New Zealand's largest CG (computer-generated) animation studio has opened in Auckland.The Freemans Bay facility is a joint venture between Australian-owned Oktobor (part of the OmniLab Media group) and US company Backyark Animation Pictures.Its primary c
New Zealand’s largest CG (computer-generated) animation studio has opened in Auckland.
The Freemans Bay facility is a joint venture between Australian-owned Oktobor (part of the OmniLab Media group) and US company Backyark Animation Pictures.
Its primary client will be US kids network Nickelodeon, for which it will create animated series.
The Oktober Animation studio is open now, with around 30 staff onboard, Oktober GM Bruce Everett told NBR.
By September, it aims to have 100 staff, Mr Everett said.
Within four years, numbers should swell to 300.
That will make Oktobor Animation the largest purpose-built CG studio in New Zealand, eclipsed in scale only by the more general Weta Digital operation.
Mr Everett said he did not anticipate that recruitment would be a problem.
With several NZQA-certified institutions offering animation courses, there is currently a “surplus of crew” in the CG area.
Oktobor Animation will work with course providers to deliver graduates between 120 and 140 contract jobs.
The studio boss thought that Oktober would not compete head-to-head for Weta with staff, as their projects were complementary and would "draw from different talent pools".
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place “in a few months”, Mr Everett said, once politicians schedules could be coordinated.
