Radar Pictures of Los Angeles (THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK and THE LAST SAMURAI) has agreed to a minority interest in the Canadian visual effects group of companies that includes C.O.R.E. Feature Animation and C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures of Toronto.
Said Bob Munroe, president/co-founder of C.O.R.E.: "Partnering with one of Hollywood's most successful independent production companies will give us greater access to the resources required to bring major animated feature films to market.
In 2003, C.O.R.E. was engaged to create the 3D-animated feature, THE WILD, for Disney and San Francisco-based hoytyboy. Today, C.O.R.E.'s companies are reputed to be the largest employer of digital animators in Canada, with a staff of more than 400.
With the increasing number of productions expected as a result of the Radar Pictures deal, C.O.R.E. will solidify its position as one of the industry's major players in the creation of animated features, driving the growth of southern Ontario as a global cluster for world-caliber animation.
Said Ted Field, founder/ceo of Radar: "We've believed for some time that computer-generated animation will play a growing role in feature films. We also believe the natural evolution of our business is to move into feature animation. So we began to look for a company that had some unique qualities; first and obviously, it had to have loads of talent and a strong track record. But it also had to share our vision of creating an independent North American animation studio. C.O.R.E. is already producing films that rival the established animation producers."
In the spring of 1994, Bob Munroe, John Mariella, Kyle Menzies and actor, director and writer William Shatner founded C.O.R.E., a Toronto-based company and leading creator of digital visual effects and animation for feature film and television. Almost a decade later, C.O.R.E. has built three divisions with a staff of more than 400 people: C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures (www.coredp.com), C.O.R.E. Toons and C.O.R.E. Feature Animation. World-renowned for its 3D work, C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures has worked on numerous projects, most recently the 3D creatures for RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE.
Radar Pictures (www.radarpictures.com) was formed in 1999 to finance, produce, license and acquire feature length motion pictures with a wide range of budgets and content for a global audience. Upcoming for 2005 release are a remake of the classic THE AMITYVILLE HORROR and ZATHURA, which is based on a book by JUMANJI writer Chris Van Allsburg.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
