Help Former Pixar Talent After Layoffs
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In 2024, many of our talented and passionate colleagues at Pixar faced layoffs, leaving countless individuals in difficult financial situations. The aftermath has been rocky, the animation and film industries are on fire, and many of our friends struggling to pay bills, manage loans, or make ends meet in the new year. This crowdfunding campaign is our collective effort to support those in need, born from the sense of community and camaraderie that we shared during our time together at Pixar Animation Studios.
Why This Matters ⭐
For years, we worked side by side to create magic, pouring our hearts into projects that brought joy to millions. There is a particular pain that is felt by those who worked on Inside Out 2, which has gone on to become not only Pixar's most profitable film, but also the highest grossing animated film in human history. As former crew members, we have had to watch this success from the sidelines, and are not entitled to receive any of the bonus pay from the film's success. During our time together, we shared many late-night dinners, laughs, and tears. Now we are coming together to lift each other up as we find our way to whatever is next for us in our careers and lives. We are humbly asking for a helping hand.
How the Funds Will Be Managed ⭐
We understand that transparency and trust are paramount, especially when money is involved. To ensure accountability:
- A joint bank account has been established by two former employees from the layoff group serving as signers to hold the funds.
- Clear communication and updates will be provided to beneficiaries, with limited updates to contributors via this page. This is to ensure the privacy of those receiving funds, as many do not wish for their situation to be made public.
- The division of funds is based on an individual's self-identified needs, this information was collected prior to the launch of the fundraiser.
Our guiding principle is to ensure that no one feels unheard or excluded during this process. After having experienced a lack of transparency in the past, we are committed to a process that reflects openness and vulnerability at every step.
In the event we overshoot our goal, we have offered the opportunity for anyone who was part of the 2024 layoffs to receive a portion of the excess. This means that, if the fundraising goal is surpassed, the excess funds will be evenly distributed among those who identified their financial needs and anyone laid off who opts-in to receive the excess funds.
Who is Receiving Funds? ⭐
This effort is for those directly impacted by the 2024 Pixar layoffs, including:
- Full-time employees who were let go.
- Consecutive contract workers who had regularly renewed contracts with Pixar prior to 2024 who were not renewed and were not converted to full-time staff.
Eligibility is based on trust and community. Beyond the "got laid off by Pixar" requirement, there will be no process to determine who is in need 'enough' for financial assistance. While folks may be initially wary of this practice, please remember that this pool of people know each other. We're all human beings that have gone through an incredibly scary and unpleasant experience, and in this moment of helping one another, we trust those in need to be able self-identify their financial situation.
If you are eligible and have not been contacted and/or need to identify your needs - please get in contact with Danny B (via the Pixar alumni discord, or mutual connection)
Thank you so much for reading!
Organizer
Danny B
Organizer
Oakland, CA