CIS Visual Effects Group, based in Hollywood, Calif., and Vancouver, Canada, has acquired the assets of Postmodern Sydney. Purchase price was not disclosed.
Established in 2001, Postmodern is a design and visual effects shop serving high-end feature, commercial and TV clients in Australia and throughout Asia. Recent Postmodern projects include VFX for the Proyas/Summit Entertainment feature, Knowing, and the Spierig Brothers/Lionsgate feature Daybreakers. Recent commercial projects include McDonald’s “McHappy Day” for DDB Sydney, and Macquarie Bank’s “Out of the Box” for Leo Burnett.
“We’re at a point in our business growth where we’ve got some amazing work under our belt but for some time we’ve been looking for a strong partner to help us spread our wings,” said Andrew Robinson, Postmodern’s managing director. “For us that meant finding someone with great creative and technical credentials along with global recognition.”
“The CIS guys reached out to us late last year to talk about joining forces with them on an Australian shop,” continued Robinson. “We hit if off immediately with Don [Fly, CIS’ president/general manager] and his team, and their understanding of the Australian market. We look forward to bringing CIS technologies and capabilities into our creative pipeline for film studios, commercial production companies and television networks in addition to the independent feature market.”
The business will continue to operate as Postmodern from its existing premises with all key personnel remaining in place. Plans are underway to build a new purpose-built Sydney facility later this year to house an expanded CIS-Postmodern operation.
Fly said that CIS has been impressed with the caliber of VFX work coming out of Australia. He added, “The depth of Australian creative talent and strong governmental support for the industry make entering the Sydney market very attractive.”
In addition to Robinson, key players on the Postmodern management team are VFX director James Rogers and facilities manager Angus Reid.
CIS Visual Effects Group is a division of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc.
Robert Eggers and Willem Dafoe Reunite For “Nosferatu”
When Willem Dafoe enjoys working with a filmmaker, he'll often jump at the chance to do it again.
The list of directors with whom the 69-year-old has worked with more than once is extensive, including Wes Anderson,Yorgos Lanthimos,Paul Schrader,Lars von Trier and, now for a third time, Robert Eggers. "If it's good, you come back," Dafoe said plainly.
The pair spoke about Eggers' adaptation of "Nosferatu" that hits theaters Wednesday, some of the challenges they faced making "The Lighthouse" — their first project together released in 2019 — and the unique relationship that exists between actors and directors.
The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Q: Willem, I read that you called Robert after you saw "The Witch." What did you say?
DAFOE: I want to meet you and I want to know who this filmmaker is.
Q: What is it about him that keeps bringing you back?
DAFOE: Well, if it's good, you come back. When I saw "The Witch," I thought, "Wow, this is a film about a period that I'm not particularly knowledgeable about, but I enter it so easily. This is relevant. It's rooted. It's my story. I'm with these people."
That's quite an incredible trick because a lot of period films, they're always pointing to themselves. They're always sending messages. They're always showing. This had a kind of energy and the kind of physicality and sensuality that I thought, "Who does this? I gotta see this guy." And then I had a wonderful experience in "The Lighthouse" and I played a part that was really fun in "The Northman." So, when he wants to do this passion project and offers me this beautiful role of Professor Von Franz, I say,... Read More