Disney Set to Close Animation Studio

[Kai Saarto]

Well, this just sucks:


SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co. is expected to close a 
feature-animation studio in Orlando, Florida, on Monday, jeopardizing 
the jobs of nearly 260 animators, the Orlando Sentinel said.

Some artists will be transferred to Burbank, California, where Disney's 
corporate headquarters is located, but most of the employees, whose 
credits include the films "Brother Bear" and "Lilo & Stitch," are 
expected to lose their jobs, the paper said on Saturday.

Disney was a pioneer in hand-drawn animation, producing classic movies 
such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella" and "Fantasia."

In recent years, however, computer-generated animation has become 
increasingly popular as evidenced by movies like 2003's "Finding Nemo," 
made by Pixar Animation Studios.

The underwater adventure was the top-grossing theatrical release in the 
United States last year, generating about $340 million.

Disney distributed "Finding Nemo" and has a contract with the 
Emeryville, California-based company that expires at the end of next year.

No one at Disney headquarters was available to comment.

(Source: http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20040110/hle_bus-n10366236.html)