‘Sausage Party’ Animators Say Production Company Mistreated Them
Image by YouTube
By Thea Glassman August 16, 2016
Anonymous claims of exploitation have been made by the animators of Seth Rogen’s R-rated animated movie “Sausage Party.”
The employees allege that Nitrogen Studios, the production company behind the flick, refused to pay them for overtime, fired some workers unjustifiably and threatened others with termination if they did not meet their deadlines.
The complaints began rolling in on the comments section of Cartoon Brew’s interview with the film’s co-directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan.
“They fired the CG Supervisor mid production (one of many supervisors who got fired during the show) because he would say ‘we can’t do this in budget’ to Greg and Conrad’s ideas,” one animator reported. “Which by the way both were the worst directors I worked with and had zero direction or vision.”
Someone under the username “uncredited supervisor” commented that the company was able to keep its costs at a minimum by exploiting their workers.
“The production cost were kept low because Greg would demand people work overtime for free. If you wouldn’t work late for free your work would be assigned to someone who would stay late or come in on the weekend.”
The film was made on a relatively modest $20 million studio budget. It grossed $33.6 million opening weekend.
More than 30 animators reportedly quit during production, one former employee asserts, due to “stress and expectations.”
One commenter did not believe that Rogen was aware of what was going on.
“Nitrogen has been trying hard to hide this from the producers so I doubt that Seth Rogen even knows this,” they said. “I hope that this can help get the word out.”
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
