WA animated about international deal

Bunbury production company, the Vue Group, has signed a multi-million dollar contract with a China-based design studio to develop three animated feature films in the South-West.

  • Two WA production companies sign deals to co-produce animated feature films 

  • Bunbury studio expected to employ up to 50 new animators

  • Animations made in WA will be screened around the world  

Bunbury production company, the Vue Group, has signed a multi-million dollar contract with a China-based design studio to develop three animated feature films in the South-West.

Over the next three years, the deal will create up to 50 new animation jobs in Bunbury and provide an estimated $15million boost to the local economy. 

The Vue Group will work with the Shanghai Hippo Animation Design Company to produce the animations, valued at $57million, which will be viewed by audiences around the world. 

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day said China had the world's largest animation market and this partnership would create opportunities for the Vue Group and other Western Australian studios.

"This groundbreaking partnership will lift WA's status as a creative destination with a highly skilled and talented workforce that can operate on an international level," Mr Day said.

"An elite team of 25 Australian creative animators will be employed, trained and developed at the Vue Group's Bunbury office.  At full capacity this group will grow to 50, diversifying the local economy and broadening the mix of industries and occupations in the area.

"The fact that these projects can be created in regional WA and then shown to national and international audiences confirms the strength and diversity of WA's film industry."

Perth-based ZAC Films has also signed with the Shanghai Hippo Animation Design Company to co-produce the three animated films Jungle Master 2, The Awesomes and Deep Sea, an adventure comedy.  The total production budget for the films is expected to exceed $30million. 

The Minister said the agreements were the result of ScreenWest and the Department of State Development's Perth and China offices establishing strong relationships with the Chinese screen industry. 

 

         Fact File

  • Shanghai Hippo Animation Design Company and the Vue Group will co-produce films including The Adventures of Marco Polo and The Rabbit 2

  • All films will be in English and sub-titled in Chinese to appeal to a broad audience

  • Hippo intends to launch a $10million WA/China Film Fund designed to co-finance films

  • For more information, visit http://www.screenwest.wa.gov.au/

Minister's office - 6552 6200