LOS ANGELES — Oscar-winning visual effects company Pixomondo (pixomondo.com) and Canadian TV & film equipment rental business William F. White International (whites.com) are collaborating to build LED volumes across Canada, with a combined initial capital commitment of more than $30M. Under the new arrangement, William F. White and Pixomondo will co-rent LED volume equipment, with two new stages already under joint construction in Vancouver and Toronto. Several other sites across Canada will follow in 2022.
Virtual production represents a paradigm shift in the way film and television content is made. Digital environments rendered in realtime with the latest LED technology to deliver an immersive production experience and provide clients with enhanced creative control and in-camera visual effects that save time and money on expensive post production visual effects or diverse filming locations.
The high demand for virtual production shoots, coupled with strong bookings at Toronto’s first LED volume in the city’s West End, prompted the decision to formalize the working arrangement over the long term. The second Toronto stage will be completed in July and is designed for short-term bookings and projects with quick turnaround times. It will be based at Studio City’s recently-completed development at the east end of the city's downtown core, close to Pixomondo’s Toronto office at Revival Studios and WFW’s Toronto office and Pinewood Studios.
The new Vancouver stage, which will be the largest build of the three sites to date, is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in September 2021. As with the first Toronto stage, the two new volumes will be operated by on-set Pixomondo personnel for all productions, including those using the company’s 3D environment creation services. Pixomondo and WFW have designed and will build the volumes in close collaboration with their technology partners Brompton Technology, Epic Games, Lenovo, Nvidia and ROE Visual.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to formalize our collaboration with WFW and their unassailable track record in film and TV equipment rental and studio property management,” notes Jonny Slow, Pixomondo CEO. “Combined with Pixomondo’s award winning VFX offering, and a game-changing capital commitment from both parties, we are excited to confirm additional virtual production investment into Canada and into these state-of-the-art physical production techniques.”
“As leaders in our respective industries, our two companies are such a natural fit when it comes to providing a full-service client experience that is truly unmatched in the world of virtual production,” adds Garin Josey, executive vice president/chief operating officer, WFW. “This next phase we’re embarking on together has the potential to radically change the production process. These LED volumes in Vancouver and Toronto are only a preview of what’s to come.”
“Over the past few months, we’ve been building a fantastic relationship with Jonny and the team at Pixomondo, and we’re eagerly anticipating a bright future together,” says Rick Perotto, vice president, business development, WFW. “Our local offices in Vancouver and Toronto will provide virtual production clients with access to a world-class selection of production equipment to support their every need.”