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Starz Opens State-of-the-Art Animation Studio in Toronto

U.S. media company Starz, LLC has announced the opening of one of Canada's largest studios and the appointment of veteran animation executive David Steinberg to run it. Initially the studio will have 150 employees, but it is expected to grow substantially as new projects begin production. The studio will produce computer-generated animated feature films and more.

"The talent and technical support in Canada are second to none in the world," said Chairman and CEO Robert B. Clasen. "And we're kicking off the production schedule with a feature produced by Tim Burton, one of the world's top film artists."

Production has just begun on 9, Focus Features' animated theatrical release that tells the story of a band of courageous rag dolls that battle for the survival of civilization in a post-apocalyptic parallel world. 9 is being produced by Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov, and Jim Lemley, and directed by Shane Acker, based on his Student Academy Award-winning animated short. The film will feature the voices of Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, and John C. Reilly.

Prior to joining Starz Animation Toronto, Steinberg spent a decade as a producer and executive at Walt Disney Feature Animation, where he helped shepherd such films as MEET THE ROBINSONS, MULAN, HERCULES, TARZAN and others. Previously, he was executive producer on Turner Feature Animation's CATS DON'T DANCE and THE PAGEMASTER, and spent a decade with animation legend Don Bluth, where he was instrumental in such films as THE SECRET OF NIMH, AN AMERICAN TAIL and THE LAND BEFORE TIME. Steinberg also directed character animation for a Universal Studios Florida attraction, the video game DRAGON'S LAIR 2, and various international commercials.

As executive vice president of Starz Animation Toronto, Steinberg will be charged with initiating proprietary feature animation projects as well as securing projects from third parties. The studio will also produce animation for TV, commercials and live action visual effects.

Starz Animation Toronto has been built on the foundation laid by a venerable Toronto animation house. Since Starz acquired the company in late 2006, it has invested heavily to prepare the new studio to produce world-class projects.

The studio recently completed production on THE PIRATES WHO DON'T DO ANYTHING: A VEGGIETALES MOVIE, for Universal Pictures and Big Idea, Inc. This project, which was begun under previous ownership at the studio, was produced by Paula Marcus and directed by Mike Nawrocki. It is due for release theatrically by Universal Pictures.

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