Prime Focus has announced a substantial investment in the infrastructure at its London and New York facilities. The investment is part of the company‘s ongoing expansion plans, which also sees a management restructure within the London business.
Broadcast Facilities Director Rowan Bray steps up to become Managing Director, Broadcast and Independent Film in the UK, allowing Simon Briggs to fully assume his role as Group Managing Director in the UK. Rowan joined Prime Focus from Halo in November 2009 and has been a driving force in the recent successes of both divisions.
Anne Marie Phelan, the former Studio Sales Manager at The Hospital Club, arrives at the Old Compton St Broadcast facility to take up a Senior Sales role. A specialist in entertainment and comedy, and highly experienced in dealing with HD workflows, Anne Marie has been brought in to drive the move into this exciting market, further diversifying Prime Focus‘ broadcast offering. She has also held positions at Channel 4 and WTN in a career that has spanned more than 22 years.
The proposed ?1.5m kit investment is aimed at improving data workflows and creative output for its existing client base and its growing business in new markets. The new kit includes the purchase of four Baselight data grading consoles along with two Dolby Professional Reference Monitors for optimum colour grading. There have also been upgrades to the latest DS hardware and software in London and an expansion and full upgrade of the Broadcast division‘s central offline Editshare storage system as well as the installation of a Trinoy equalising unit in the Audio department.
This growth has also seen the creation of a dedicated drama floor that houses one of the new Baselight‘s and an upgraded DS suite. Having posted the final series of Spooks for Kudos, the award-winning team are currently working on Hartswood‘s latest Sherlock series.
Prime Focus‘ new 13,300 sq ft facility in New York‘s West Village launches at the start of 2012 and signals a renewed drive into the area‘s advertising, broadcast, content services and feature film markets. As part of this expansion Senior Flame Artist Anne Trotman, has moved from Prime Focus Commercials in London to boost the local VFX offering in New York.
With Anshul Doshi focusing on his role as Global Chief Operating Officer, Bernard Kumeta joins Simon Briggs at Group level and assumes the role of Director of Strategy and Finance. In this role Bernard will be responsible for the Group business strategy and financials and will work closely alongside Simon, Anshul and the other members of the Senior Management Team.
Commenting on the announcement, Group Managing Director, UK Simon Briggs said “This is an exciting time for the Company with expansion and investment on both sides of the Atlantic. Rowan‘s appointment enables me to fully oversee this strategy and allows her to take the Broadcast division forward as it diversifies its creative offering and operating markets. It also completes the UK Group‘s management structure.”
