I knew it would happen sooner or later. Today, it was announced that Laika is laying off 65 (or 75 depending on your source). It seems that Jack and Ben has been shelved and those working on it are getting the axe.
When Coraline completely wraps, we may see more pink slips. This is par for the course in the animation industry. The difference is, since this company is on its own little island up there in the Pacific Northwest, they'll have a harder time bringing in new people next time around.
So much for Laika being one of the very few places that gives job security. Their location only hurts in these situations.
I don't have very high hopes for Laika. After Coraline tanks, this may just be the tip of the iceberg.
2 comments:
Henry Selick is in the process of running yet another company into the ground. Granted, his work is beautiful, but he's a completely insecure, sadistic, nutjob. Laika should get rid of him before he sinks the entire company.
The "being on it's own little island" thing is the scary part . That happened to those of us who worked for Disney at their Orlando Florida studio. Once things start to go downhill it gets bad very quickly. There are no other places to go. (well, there were a few game companies , and Project Firefly made a brave attempt to get something going . Project Firefly was run by ex-Disney Florida staffers , but never really took off ) . I would be very leery of anyone asking me to move out into the middle of nowhere to work on a film . At least get it ironclad in your contract that they have to pay your relocation expenses back to where you came from.
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