney Animation, according to the person close to the company.

Disney had considered bringing Mr. Lasseter back to the company in a creative capacity that stripped him of any managerial oversight, The Wall Street Journal previously reported.

Mr. Lasseter has been seen little if at all at Pixar or Disney Animation during the past several months, according to employees. Pixar’s next movie, “The Incredibles 2,” opens June 15.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/pixar-co-founder-john-lasseter-to-leave-disney-1528496233?mod=mhp

Good.

Now, if only they could get the Affleck brothers, Joss Whedon, Katy Perry, and whoever else out of the entertainment industry ...

[plastroncafe]

I just find it troubling that there are adults out there who never learned the Keep Your Hands to Yourself lesson from kindergarten.

[Sumac]

Good.

Now, if only they could get the Affleck brothers, Joss Whedon, Stan Lee, Katy Perry, and whoever else out of the entertainment industry ...
And you will end up without entertaining industry and then without humanity as a whole.

But I guess there is no need for unique and enlightened creature to have anyone around.

BASK IN THE GLORY OF YOUR OWN LIGHT, WHAT CAN BE COOLER?! :lol:

[Autbot_Benz]

Good.

Now, if only they could get the Affleck brothers, Joss Whedon, Stan Lee, Katy Perry, and whoever else out of the entertainment industry ...

I am so glad SJW's/easily triggered folk like you don't run the world or we would be screwed

https://i.imgur.com/GBBb9yh.png

[FredWolfLeonardo]

The world woud be a sad place then, where mere accusation would be enough to have someone jailed.

[Autbot_Benz]

The world woud be a sad place then, where mere accusation would be enough to have someone jailed.

its already happening with parts of the me too movement guilty until proven innocent.

[TurtleTitan97]

Nah.

You're living proof that the world was already screwed.

Oh snap! :lol:

[Sumac]

I am so glad SJW's/easily triggered folk like you don't run the world or we would be screwed
They would never be able to rule anything, because, as soon as they cut down everyone who disagree with them, they will start ripping each other apart. It's already happening.

Their whole "movement" based on getting outraged and fighting against someone. And if they don't have anyone to fight against they will invent them among each other.

It's typical for any cult based on the idea of supremacy of its members as well as hate and victimization of its members.

[Autbot_Benz]

They would never be able to rule anything, because, as soon as they cut down everyone who disagree with them, they will start ripping each other apart. It's already happening.
Their whole "movement" based on getting outraged and fighting against someone. And if they don't have anyone to fight against they will invent them among each other.

that's good than.

[sdp]

I just find it troubling that there are adults out there who never learned the Keep Your Hands to Yourself lesson from kindergarten.

I see it more as those *sshole High School "bros" who you thought were gone after you finished high school only to realize they live with us in our daily life.

I find the "always believe women" and similar movements to be incredibly flawed and can't get behind them but this is a huge problem and something has to be done about it. It's not SJW to realize that many ass hats who we all hated still exist to this day and abuse their power.

[Papenbrook]

It looks like Lasseter had some "help" from a friend. (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/lori-mcadams-john-lasseter-protector-and-key-figure-in-illegal-wage-fixing-conspiracy-is-leaving-pixar-158058.html)

[plastroncafe]

I see it more as those *sshole High School "bros" who you thought were gone after you finished high school only to realize they live with us in our daily life.

I find the "always believe women" and similar movements to be incredibly flawed and can't get behind them but this is a huge problem and something has to be done about it. It's not SJW to realize that many ass hats who we all hated still exist to this day and abuse their power.

I haven't seen a Snacky's Law in play in a long while!

[Sumac]

It looks like Lasseter had some "help" from a friend. (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/lori-mcadams-john-lasseter-protector-and-key-figure-in-illegal-wage-fixing-conspiracy-is-leaving-pixar-158058.html)
So maybe it's not about harassment only.
Interesting.

I haven't seen a Snacky's Law in play in a long while!
Saying that SJW are socially inept morons, who can't figure out forest behind the trees, much less how to treat people, is not a of whatever-the-****-lefty-speak law.

[Papenbrook]

An article that describes Pixar's unwelcoming environment has been posted. (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/former-pixar-artist-cassandra-smolcic-speaks-out-about-the-studios-sexist-vulgar-and-unprofessional-culture-161540.html)

OmG, it's worse than I thought ... :(

[Papenbrook]

Update: Oh no (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/animators/breaking-nine-days-after-leaving-disney-john-lasseter-is-head-of-skydance-animation-168872.html), this can't be happening! :(

Just ... think (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/skydance-animation-condones-abuse-by-hiring-john-lasseter-says-times-up-168882.html) of (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/is-skydance-endangering-its-female-employees-here-is-a-list-of-accusations-against-john-lasseter-168942.html) the (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/report-paramount-execs-are-unhappy-they-werent-told-about-john-lasseter-hiring-168961.html) consequences (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/report-john-lasseter-will-be-legally-liable-for-any-harassment-at-skydance-169008.html) ...

[Shark_Blade]

People wanna offer him job let them, why be pissed?

[Sumac]

Because, "guilty until proven innocent" mindset of certain people who consider themselves at the edge of the progress, though usually they just edgy.

[Papenbrook]

Seriously, Brad Bird (https://www.cartoonbrew.com/artist-rights/brad-bird-makes-first-comments-on-john-lasseter-i-dont-see-him-in-black-and-white-169409.html)?

Good luck at the Oscars ...