US based Sony Pictures Imageworks (SPI) has announced an equity investment in renowned visual effects and animation studio FrameFlow, which has its production operations in Chennai. As part of the deal, FrameFlow will become Imageworks India and will work seamlessly with Sony Pictures Imageworks’ main production facility in Culver City, California.
The newly named entity expects to quadruple its workload in the coming years and deepen its capabilities through investments in infrastructure, technology and training from Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Imageworks India also plans a significant growth in its current talent base of 80 employees. To accommodate anticipated expansion, Imageworks India will relocate to a larger facility in Chennai with a seating capacity of up to 300.
�The level of professionalism and quality of work that we experienced in working with the FrameFlow team was exemplary, and gave us the confidence to extend and establish a strong long term relationship,� said Jenny Fulle, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Imageworks and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India. �We are very excited about expanding our capacity with Imageworks India in Chennai.
Hitesh Shah, co-founder of FrameFlow and now the Co-Managing Director of Imageworks India commented, “We are extremely excited to announce this partnership with Sony Pictures Imageworks, an Academy Award-winning visual effects and animation facility. We are deeply honored to be chosen to join the Imageworks family. It’s a testament to the passion and talent of our team and creative leadership of Krishnakant Mishra to receive this supreme validation of the quality of our workâ€?
Also speaking at the occasion, Abhaya Kumar, Managing Director of FrameFlow’s Indian operation added, �This relationship represents the culmination of our strategic vision to expand and deepen our capabilities through integration with an industry leader like Imageworks. We look at this strategic investment as a part of the continuing Indian Success Story – one that elevates the standing of the whole Indian visual effects and animation industry on the global stage.�
FrameFlow was founded three years ago to deliver high-quality effects support to top facilities worldwide. Prior to becoming Imageworks India, FrameFlow proved its value by working with Sony Pictures Imageworks on movies such as CLICK, GHOST RIDER and SPIDER-MAN® 3 among many other projects.
As part of Sony Pictures Imageworks, Imageworks India will continue to provide visual effects and animation services as a resource to the industry. Imageworks India (formerly FrameFlow), has been a trusted partner to other top visual effects and animation studios in the U.S. and the United Kingdom.