Wētā FX has opened its Vancouver office as part of the next phase of the company’s growth following the $1.6 billion technology deal with Unity late last year. Wētā’s Vancouver presence marks the company’s first dedicated visual effects office outside its home-base of New Zealand, complementing the executive offices in Los Angeles and signaling the beginning of Wētā’s commitment to international expansion and scale.
“The global growth in entertainment content has allowed us the flexibility to really pursue the projects we want and to expand our business model to tap into talent in more locations around the world,” said Prem Akkaraju, CEO of Wētā FX. “Vancouver is an established market for VFX, animation and games talent and we look forward to welcoming them into the Wētā FX family.”
The Vancouver office will work on a wide range of shows including the Avatar sequels, the first of which will hit theatres in December 2022. Wētā FX is also currently also working on a dozen unannounced projects for various studios and has recently completed work on WB’s The Batman and Marvel’s Moon Knight and Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The Vancouver location will initially house 75 artists with a vision to expand beyond that before the end of the year.
Wētā FX has been on a steady growth trajectory over the last couple of years with the establishment of Wētā Studios to produce original content and Wētā Animated to take advantage of the company’s decades-long legacy of bringing to life some of the industry’s most memorable digital characters.
SixTwentySix names Hayley Diaz as head of production
SixTwentySix has appointed Hayley Diaz as head of production. With a career spanning notable production companies such as Framestore Pictures, REVERIE Content, PRETTYBIRD, and Rattling Stick, Diaz brings a mix of creative intuition, operational mastery, and deep industry experience.
Over the past decade, Diaz has shaped projects for brands and artists that define culture, from Nike, Apple, and Netflix to Anderson .Paak, Harry Styles, and Solange. Diaz has navigated the complexities of live-action production at every level, managing shoots across the globe.
“At SixTwentySix, delivering at the highest level has always been our priority. As our ambitions continue to grow, we knew we needed a head of production who could not only manage the scale but elevate our entire approach,” said Jake Krask, co-founder and managing partner at SixTwentySix. “The moment we met Hayley Diaz, we knew she was the right fit. Her expertise, leadership, and deep understanding of production make her an invaluable addition to the team. She brings a level of precision and experience that will strengthen our production department and enhance the way we serve our clients. We’re thrilled to have her on board and excited for what’s ahead.”
“At SixTwentySix, we move fast, think big, and refuse to settle for the obvious. Hayley gets that. She’s built her career on making the impossible happen, and we couldn’t ask for a better leader to evolve our production game,” added SixTwentySix co-founder and executive producer Austin Barbera.
For Diaz, stepping into this role is about more than just overseeing production--it’s about amplifying what makes SixTwentySix different. “There’s a hunger here. A drive to create work that actually resonates, not... Read More