Disney animators taking huge salary cuts

Disney animators, whose salaries soared when other studios launched animation departments a few years ago and tried to win them away, have seen their paychecks drastically cut during the company’s current retrenchment, the New York Times indicated Monday. The newspaper said that some Disney animators are now being asked to agree to a 35-50 percent pay cut or leave. Disney Studios chief Peter Schneider told the newspaper: “I’m not saying it’s pleasant or easy, but that’s what’s happening. … That’s just life, isn’t it?” The newspaper said that the company’s cost-cutting will make it easier for its upcoming Atlantis to earn a profit. At $100 million, the film was reportedly 35 percent cheaper to produce than other recent Disney animated features.