Press Release from Omnilab Media

AUCKLAND, 16 November 2010 – Omnilab Media and Oktobor, its award winning visual effects, animation and digital creative convergence studio, today officially opened their new Auckland-based Computer Generated (CG) animation studio - Oktobor Animation, which it has created and launched in conjunction with Backyard Animated Pictures (USA).

The opening was attended by His Worship The Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, the Hon. Dr. Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science and Technology, Omnilab Media Managing Director Christopher Mapp, Nickelodeon Animation Studios Senior Vice President and General Manager Mark Taylor and other key members of industry, government and the media.

Held at Oktobor Animation’s studios in Auckland, festivities included an Iwi Blessing, Pōwhiri Welcome Ceremony and the world premiere of Oktobor Animation's first completed episode of DreamWorks' "Penguins of Madagascar".

Oktobor MD Bruce Everett said, “Oktobor Animation is a very significant CG animation business servicing the world famous Nickelodeon Studios. We are already creating multiple CG animated television series for them and I’m delighted to say we have already secured a long-term contract which will see Oktobor Animation have the great fortune of working on several high profile and highly rated television series including "The Penguins of Madagascar" based on the hit DreamWorks animated feature. Production has already commenced and currently our staff number 80. By mid-next year we expect to have a crew of over 120 artists and technicians. In fact, we anticipate Oktobor Animation will provide up to 300 jobs over the first four years.”

Oktobor Animation will also provide openings to the growing number of regional CG artists offering up to fifteen 3-month paid internships up to four times per year to top graduates of local NZQA schools and between 120-140 contract jobs at their Auckland facility.

The significant new CG animation studio is a first for New Zealand and comes as a result of many months planning and negotiation with both Nickelodeon and Backyard.

Everett continued, “It has been a long and worthwhile process bringing Oktobor Animation to life. We began initial discussions with Backyard and presented our proposal for Oktobor Animation to Nickelodeon early this year. I must say the Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) rebate has been a key economic driver in helping us bring this business into the Auckland area. We have received invaluable assistance from the Ministry of Economic Development, as well as input from New Zealand Film Commission and Film New Zealand in order to make this business opportunity viable.”

Formed in 2001, Oktobor is a world-class visual effects and animation studio based in Auckland. Oktobor has a global reputation for providing high-end visual effects for television commercials and feature films, interactive and entertainment productions and also offers a comprehensive range of visual effects production services from animation to full colour grade and interactive media. Oktobor’s global client list includes, among others, Kraft Malaysia, McDonald’s, Vodafone, M1, Tiger Beer, Lexus, Sony and Singapore Airlines.

Formed in California in 1997 as a CG studio, Backyard has provided narrative content and services for clients including 20th Century Fox, EMI, Classic Media, and CCI and interactive content for some of the largest publishers in the world such as Electronic Arts and Activision. The previous management of Backyard is now working at Oktobor Animation with Chris Waters, Rob DiFiglia, Jason Adams and Dan Wang bringing their high-end animation pipeline and production expertise to the new venture.