In the lead-up to the highly anticipated release of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Sony proudly announced that they had hired over 1,000 animators to work on this artistically ambitious project. However, a recent report from Vulture reveals that the working conditions for these animators were far from ideal. Four animators who worked on “Across the Spider-Verse” described the production as grueling, with around 100 of their colleagues leaving before the film was completed. This exodus was due to the intense workload, with animators being pushed to work more than 11 hours a day, seven days a week at certain points.
According to the anonymous animators who spoke out, the challenging working conditions were primarily a result of producer Phil Lord’s constant and last-minute changes, often overriding the film’s three directors. Lord, who served as a co-writer and producer, had final approval on all of the film’s shots, while his co-writer and fellow producer Chris Miller was mostly absent from day-to-day operations.
The power dynamics behind the scenes were described by one animator as follows: “They are obviously in charge of directing, but if Phil [Lord] has a note that contradicts their note, his note takes precedence. They have to do what Phil says. So there were constant changes and cuts.” This led to a lack of finality and approval, with everything constantly in flux as Lord strived for perfection.
While iterative editing is common in animation, the animators claim that Lord struggled to visualize 3D animation in its early stages. This, combined with his penchant for granular changes, led to multiple rounds of edits on work that was already in the late-stage rendering phase. As a result, the film’s production was effectively halted for three months, leaving employees with little to do but wait anxiously for more work to come.
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The animators described the situation as demoralizing, with one saying, “The worst thing you can do to an artist is hire them and then tell them to do nothing. These people were like, ‘How do you expect us to make this huge movie in less and less time?’ Each week that went by idle meant that later on, it was going to be more insane.” The lack of productive work combined with the mounting pressure created a toxic work environment.
In response to these claims, Sony Pictures Imageworks CEO Michelle Grady and “Across the Spider-Verse” producer Amy Pascal acknowledged the challenges of the production but did not place the blame solely on Lord. Pascal defended the iterative editing process, stating that in animation, you keep going until the story is right.
However, it’s worth noting that Sony did not dispute the assertion that the sequel, “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” will not meet its intended premiere date. This further suggests that the production challenges outlined by the animators may have had a significant impact on the film’s progress.
The revelations from the animators shed light on the often undisclosed difficulties faced by those working behind the scenes in the animation industry. It serves as a reminder that even groundbreaking and critically acclaimed films can come at the expense of the well-being and work-life balance of the artists and animators who bring them to life.
Moving forward, it is crucial for studios and production companies to prioritize the health and well-being of their animation teams. Long working hours and unreasonable demands not only lead to burnout but also undermine the creative process itself. Providing support, clear communication, and a work environment that fosters creativity and collaboration will lead to better outcomes for everyone involved.
As fans eagerly anticipate the release of “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” it is important to recognize and respect the immense effort and dedication put forth by the animators and artists, whose hard work often goes unnoticed.
