Will Vinton leaves Will Vinton Studios

[RobertoOrtiz]

This is the equivalent of firing Walt Disney from Disney back in the 60's.
Or better yet, it is like firing Jim Henson from Henson enterprises in the 80’s?
This is really bizarre and this smells like a power grab.

-Roberto

[Qslugs]

I wonder if he'll pull a Rosy O'donnell and pull a you can't use my name.

[JMulder]

Yeah, I've gotta say I'm really conflicted about this. I've always liked WV's stuff, though they haven't really been in the spotlight for a few years. I'm also an alumnus of the University of Oregon, and Phil Knight (UO's most succsessful alumnus) has always remembered where he came from and been very generous to UO.

I guess WVS falling out of the spotlight could be grounds to dismiss the top man, but still....

-Jim

[gmask]

I would think that the man can reatin the right to his own name in this case.. unless he granted the company the right to use it without him..

Personally I though the PJ's were horrible.. they need to go in a new direction even if it is still family friendly.

[My Fault]

An AnimationBlast.com EXCLUSIVE, here is a copy of the company-wide email that Will Vinton wrote to announce his departure:

Hi everybody,

I want you all to know that on Monday, April 14th, I resigned from the WVS Board of Directors. Today, I have been laid off along with a number of staff members and I will be leaving the Company as an employee right away.

I want to thank each and every one of you for the fabulous work and contributions you've made to this company in the past. It has been one amazing 27 year run! - And I have no (well, few!) regrets! When I think back on the highlights of my career I'm astounded at some of the great things we did together - but the best part of it all was working collaboratively with some of the best people and talent anywhere! That has been my greatest pleasure!

Because I think of most of you as friends as well as colleagues, I want to invite you to talk with me about this change if you are intertested, anytime. This evening from 5:45 on, I plan to meet with some of you at Bridgeport Pub to talk and to celebrate (as in a "wake"). You are all invited to join if you want! If you have thoughts, want to talk about it or have questions, or just want to toast to many years of incredible work we have done together, please join me. Most of us go back many many years - others I've only known for a short time but we have become close friends - so I'm happy to let you know what I am doing and where I am going and why.

Again, thanks a million everybody! And best of luck to you all!

May your futures be bright, fun, successful and, above all, animated!
Will Vinton

[RobertoOrtiz]

I bet this news hit all the employees of the company like a nuclear bomb.

[My Fault]

No kidding. This is just nuts from whatever angle you look at it. Bet Will won't let anybody get too much of any company he owns in the future.

In the end I'm sure he will be able to start up a new company with little problem.

[Adam]

Yeah this was some horrible news. Im an animation student in Portland Oregon and it is extra bad news for those of us trying to get an intern or just some recogintion in portland. This portlands only major 3d/claymation house. For the last year or so they have slowly been weeding out the heard due to a lack of money making shows (PJ and that one on MTV) the only thing they have had recently are the M&M comercials along with the clorox bleach commercials. I think the company is going to fade fast.

[StevenR]

Originally posted by Adam
Yeah this was some horrible news. Im an animation student in Portland Oregon and it is extra bad news for those of us trying to get an intern or just some recogintion in portland.

Might I ask what school you're at (and if you'd recommend it)? :D

[JMulder]

Originally posted by Adam
I think the company is going to fade fast.

According to the last paragraph of the article, they just signed a feature animation deal, which may save the company (and might even provide internships:thumbsup: )

[FClub_TDurden]

There was a rumor goin around that they were doin Tim Burtons Corpse Bride........since then Ive heard that most of the stop motion for it would be done by Vinton but in the UK.....so dunno what the status of it is now....

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.