Earlier this month, a bankruptcy judge fast-tracked an auction for financially troubled special effects company Digital Domain. On Sunday, the James Cameron-founded business announced that a joint venture between Galloping Horse America and Reliance MediaWorks will acquire Digital Domain Productions and subsidiary Mothership Media for $30.2M. Under the agreement, Chinese film and TV company Galloping Horse and India’s Reliance will pick up all the of the groups’ business assets including feature film and advertising visual effects, commercial production, studios in California and Vancouver and a co-production stake in Lionsgate’s Ender’s Game of which Digital Domain has been a co-producer. Galloping Horse holds a 70% stake with Reliance MediaWorks taking 30%. “This is a great day for Digital Domain,” said CEO Ed Ulbrich. “Our new partners have incredible strength and reach in the global entertainment marketplace. They are powerful strategic partners that understand our business and our clients’ business. Their support enables us to continue creating the highest quality entertainment and advertising and puts us in the strongest financial position that Digital Domain has ever been in. We are grateful to all of the bidders and couldn’t be more pleased with this outcome.” Searchlight Capital Partners had previously put forth a stalking horse bid of $15M for the businesses. A bankruptcy court hearing to greenlight the deal is scheduled for later today in New York.
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While people and organizations fight over ‘what can be done to save the US visual effects business?’…the answer is quite clear…move it to China.
The globalization of visual effects is a fact, and nothing can save the US visual effects industry over time…and, with each passing day the facilities outside the US will continue to grow and mature especially as many from the states have and will be hired to assist in this process.
Sadly, there is nothing that can or will be done to change this…not a union…not a trade organization…this genie left its lamp long ago and cannot be put back.
Amen.
GH had a massive investment in both the animated film they were doing with DD as well as equity (public shares) in DD. They had no choice but to double-down. Time will tell if it’s good money after bad.
If they know whats good for them. They won’t send it to China. The wages are increasing at an incredible rate. It is just a matter of time before the wages are the same or more than US wages. People will only be fooled so long.
Hey Anonymous,
Not in YOUR lifetime.