Double Negative’s Singapore studio that has delivered visual effects for movies like Godzilla, Man of Steel, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2 will no longer be functioning as it’s going to cease all operations.
Double Negative, a leading visual effects company, recently won an Oscar for its brilliant work on Ex Machina and recently announced that the Singapore facility which was opened in 2009 will cease all operations at its Singapore studio.
The company explained its reasons for closing in a written statement from Double Negative, managing director and co founder, Alex Hope. “Closing a facility is never an easy choice,” Hope said. “However we must be responsive to the requirements of our clients and ensure global operation is well balanced to meet their needs. The changing global dynamics of the film industry has focused the growth and development of our operations elsewhere in the world.”
In 2014, Indian conglomerate Prime Focus World acquired Double Negative and the studio underwent a round of layoffs last fall, during which around 80 employees were let go, prompting some industry observers to speculate that the studio might close soon.
“In closing the facility, our first priority is our staff,” Hope added. “We will be working closely with the relevant agencies in the Singapore Government to ensure that all support is given to our staff in finding them ongoing roles at one of Double Negative’s other facilities or potential training and placement in other firms in Singapore.”
Though Double Negative is closing down its Singapore facility, its facilities in London, Vancouver as well as in Mumbai (opened last June) continue to recruit and hire new employees. The positions along with locations available can be seen on their jobs page.
The shut down will take place by 20 May, 2016.
