John Lasseter’s full leave-of-absence letter:
I have always wanted our Animation studios to be places where creators can explore their vision with the support and collaboration of other gifted animators and storytellers. This kind of creative culture takes constant vigilance to maintain. It’s built on trust and respect, and it becomes fragile if any members of the team don’t feel valued. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that doesn’t happen; and I now believe I have been falling short in this regard.
I’ve recently had a number of difficult conversations that have been very painful for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them. As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be. It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologize if I have let you down. I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.
In my conversations with Disney, we are united in our commitment to always treat any concerns you have with the seriousness they deserve, and to address them in an appropriate manner. We also share a desire to reinforce the vibrant, respectful culture that has been the foundation of our studios’ success since the beginning. And we agree the first step in that direction is for me to take some time away to reflect on how to move forward from here. As hard as it is for me to step away from a job I am so passionate about and a team I hold in the highest regard, not just as artists but as people, I know it’s the best thing for all of us right now. My hope is that a six-month sabbatical will give me the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.
I’m immensely proud of this team, and I know you will continue to wow the world in my absence. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to working together again in the new year.
John
Animation is not, as everybody thinks, a “fun” job.
While the challenges are enjoyable, it is mostly very hard work.
But for women it’s not only hard work
because, along with the glass ceilings and rampant sexism,
it’s also a hostile environment
where even the most timid of males feels free
to insult and humiliate female workers with impunity.
Animation worldwide, is a boys’ club culture
where women’s looks are constantly remarked on,
where they’re routinely groped, dismissed, ignored,
patronized and underpaid.
If a woman stands up for herself
she will be quickly silenced with threats of
“If you don’t like it, leave.”
And if she doesn’t leave, she will be
disbelieved, ostracized and slandered.
I write from personal experience.
This misogyny started with Walt Disney
and pervades the animation industry worldwide.
That it persists today is shocking.
While the art of animation is cutting edge,
the culture is primitive and backward,
the self-serving language of the above memo notwithstanding.
As you can see in the memo, JOHN LASSETER and Disney
have used euphemisms and omissions to successfully slither out
of firing a man who is more important to them
than providing a safe place for women to work.
And John Lasseter is not the only one.
There are DOZENS more harassers still operating with impunity
in a culture that condones such behavior.
So, if you choose to see COCO over the holidays,
know that you are allowing this unpleasant culture to continue
and that the women who work on the entertainment you enjoy
will continue to be harassed and disrespected.
And you are allowing Disney and Lasseter to get away with
behavior for which others have been promptly fired.
Or, you can send a message to the studio
by protesting on social media and boycott their films.
(Don't see COCO this holiday week, see it later.)
Women in animation will be grateful.
I have always wanted our Animation studios to be places where creators can explore their vision with the support and collaboration of other gifted animators and storytellers. This kind of creative culture takes constant vigilance to maintain. It’s built on trust and respect, and it becomes fragile if any members of the team don’t feel valued. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to ensure that doesn’t happen; and I now believe I have been falling short in this regard.
I’ve recently had a number of difficult conversations that have been very painful for me. It’s never easy to face your missteps, but it’s the only way to learn from them. As a result, I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the leader I am today compared to the mentor, advocate and champion I want to be. It’s been brought to my attention that I have made some of you feel disrespected or uncomfortable. That was never my intent. Collectively, you mean the world to me, and I deeply apologize if I have let you down. I especially want to apologize to anyone who has ever been on the receiving end of an unwanted hug or any other gesture they felt crossed the line in any way, shape, or form. No matter how benign my intent, everyone has the right to set their own boundaries and have them respected.
In my conversations with Disney, we are united in our commitment to always treat any concerns you have with the seriousness they deserve, and to address them in an appropriate manner. We also share a desire to reinforce the vibrant, respectful culture that has been the foundation of our studios’ success since the beginning. And we agree the first step in that direction is for me to take some time away to reflect on how to move forward from here. As hard as it is for me to step away from a job I am so passionate about and a team I hold in the highest regard, not just as artists but as people, I know it’s the best thing for all of us right now. My hope is that a six-month sabbatical will give me the opportunity to start taking better care of myself, to recharge and be inspired, and ultimately return with the insight and perspective I need to be the leader you deserve.
I’m immensely proud of this team, and I know you will continue to wow the world in my absence. I wish you all a wonderful holiday season and look forward to working together again in the new year.
John
Animation is not, as everybody thinks, a “fun” job.
While the challenges are enjoyable, it is mostly very hard work.
But for women it’s not only hard work
because, along with the glass ceilings and rampant sexism,
it’s also a hostile environment
where even the most timid of males feels free
to insult and humiliate female workers with impunity.
Animation worldwide, is a boys’ club culture
where women’s looks are constantly remarked on,
where they’re routinely groped, dismissed, ignored,
patronized and underpaid.
If a woman stands up for herself
she will be quickly silenced with threats of
“If you don’t like it, leave.”
And if she doesn’t leave, she will be
disbelieved, ostracized and slandered.
I write from personal experience.
This misogyny started with Walt Disney
and pervades the animation industry worldwide.
That it persists today is shocking.
While the art of animation is cutting edge,
the culture is primitive and backward,
the self-serving language of the above memo notwithstanding.
As you can see in the memo, JOHN LASSETER and Disney
have used euphemisms and omissions to successfully slither out
of firing a man who is more important to them
than providing a safe place for women to work.
And John Lasseter is not the only one.
There are DOZENS more harassers still operating with impunity
in a culture that condones such behavior.
So, if you choose to see COCO over the holidays,
know that you are allowing this unpleasant culture to continue
and that the women who work on the entertainment you enjoy
will continue to be harassed and disrespected.
And you are allowing Disney and Lasseter to get away with
behavior for which others have been promptly fired.
Or, you can send a message to the studio
by protesting on social media and boycott their films.
(Don't see COCO this holiday week, see it later.)
Women in animation will be grateful.
*
DISNEY, ANIMATION, LASSETER, HARASSMENT, BOYS' CLUB CULTURE, PIXAR
