Technicolor has entered into an exclusive agreement with Mediacontech to acquire Mikros Image, a French production and post company with bases of operation in Paris and Montreal. The deal–which is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2015–bolsters Technicolor on the animation and ad industry fronts.
Mikros Image has talent and resources in place spanning production and post for features, TV, commercials and branded content. Its work in advertising includes campaigns for Evian, Dior and Audi. Mikros’ feature animation division, located mainly in Montreal, has developed a proven pipeline, built a strong team of artists, and has to its credit such projects as Asterix: The Land of the Gods, The Little Prince and Munes. Mikros Image generated €44 million of revenue in 2014.
“The acquisition of Mikros Image aligns with our strategic objective to grow in animation and advertising,” said Technicolor’s CEO Frederic Rose. “Their proven expertise in feature animation film and advertising will strengthen our offering.”
The animation market has been identified as a major growth driver for the Technicolor Group as part of its 2020 strategic plan. The transaction complements Technicolor’s animation services which recently grew with the acquisition of Ouido Productions, a French-based production house specializing in animated TV series.
Mikros Image will retain its own brand, management and culture of creativity and be added to Technicolor’s brands portfolio, which already includes MPC, Mr. X, Ouido and Technicolor.
Review: Writer-Directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood’s “Heretic”
"Heretic" opens with an unusual table setter: Two young missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are discussing condoms and why some are labeled as large even though they're all pretty much a standard size. "What else do we believe because of marketing?" one asks the other.
That line will echo through the movie, a stimulating discussion of religion that emerges from a horror movie wrapper. Despite a second-half slide and feeling unbalanced, this is the rare movie that combines lots of squirting blood and elevated discussion of the ancient Egyptian god Horus.
Our two church members — played fiercely by Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East — are wandering around trying to covert souls when they knock on the door of a sweet-looking cottage. Its owner, Mr. Reed, offers a hearty "Good afternoon!" He welcomes them in, brings them drinks and promises a blueberry pie. He's also interested in learning more about the church. So far, so good.
Mr. Reed is, of course, if you've seen the poster, the baddie and he's played by Hugh Grant, who doesn't go the snarling, dead-eyed Hannibal Lecter route in "Heretic." Grant is the slightly bumbling, bashful and self-mocking character we fell in love with in "Four Weddings and a Funeral," but with a smear of menace. He gradually reveals that he actually knows quite a bit about the Mormon religion — and all religions.
"It's good to be religious," he says jauntily and promises his wife will join them soon, a requirement for the church. Homey touches in his home include a framed "Bless This Mess" needlepoint on a wall, but there are also oddities, like his lights are on a timer and there's metal in the walls and ceilings.
Writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Wood — who also... Read More