kitty
09-22-2003, 11:48 PM
Dis to shut Japan ani unit
By Gregg Kilday
The Walt Disney Co. is bidding sayonara to Walt Disney Animation (Japan), its Tokyo-based animation studio that has turned out such projects as the theatrical releases "Piglet's Big Movie" and "The Tigger Movie" as well as direct-to-video titles like this year's "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure."
In an internal memo distributed Friday, Disney revealed its plans to shut down the animation facility, which employs 103 local animators and artists. The closure will take effect once the studio completes work on its current project, a "Winnie the Pooh" spinoff called "The Heffalump Movie." It has not yet been determined whether that project will be a theatrical or video/DVD release.
In a statement, Disney acknowledged the studio's closure but added: "Our experience working in Japan for the past 14 years has been outstanding, primarily because of the world-class artists and executives who have produced exceptional animation. However, after reviewing our business plans and production requirements, we determined we no longer can support this additional production capacity."
The Japanese studio produced features for DisneyToon Studios, the Disney division charged with creating spinoff properties from established Disney characters. Originally under the umbrella of Walt Disney Television Animation, DisneyToon Studios, headed by executive vp Sharon Morrill, was given its own name and logo in June when it was moved under the auspices of Walt Disney Feature Animation, headed by president David Stainton.
Stainton took over as head of Disney's feature animation unit at the beginning of this year as the company was struggling with the expensive failure of last year's "Treasure Planet." He has continued the belt-tightening that has been under way at Disney's feature animation division for more than two years.
Most recently, Disney laid off about 50 animators at its Orlando animation studio following the completion of "Brother Bear," a 2-D animated feature that will debut in limited release Oct. 24 and then roll out in November.
While it is closing down its Tokyo animation operation, Disney emphasized that the animation cutbacks do not reflect its other operations in Japan, saying: "A number of our company's business ventures in Japan remain strong: Tokyo Disneyland Resort, the Disney Stores Japan and Buena Vista International, among others. The Walt Disney Co. looks forward to continued successful partnerships on other business fronts."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1984625
By Gregg Kilday
The Walt Disney Co. is bidding sayonara to Walt Disney Animation (Japan), its Tokyo-based animation studio that has turned out such projects as the theatrical releases "Piglet's Big Movie" and "The Tigger Movie" as well as direct-to-video titles like this year's "101 Dalmatians II: Patch's London Adventure."
In an internal memo distributed Friday, Disney revealed its plans to shut down the animation facility, which employs 103 local animators and artists. The closure will take effect once the studio completes work on its current project, a "Winnie the Pooh" spinoff called "The Heffalump Movie." It has not yet been determined whether that project will be a theatrical or video/DVD release.
In a statement, Disney acknowledged the studio's closure but added: "Our experience working in Japan for the past 14 years has been outstanding, primarily because of the world-class artists and executives who have produced exceptional animation. However, after reviewing our business plans and production requirements, we determined we no longer can support this additional production capacity."
The Japanese studio produced features for DisneyToon Studios, the Disney division charged with creating spinoff properties from established Disney characters. Originally under the umbrella of Walt Disney Television Animation, DisneyToon Studios, headed by executive vp Sharon Morrill, was given its own name and logo in June when it was moved under the auspices of Walt Disney Feature Animation, headed by president David Stainton.
Stainton took over as head of Disney's feature animation unit at the beginning of this year as the company was struggling with the expensive failure of last year's "Treasure Planet." He has continued the belt-tightening that has been under way at Disney's feature animation division for more than two years.
Most recently, Disney laid off about 50 animators at its Orlando animation studio following the completion of "Brother Bear," a 2-D animated feature that will debut in limited release Oct. 24 and then roll out in November.
While it is closing down its Tokyo animation operation, Disney emphasized that the animation cutbacks do not reflect its other operations in Japan, saying: "A number of our company's business ventures in Japan remain strong: Tokyo Disneyland Resort, the Disney Stores Japan and Buena Vista International, among others. The Walt Disney Co. looks forward to continued successful partnerships on other business fronts."
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1984625