On 4 August it was official that Toronto’s leading animation and visual effects studio, Arc Productions has pulled its shutters down and entered receivership under Deloitte Restructuring. Now, it’s learnt that Boat Rocker Media’s latest acquisition, Jam Filled Entertainment, a leading full service animation company in Canada, has purchased the principal assets of Arc Productions. This acquisition leads to Jam Filled’s expansion into Toronto, effective immediately, with the new office opening with approximately 200 employees, adding world-class 3D pipelines to Jam Filled’s capabilities.
“With Jam Filled, we collectively recognised the merit and potential for expansion within the premium animation space. By adding incredible talent with 3D expertise in Toronto, Jam Filled is now in production on select 3D projects as of today, while also retaining the ability to take on additional properties immediately,” said Boat Rocker Media, co-executive chairmen, David Fortier and Ivan Schneeberg, and CEO, John Young. “We are extremely excited to expand Jam Filled’s unique culture of professionalism and creativity with a new team, new partners and clients from around the world.”
The executive leadership and oversee production will be provided by Jam Filled Entertainment, president, Kyle Mac Dougall, and creative directors, Jamie Leclaire and Phil Lafrance. Boat Rocker will continue to provide capital investment, business support and guidance to the entire Jam Filled team.
“Jam Filled, with the support of Boat Rocker Media, is committed to creating great animated content and we are excited by this new stage in the company’s growth,” said Mac Dougall, Leclaire and Lafrance. “We knew Boat Rocker’s investment would create new opportunities to do what we love while paving the way for us to create big waves in the family and animation space. The acquisition of these new assets allows Jam Filled and its growing team of extraordinary animators to show off our animation service capabilities, as well as expand our staff to work on new and exciting projects in the kids and family sector.”
Arc Productions, which rebranded from Starz Animation in 2011, was tapped to produce the animation for Guillermo del Toro’s new Trollhunters series for Netflix, as well as the forthcoming Kody Kapow, which is set to air on Sprout in 2017. The studio was currently in production on an original animated feature, Blazing Samurai, which is scheduled for release by Open Road Films in August 2017.
Boat Rocker Media, a global entertainment company that creates, produces and distributes premium content and brands, recently acquired Jam Filled Entertainment as a strategic investment to grow its family and kids content. Founded in 2008, Jam Filled is a full-service digital animation studio headquartered in Ottawa, employing over 150 artists and animators working with a Toon Boom pipeline.