Hollywood visual effects firm spearheads industry discussion on keeping work in Los Angeles vs. globalization.
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2006 -- LOOK Effects (www.lookfx.com), the Hollywood-based visual effects company whose credits include The Blood Diamond, Next, The Fountain, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and Little Miss Sunshine, hosted the first annual VFX roundtable on September 28 at its El Capitan headquarters in Hollywood. The event attracted a number of top-tier media and industry professionals including studio department heads, post-production and VFX supervisors, tax and legal specialists, and representatives from the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the California Film Commission, and Visual Effects Society. The evening, moderated by Daily Variety’s David Cohen, focused on the central theme: ‘Visual Effects Production: Keeping Work in Los Angeles vs. Globalization’ and featured lively debate on what can and should be done to keep VFX production work in Los Angeles and alternatives that make sense for Los Angeles VFX companies to consider.
Some of the key points raised during the course of the evening included the following:
- Globalization: Visual effects is now a global business with a presence in countries including Canada, South America, New Zealand, Australia, India, Turkey and China.
- Alien Allure: The alarming fact that there are currently more incentives to do business elsewhere than Los Angeles on State and Federal levels.
- Satellite Offices: The viability of Los Angeles-based VFX firms to open up offices in other countries?
- Bureaucracy: The inability of Los Angeles (and California) to pass legislation that would keep VFX production in Los Angeles
- Los Angeles’ Talent Pool: The majority of the world’s best VFX talent is concentrated in Los Angeles. What can be done to make sure it stays here and doesn’t follow work overseas?
- Making Los Angeles Competitive: The urgent need for a plan to offer tax breaks and other incentives to keep work in Los Angeles (similar to what New York and other states have done)
- The Bigger Picture: Globalization is not just a factor concerning production dollars. If more of the entertainment industry moves overseas so do other industries, e.g. tourism
- VFX Budgets: Can VFX budgets be separated and kept in Los Angeles even if the rest of the production budget goes out of the country?
- Complacency: Has Hollywood become complacent about keeping work in Los Angeles?
- ‘Let’s Keep it in Los Angeles’: What can the local VFX community do to unite and keep work in Los Angeles?
“LOOK Effects was proud to host a forum for constructive dialogue on the issues that
currently face our industry,” said host and President of LOOK Effects Mark Driscoll. “The evening raised some great points that the industry should be aware of and addressed. We look forward to once again bringing together leaders from the visual effects community to effect positive change for our industry and the individuals who work so hard to bring the creative to fruition.”
About Look Effects
Look Effects is a leading provider of digital effects solutions for feature film, entertainment television and commercial projects with its services including digital effects design, supervision and production, 3D animation and compositing services. Its team of diversely talented artists, designers and producers has pioneered a flexible production model that enables them to achieve stunning results to efficiently realize creative visions. Credits for this team of high-end professionals include television projects such as Criminal Minds, Bones, Malcolm in the Middle, and CSI: NY and features including The Blood Diamond, Pirates of the Caribbean 2, The Fountain, Next, The Producers, Little Miss Sunshine, Rocky Balboa, Superman II and Fur. Look Effects is available on the Web at http://www.lookfx.com.
For more information on the VFX Roundtable or LOOK Effects please contact:
Liam Collopy
Vice President
LCO - Levine Communications Office
1180 S. Beverly Dr. Third Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90035
E: lcollopy @ LCOonline.com
T: 310.300.0950 x 232
F: 310.300.0951
www.LCOonline.com
Alastair Duncan
LCO - Levine Communications Office Inc.
1180 S. Beverly Drive Third Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90035
E. aduncan @ LCOonline.com
T. 310.300.0950 x234
F. 310.300.0951
www.LCOonline.com
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