U.K.-headquartered Cinesite with an office in Montreal and Canada's Image Engine today announced a merger of their two companies. The alliance gives the two entities a combined staff of over 525 artists worldwide, with capacity for 675 at their studios in London, Vancouver and Montréal. Both companies are thus well positioned to deliver visual effects and animation services to their mutual global customer base.
“Cinesite and Image Engine are totally complementary to each other,” stated Antony Hunt, managing director of Cinesite. “We will continue operating in our various geographical locations and our focus will continue on our different core visual effects strengths. In addition, Cinesite is also leading the charge into feature animation. We’re working on very compelling projects including original IP from our development company, Comic Animations Ltd., and on projects brought to us by the studios. This work can now be shared across all three locations.”
Greg Holmes, Image Engine CEO, added, “In addition to widening our reach to achieve even greater heights in high-end visual effects, this alliance will present new career development opportunities for all our artists and crews, and will deliver benefits and opportunities to all our stakeholders, be they staff, customers, suppliers, financial partners or shareholders.”
Cinesite, which originally opened its doors in London in 1994, is an industry leader in visual effects and feature animation services. Since then it has contributed BAFTA and Academy Award nominated and winning visual effects to films including X-Men: Days of Future Past, Iron Man 3, the Harry Potter series of films and The Golden Compass. It is currently working on productions including Now You See Me: The Second Act, Ant-Man, Spectre, The Last Witch Hunter, Gods of Egypt, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and The Revenant.
Founded in Vancouver in 1995, Image Engine has built a strong reputation for producing top quality visual effects for film and high-end television. Nominated for an Academy Award for its work on Neill Blomkamp’s District 9 in 2009, the studio has gone on to work on such high-profile productions as Elysium, Chappie, Jurassic World, Game of Thrones and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Forthcoming releases include Point Break and Straight Outta Compton.
Oscar and Emmy-Winning Composer Kris Bowers Joins Barking Owl For Advertising, Branded Content
Music, audio post and sonic branding house Barking Owl has taken on exclusive representation of Oscar and Emmy-winning composer Kris Bowers for advertising and branded content.
Bowers’ recent film scores include The Wild Robot and Bob Marley: One Love, alongside acclaimed past works such as The Color Purple (2023), King Richard and Green Book. His contributions to television are equally impressive, with scores for hit series like Bridgerton, When They See Us, Dear White People, and his Daytime Emmy Award-winning score for The Snowy Day.
In addition to his work as a composer, Bowers is a visionary director. He recently took home the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject for his directorial work on The Last Repair Shop. The emotionally touching short film spotlights four of the people responsible for repairing the musical instruments used by students in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The Last Repair Shop reflects the positive influence that musical instruments have on the youngsters who play them, and the adults in the LAUSD free repair service who keep them working and in tune.
Barking Owl CEO Kirkland Alexander Lynch said of Bowers, “His artistry, diversity of style and depth of storytelling bring an unparalleled edge to the work we create for global brands. His presence on our roster reflects our continued commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound and music in advertising.”
Johanna Cranitch, creative director, Barking Owl, added, “Kris first caught my attention when he released his record ‘Heroes + Misfits’ where he fused together his jazz sensibility with a deeply ingrained aptitude for melody, so beautifully.... Read More