SINGAPORE -
Lucasfilm Ltd announced on Tuesday that it has
established Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, a digital
animation studio designed to produce digital animated
content, including films, television and games for
global audiences.
"I've been a fan of Asian
animation and illustration all my life. Asian cinema has
had a particularly big impact on a lot of my work. When
we began thinking about developing new ways to explore
the craft of animation, it seemed a natural step to
combine the two," Lucasfilm founder and director George
Lucas said. "By having a base in Singapore, we can
create a new style of animation that will blend East and
West - and offer something not seen before."
Micheline Chau, president of Lucasfilm Ltd,
said, "We're excited about this new venture. Singapore
was our location of choice for so many reasons - a
growing talent base, the cosmopolitan flavor, and its
attractiveness as a place to live," Chau commented while
in Singapore for the announcement. "Our long-term
partnership with the Economic Development Board [EDB]
gives us the resources to begin work almost immediately,
working in concert with our animation unit in
California."
Lucasfilm has joined with a
consortium of investors in Singapore, including EDB
Investments Ltd and Creative Technology Ltd. The
Singapore-based creative team will be led by Gail
Currey, vice president and general manager of Lucasfilm
Animation.
Teo Ming Kian, chairman of the EDB
said, "This is a capstone for Singapore's digital media
industry. We already have an established base of 17
international cable and satellite broadcasters, a
burgeoning TV production sector as well as games
development. This new studio will not only provide
exceptional career opportunities for local animators and
people keen in the creative arts, it will also attract
top talent from the world over to live and work in
Singapore. It will help us further diversify our economy
and provide opportunities for our people with different
interests and competencies."
(Asia Pulse)
Aug 4, 2004
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