Pete Docter And Jennifer Lee Taking Over At Pixar And Disney Animation

It’s been announced that Pete Docter and Jennifer Lee are taking over at Pixar and Disney animation after the announcement that John Lasseter is stepping down at the end of 2018. The pair will be reporting to Alan Horn, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

Speaking of their appointments Alan says, “Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are two of the most gifted filmmakers and storytellers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. Pete, the genius creative force behind Up, Inside Out, and Monsters, Inc., has been an integral part of Pixar almost since the beginning and is a huge part of its industry-leading success. Jenn, in bringing her bold vision to the boundary-breaking Frozen, has helped infuse Disney Animation with a new and exciting perspective. Each of them embodies the unique spirit, culture, and values of these renowned animation studios, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them to lead us into the future.”

Docter who joined Pixar in 1990, has directed Inside Out, Up and Monsters Inc, as well as being an animation supervisor of Toy Story and Executive Producer on Monsters University and Brave. Lee’s credentials include writing Frozen, Zootropolis and Wreck It Ralph. She started at Disney Animation in 2011 and is currently working on Frozen 2, whilst overseeing Ralph Breaks the Internet as Executive Producer. They are taking over from Lasseter after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour by several staff members. Initially put on sabbatical for 6 months, it was announced recently that he will permanently step down at the end of 2018. You can read more about this including his statement here.

Keep. It. Reel.

John Lasseter To Leave Pixar At The End Of The Year

It’s been announced that John Lasseter will permanently step down from Disney Pixar at the end of 2018 after taking time off last year to acknowledging his own inappropriate behaviour. Disney announced that he will remain at the company as a consultant until the end of the year. 

In November 2017, a statement was released by Lasseter saying he was sorry to anyone “who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form.” He indicated that he wanted to return to Disney after taking an initial six month sabbatical.

In a statement from Friday, Lasseter says, “The last six months have provided an opportunity to reflect on my life, career and personal priorities. While I remain dedicated to the art of animation and inspired by the creative talent at Pixar and Disney, I have decided the end of this year is the right time to begin focusing on new creative challenges.” He is one of many high profile figures who have been taken down by the #metoo movement, prompting a change in how both women and men are treated in Hollywood and other industries. 

Being one of the founders of Pixar and having a distinctive fashion sense with his Hawaiian shirts, Lasseter has been a recognisable face in the animation world for decades. His work as a director includes Toy Story, Cars, A Bug’s Life and multiple Pixar shorts as well as being thr creative force behind Wreck It Ralph, Zootopia and Moana. His successor is yet to be named. 

Keep. It. Reel. 

Pixar: the unseen and the untold.

Pixar have created some of the most loved films of all time. The Toy Story trilogy was enjoyed by millions, and millions more cried at the start of the emotional Up. Several more have been created and several more are being created. The release of Braved, shows a side of Pixar similar to Disney’s usual style of animation but also with that Toy Story twist.

Here, like in Brave, we see a new side to Pixar we have never seen before. Take a look at these, courtesy of Pixar. It’s concept art of some of their most famous films including one from the prequel to Monsters Inc, Monsters University. Hope you like them!