Inside Out 2 Was the Hit Pixar Needed, but the Laid-Off Employees Who Crunched on It Are Still Hurting - IGN

The Nugget

Inside Out 2's monumental financial success contrasts sharply with the struggles of former Pixar employees who faced layoffs and intense working conditions, highlighting deep cultural issues within the studio.

Make it stick

💔 Despite being a record-breaking hit, many former Pixar employees feel emotionally and financially crushed by the layoffs.
🏢 14% of Pixar's workforce was let go post-production, cutting them off from bonuses tied to Inside Out 2's success.
⚡ The production faced unprecedented crunch, leading to burnout, with some animators reportedly working seven days a week.
🎭 Internal conflicts about LGBTQ themes in the film showcased Pixar's resistance to change despite societal expectations.

Highest-Grossing Animated Film: Inside Out 2 amassed $1.6 billion globally, marking Pixar's resurgence after previous box office disappointments.
Pressure to Succeed: The film was viewed as crucial for Pixar's survival post-pandemic, sparking an "all-hands-on-deck" mentality.
Increased Workload: Many employees contributed to the film, leading to longer credits than any prior Pixar movie.

175 Employees Laid Off: Following the film's success, layoffs affected 14% of Pixar's workforce, leaving many without bonuses.
Emotional Toll: The announcement of layoffs felt like a funeral, with widespread sorrow among remaining employees.
Financial Struggles: Many laid-off workers face financial hardships, exacerbated by Pixar's lower base pay compared to the Bay Area's cost of living.

Bottlenecks Due to Leadership: Heavy reliance on Pete Docter has created inefficiencies, stifling new creative ideas and directors.
Resistance to LGBTQ Themes: Inside Out 2’s creative process reflects Pixar's internal hesitance to incorporate diverse narratives.
Future Outlook: Despite success, concerns grow about the sustainability of Pixar's practices as production for Elio looms.

“The day that the layoffs happened was like a funeral. There was weeping and crying in the atrium.”
“I would venture that at least 95% of the people that got laid off are financially f*cked right now.”
“You cannot do anything without Pete. Literally nothing.”
“It was a shitshow.”
“When we were told the day we were laid off that it (the bonus) is only for active employees, I sobbed.”

This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.