FEBURARY 20, 2007 Sony Pictures Imageworks picks up equity in FrameFlow FrameFlow to become Imageworks India CHENNAI, February 20, 2007 — US based Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) has announced an equity investment in renowned visual effects and animation studio FrameFlow, which has its production operation in Chennai. As part of the deal, FrameFlow will become Imageworks India and will work seamlessly with Sony Pictures Imageworks’ main production facility in Culver City, California. The newly named entity expects to quadruple its workload in the coming years and deepen its capabilities through investments in infrastructure, technology and training from Sony Pictures Imageworks. Imageworks India also plans a significant growth in its current talent base of 80 employees. To accommodate anticipated expansion, Imageworks India will relocate to a larger office in Chennai with a seating capacity of up to 300. "We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Sony Pictures Imageworks, an Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation facility. We are deeply honored to be chosen to join the Imageworks family. It’s a testament to the passion and talent of our team and creative leadership of Krishnakant Mishra to receive this supreme validation of the quality of our work” commented Hitesh Shah, co-founder of FrameFlow and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India. Also speaking at the occasion, Abhaya Kumar, Managing Director of FrameFlow’s Indian operation added,“This relationship represents the culmination of our strategic vision to expand and deepen our capabilities through integration with an industry leader like Imageworks. We look at this strategic investment as a part of the continuing Indian Success Story – one that elevates the standing of the whole Indian visual effects and animation industry on the global stage.” FrameFlow was founded three years ago to deliver high-quality effects support to top facilities worldwide. Prior to becoming Imageworks India, FrameFlow proved its value by working with Sony Pictures Imageworks on movies such as CLICK, GHOST RIDER and SPIDER-MAN ® 3 among many other projects. “The level of professionalism and quality of work that we experienced in working with the FrameFlow team was exemplary, and gave us the confidence to extend and establish a strong long term relationship” said Jenny Fulle, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Imageworks and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India. “We are very excited about expanding our capacity with Imageworks India in Chennai." As part of Sony Pictures Imageworks, Imageworks India will continue to provide visual effects and animation services as a resource to the industry. Imageworks India (formerly FrameFlow), has been a trusted partner to other top visual effects and animation studios in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. About Imageworks India (formerly FrameFlow) About Sony Pictures Imageworks The company’s achievements have been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with Oscars ® for its work on SPIDER-MAN ® 2 and the CG animated short film THE CHUBBCHUBBS!. In addition, Imageworks’ two most recent projects, the all CG animated feature, MONSTER HOUSE, made at Imageworks, and SUPERMAN RETURNS are nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Animated Feature and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Effects, respectively. Other Oscar nominated projects include; THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, SPIDER-MAN ®, HOLLOW MAN, STUART LITTLE and STARSHIP TROOPERS, for a total of 9 nominations. The 2007 dual nominations in the Best Animated Feature and Outstanding Achievement in Visual Effects categories is the first time one studio is recognized in these distinct areas and is indicative of the diversity and quality of the company’s capabilities. For more information, visit www.imageworks.com For media queries, please contact: Neha Damani / Senthamil Selvan
JULY 6, 2006
FrameFlow Tapped by Sony Pictures Imageworks for Click Effects Atlanta, GA (July 17, 2006)-Visual effects studio FrameFlow announces the completion of its visual effects work for Sony Pictures Imageworks on the hit Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios comedy release Click starring Adam Sandler. FrameFlow's US-based producers and its international staff of artists based in Chennai, India, worked directly with the VFX team at Imageworks to provide 3D tracking, wire removal, rotoscoping and compositing work on effects shots for the movie, which opened June 23rd.
In the life-altering comedy Click, Michael Newman (Adam Sandler), a busy architect who is trying to get ahead in the world, purchases a remote control that seems to not only let him control his TV set and stereo, but virtually his entire life. Sounds too good to be true. And it is, because soon the technologically sophisticated device is controlling Michael in ways he never imagined possible.
Most of FrameFlow's shots involved replacement of the "stand-in" remote-control prop with a CG version, as well as cleanup and roto work. With a team of 40 digital artists and animators at its state-of-the-art Chennai facility, FrameFlow was able to deliver the shots quickly and efficiently.
"There were many visual effects shots involving the remote control that we wanted to get done as soon as possible, and we sought a partner that could accomplish that without compromising on the quality of the work," said David Taritero, Senior VFX Producer, Sony Pictures Imageworks. "FrameFlow consistently proved that they could deliver high-caliber work and keep pace with our production schedule."
"We are thrilled to support Imageworks on Click and other feature projects," said Hitesh Shah, co-founder and CEO of FrameFlow. "Our mission at FrameFlow has been to partner with VFX houses to provide high quality effects services at compelling prices for work that might otherwise be turned away due to production constraints. Our work with Imageworks on Click is a perfect example of the win-win situation such partnering creates."
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