Digital Domain Media Group will collaborate with Abu Dhabi
government-backed media and entertainment entity twofour54 to drive
development of film, TV and media production to the Middle East. Digital
Domain Media Group (DDMG) will establish an animation, vfx and mo-cap
studio and a media school in Abu Dhabi. The collaboration is designed to
support the Emirate’s goal to become the region’s center of excellence
for media content creation, growing both the industry and national
talent.DDMG will begin production of visual effects and animation in studios
in twofour54 in the beginning of 2013, with plans to recruit and hire
staff immediately from local and international talent pools. Over time
the studio will employ upwards of 500 people. DDMG will develop a
purpose-built 150,000 square foot (14,000 square meter) state-of-the-art
entertainment production complex, which is expected to be operational
by the end of 2015.The new Digital Domain studio will create animated feature films,
produce visual and 3D effects, engage in the production of original
Middle Eastern-branded entertainment for global audiences and contribute
to international productions. The studio will become part of Digital
Domain’s global feature film VFX and animation pipeline, connected to
its studios in LosAngeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, London, Florida
and Mumbai.The Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi will be modeled after the
Digital Domain Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, and will train
students in the essential skills of digital media production for
entertainment, simulation and related applications. Classes at the Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin early in 2014.Separately, earlier this week, twofour54 announced that the Emirate
of Abu Dhabi now offers one of the world’s most competitive production
incentives — a 30% rebate for film, television and commercial media
projects.
“We are incredibly excited to join twofour54 in building a strong
foundation for the filmmaking industry in Abu Dhabi,” said DDMG CEO and
Chairman John Textor. “There is tremendous opportunity to produce
original entertainment content for Middle Eastern audiences worldwide,
and to bring Hollywood work and our own original productions here as
well. Pairing the studio and school enables us to help the Emirate to
build a sustainable creative industries base. Abu Dhabi was the natural
location for us given its strategic location, modern infrastructure and
supportive government. We’re looking forward to grooming up-and-coming
Arab filmmakers at a time of such great awakening in this part of the
world.”
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