The Animation Guild blog recently revealed that there have been layoffs at DisneyToon Studios:
“They had people together this morning for a group announcement. With no advance announcement. Then people had one-on-ones with administration and a new bunch of people were let go. The new Planes hasn’t done the business they hoped for and so another group is getting laid off. The shorts department is still going, but there won’t be a lot of people there. …”
The division that had been charged with making franchise building films such as the Tinker Bell and Planes films had seen some challenges as the Tinker Bell franchise appears to have been discontinued following the upcoming release of Legend of the NeverBeast and Planes: Fire & Rescue’s disappointing performance at the box office.
The division, which was originally designed for the Direct-to-Video market has been challenged as that market has shrunk. There is no word what the division’s new business model will be.