Nov.21.2022, Auckland ------ DNEG, a leading visual effects (VFX) and animation studio for the creation of feature film, television and multiplatform content, in coordination with New South Wales (NSW) Government, today outlined plans for a new VFX and animation studio in Sydney, Australia. The new studio, which will be located in Pyrmont, within Sydney’s Tech Central district, is slated to open in early 2023 and will have a total capacity of up to 500 seats.
George Miller's Furiosa is the much-anticipated return to the groundbreaking dystopian world he created more than 30 years ago with the iconic ‘Mad Max’ films, this time with an original, standalone action adventure that will reveal the origins of the powerhouse characters from the multiple Oscar®-winning global smash Mad Max: Fury Road. Furiosa is being produced in Australia by Miller and Oscar®-nominated producer Doug Mitchell and stars Anya Taylor-Joy in the titular role alongside Chris Hemsworth and Tom Burke. The film is a Warner Bros. Pictures production in association with Village Roadshow Pictures (US) and is expected to premiere in 2024.
DNEG Sydney will be a full service VFX studio, leading on complex VFX projects for film and episodic projects, and will also be home to a new studio for DNEG Animation, the animation studio behind Kid Cudi’s beautifully stylized, animated love story Entergalactic for Netflix.
Academy Award® and BAFTA-winning VFX Supervisor, and Australian national, Andrew Jackson, has relocated from DNEG London to head up the studio’s work as Creative Director for Sydney. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Jackson was Production VFX Supervisor for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which earned him an Academy Award® and BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects. Prior to that, Jackson received an Academy Award® nomination for his work on Mad Max: Fury Road. He has most recently completed work as Production VFX Supervisor for Nolan’s forthcoming biopic Oppenheimer.
One of DNEG’s first hires for the new studio is VFX Supervisor Dan Bethell, who joins from Rising Sun Pictures. Bethell is serving as DNEG VFX Supervisor on Furiosa, having previously received a Visual Effects Society (VES) Award for his work on Mad Max: Fury Road. Bethell’s previous credits as VFX Supervisor include Thor: Love and Thunder, Mortal Kombat, Extraction, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
DNEG’s expansion to Sydney is supported by the Australian State Government of New South Wales (NSW) and its $250 million Jobs Plus Program. Delivered through Investment NSW, the program provides eligible companies with support to establish and expand their footprint in NSW, including payroll tax relief, support for infrastructure, and subsidised training programs, along with the provision of free or subsidised government spaces and accommodation.
“Tech Central is Australia’s innovation hub and DNEG will be the next heavyweight to join a growing list of companies setting up shop in Sydney. The new site will include a fully functioning content services studio focusing on visual effects, animation, virtual production and gaming,” commented Dominic Perrottet, Premier of NSW.
NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the support will help create 472 direct and 554 indirect jobs by 2024.
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Department of Home Affairs assisted DNEG with extensive advice and introductions, including to Australian industry and government, as part of Global Australia Taskforce.
DNEG would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land where we get to live, create and tell our stories, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise the strength and enduring connection to the land and culture. This is and always will be Aboriginal land.
DNEG (www.dneg.com) is one of the world’s leading visual effects (VFX) and animation companies for the creation of feature film, television, and multiplatform content. DNEG employs nearly 8,000 people with worldwide offices and studios across North America (Los Angeles, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver), Europe (London), Asia (Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai and Mumbai), and Australia (Sydney).
DNEG’s critically acclaimed work has earned the company seven Academy Awards® for Best Visual Effects and numerous BAFTA and Primetime EMMY® Awards for its high-quality VFX work. Current and upcoming DNEG projects on behalf of its Hollywood and global studio and production company partners include Slumberland (November 2022), Devotion (November 2022), “1899” (November 2022), Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (December 2022), “The Witcher: Blood Origin” (December 2022), “The Last of Us” (January 2023), Shazam! Fury of the Gods (March 2023), Fast X (May 2023), The Flash (June 2023), Oppenheimer (July 2023), Coyote Vs Acme (July 2023), Meg 2: The Trench (August 2023), Haunted Mansion (August 2023), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (December 2023), Nimona (2023), Garfield (February 2024), and Furiosa (2024).