Dated: 28 April 2005
Singaporeans from two up-and-coming local media companies, Interactive Visual Laboratory (IV Lab) and Lingan Mill, are joining the team assembled by Weta Workshop and Nelvana Limited on Jane and the Dragon, a world-class TV animation series.
Jane and the Dragon is a 26-episode, half-hour 3-D animated series co-produced by the Oscar-winning team at Weta Workshop of New Zealand –best known for its stunning visual work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy –and renowned Canadian entertainment company Nelvana.
Targeting the six to 11 set, the series stars Jane, a headstrong knight in the King's Guard who –unlike most 12-year-old girls of her time –has a suit of armor in her closet, a sword at her belt and an unforgettable and unpredictably endearing 300-year-old dragon by her side. The series will begin broadcast in early 2006.
Both IV Lab and Lingan Mill are contributing members to the Jane team in New Zealand. The staff from both companies, whose roles will include motion editing and shot technical directing, will be working directly with Richard Taylor, Weta's Oscar-winning head, and Martin Baynton, the New Zealand author, at Weta's famously secretive workshop in Wellington, New Zealand.
All involved are excited by the contributions that the Singapore element will add, bringing a new set of perspectives to the projects, joining the innovative technical approaches for which Weta is well known, and the depth of experience which Nelvana embodies. The involvement of Singapore talents also allows them to learn the dynamics and approaches of the animation tools created and applied by the Weta team.
Weta's Richard Taylor says, "Having the Singapore group here with us during the pre-production process was fantastically energising. Their enthusiasm and the new perspectives that they bring have already added to the approach we're taking to the project. Of course we are going to expand this involvement as we move into production. We'd be fools not to take advantage of the talent they bring."
"Nelvana is pleased to be Weta's partner on Jane and the Dragon, and we welcome the technical contributions of the Singaporean team," says Nelvana's Executive VP of Production and Development Scott Dyer. "The Jane project will certainly open new opportunities for cooperation and collaboration between New Zealand, Singapore, and Canada."
The contributions by the Singaporeans are significant to Singapore, as well as the project, says the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) Chairman, Dr Tan Chin Nam. "It is first-rate, world-class exposure that they are getting through their involvement in the project and this sort of experience is what our animation industry needs if we are to produce quality animation projects that have worldwide appeal. This is also another step in building a long term win-win relationship with our friends in New Zealand and Canada."
Another benefit, says Dr. Tan, is that Singapore’s team will have exposure to the practical demands of Jane as a Canadian-New Zealand co-production. This experience strengthens the foundation for future Singapore-New Zealand or other Singapore-international partner co-productions, consistent with the vision behind the New Zealand-Singapore audio-visual co-production agreement signed in July last year.
Mr Seah Moon Ming, President, ST Electronics &Chairman, STTS, has a similar perspective, "We are pleased to be part of this co-operative effort, which brings together a perfect partnership and learning opportunity for animation value-chain players. The experience that our staff will gain is invaluable to our efforts to build our capabilities, and will add to the overall growth of the animation industry in Singapore."
IV Lab is a subsidiary of ST Training &Simulation Pte Ltd (STTS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of ST Electronics.
"Three of our people are already deep into the pipeline work there and more will be going over as production ramps up." said Mr Luke Loh of Lingan Mill. "We will continue to find such opportunities for talented local people to be involved in quality projects at the international level."
The Jane relationship is also part of the overall effort to expand the platform for more Singapore involvements in offshore co-productions, whether with Weta, Nelvana, or other parties.
Media Contacts:
Sharanjit Kaur (Ms)
Manager
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Media Development Authority
Email : Sharanjit_KAUR@imda.gov.sg
Casey Chang (Ms)
Assistant Director
Corporate &Marketing Communications
Media Development Authority
Email : Casey_CHANG@imda.gov.sg
Magdalen Loh (Ms)
AVP / Head, Corporate Communications
Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited
Tel: (65) 6413-1788
Fax: (65) 6484-8840
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