UK-based visual effects organisation Outpost VFX, known for The Wheel of Time, is all set to open it’s base in Mumbai. They have announced the launch of their first Indian facility in 2022.
Syamantak Thakur who joins as GM, will bring Outpost’s unique culture and benefits to India, including its enhanced holiday entitlement and paid overtime policy.
“Entering any new region is tough – you have to find leaders that exude the beliefs and ways of working that we’ve adopted throughout Outpost. In Sam we have a leader that not only lives and breathes putting artists first but also has exemplary local knowledge of the market and a proven track record of delivering at the highest level. We couldn’t be happier to have Sam on board and I’m looking forward to bringing Outpost’s positive approach to the region,” said Outpost VFX COO Gez Hixson.
Thakur has joined Outpost from Technicolor where he was the department management head, having previously spent five years as TRACE VFX GM. He is currently overseeing a team of 60 artists who have been working alongside Outpost’s other facilities to create high-end VFX for film and episodic projects.
“This is a really exciting opportunity for us to bring the Outpost culture to Mumbai. Our facility here will be wholly aligned with the values and beliefs of the studios in Bournemouth, Montreal, LA and London. This extends to our ‘Life Time’ holiday entitlement and paid overtime. I want to ensure the studio has an employee-centric, friendly and welcoming culture where every person is valued, respected and recognised for their efforts; something that I believe is often neglected in the Indian VFX market,” said Thakur.
“In the same way that our studio will culturally be an extension of the other Outpost studios globally, our Mumbai team will also be offering the same end-to-end services as the other studios. In time, we will have the capability to cover the full gamut of VFX with our own 3D departments and CG artists,” he further added.
Operating remotely throughout 2021, the Outpost Mumbai team has already been working on high-profile productions including The Wheel of Time, Foundation, and Star Trek: Picard. The facility will be based in the western suburbs when it opens in 2022.
The opening of its Mumbai facility arrives during a period of sustained growth for Outpost following its expansion into Los Angeles in early 2021 and the recent opening of its London facility.
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