Disney to Trim Animation Workforce

LOS ANGELES, December 4: The Walt Disney Company is to cut about 160 out of 800 jobs
at its California animation unit, according to published reports.

The move is the latest change to come at Disney’s animation
unit since the division was taken over by Pixar executives John A. Lasseter and
Edwin E. Catmull. It indicates a shift in the previous strategy that mandated
that the company release at least one animated feature per year. The studio has
already pushed back the release of Meet the Robinsons, which was slated to hit theaters this month.

“Walt Disney Animation has determined that each film will
dictate its own appropriate production schedule,” the company said in a
statement. “The result of this necessitated a reduction in staff.”

Pixar, which Disney acquired for $7.4 billion, has
traditionally released a new film every 18 months. Its releases have been
considerably more successful than Disney’s.