Pete Docter and Jennifer Lee earned big promotions.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Docter has been named chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, and Lee will take up the role of chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
They will replace John Lasseter, who has been running both studios for a number of years. Lasseter recently returned from an extended leave of absence, and then announced he will leave the company at the end of the year. Lasseter is leaving after acknowledging he committed "missteps" that caused uncomfortable circumstances for employees.
Pete Docter directed "Up" and "Inside Out" for Pixar, winning Oscars for both. Jennifer Lee co-directed the Oscar-winning "Frozen" for Disney Animation.
Alan Horn, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios said in his announcement:
"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."
Lee said:
"I am deeply grateful to everyone at Walt Disney Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Company for this opportunity. Animation is the most collaborative art form in the world, and it is with the partnership of my fellow filmmakers, artists and innovators that we look ahead to the future. My hope is to support the incredible talent we have, find new voices and work together to tell original stories. The great films of Disney Animation — the films I loved as a kid and my daughter has grown up loving — are magical, timeless and full of heart, and it is our goal to create films that carry on and grow this 95-year legacy for future generations."
Docter also said:
"I am excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role. It is not something I take lightly; making films at Pixar has been my chronic obsession since I started here 28 years ago. I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world."
Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are expected to move into their new roles officially at the end of the year.
Read the full article
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Docter has been named chief creative officer of Pixar Animation Studios, and Lee will take up the role of chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios.
They will replace John Lasseter, who has been running both studios for a number of years. Lasseter recently returned from an extended leave of absence, and then announced he will leave the company at the end of the year. Lasseter is leaving after acknowledging he committed "missteps" that caused uncomfortable circumstances for employees.
Pete Docter directed "Up" and "Inside Out" for Pixar, winning Oscars for both. Jennifer Lee co-directed the Oscar-winning "Frozen" for Disney Animation.
Alan Horn, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios said in his announcement:
"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."
Lee said:
"I am deeply grateful to everyone at Walt Disney Animation Studios and The Walt Disney Company for this opportunity. Animation is the most collaborative art form in the world, and it is with the partnership of my fellow filmmakers, artists and innovators that we look ahead to the future. My hope is to support the incredible talent we have, find new voices and work together to tell original stories. The great films of Disney Animation — the films I loved as a kid and my daughter has grown up loving — are magical, timeless and full of heart, and it is our goal to create films that carry on and grow this 95-year legacy for future generations."
Docter also said:
"I am excited and humbled to be asked to take on this role. It is not something I take lightly; making films at Pixar has been my chronic obsession since I started here 28 years ago. I am fortunate to work alongside some of the most talented people on the planet, and together we will keep pushing animation in new directions, using the latest technology to tell stories we hope will surprise and delight audiences around the world."
Jennifer Lee and Pete Docter are expected to move into their new roles officially at the end of the year.
Read the full article
