This undated photo provided by Scholastic Inc., shows Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morton Schindel. (Chichi Ubina/Scholastic Inc. via AP)
WESTON, Conn. (AP) --
An Oscar-nominated filmmaker who developed a technique to transform illustrations from children's books into moving images for films has died at his Connecticut home. Morton Schindel was 98.
Scholastic Inc. senior vice president Kyle Good says Schindel died of natural causes Saturday in Weston. Scholastic bought Schindel's company, Weston Woods Studios, in 1996.
Schindel's filmmaking technique involved using cameras to make original artwork from books move across the screen. It was used in the 1973 film "Where the Wild Things Are," based on Maurice Sendak's children's book of the same name.
The Orange, New Jersey, native and former New York resident produced more than 300 movies and 450 recordings.
In 1986, he received an Academy Award nomination for "Doctor De Soto," based on the children's book by William Steig.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
