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Barbara Ford Grant Named President NEP Prysm Stages

Role NEP Group’s newly formed business unit will focus on expanding company’s global virtual production solutions while supporting its network of permanent stages for film and tv.

NEP Group has named Barbara Ford Grant president of its newly formed NEP Prysm Stages business unit. The company was formed after last August’s acquisition of Lux Machina Consulting, Halon Entertainment, and Prysm Collective. The new business unit furthers NEP’s strategic vision to expand its virtual production solutions and support its growing global network of permanent stages designed for film and TV.

Ford Grant most recently served as chief technology officer at Meow Wolf, where she oversaw the mixed-reality platform and IT divisions. Prior to that she was SVP, Digital Production Services at HBO overseeing studio production and post-production operations and growth, and next-gen technologies. She has worked at entertainment companies including Digital Domain, Sony Pictures Imageworks, and DreamWorks Animation. Her credits include Game of Thrones, Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland, and the Shrek franchise.

Currently chair of the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Ford Grant is also a member of the Technology Committee of the Visual Effects Society. She recently worked as a strategy consultant to MovieLabs, a non-profit R&D joint venture providing universities, corporations, start-ups and others technical guidance and funding for innovative technologies in the distribution and use of motion pictures.

“We are excited to welcome Barbara to NEP Prysm Stages,” commented NEP Virtual Studios global president Cliff Plumer. “We’re seeing another key inflection point in the entertainment industry where creative and technology changes – like virtual production – are revolutionizing the filmmaking process. Having been on both sides of the creative and technical processes, Barbara is excellent at building solutions that empower artists and storytelling, making her a perfect fit for NEP as we embark on leading our clients and the industry into the future.”

In November 2021 NEP announced its first Prysm Stage at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the world’s largest virtual production facilities, it features a fully enclosed 80’ x 90’ x 26’ virtual production volume in an 18,000 square foot purpose-built sound stage and is operated leading industry virtual production specialists.

“I am honored to join this world-class team and have the opportunity to lead NEP Prysm Stages at such an exciting time for the company and the burgeoning virtual production industry,” shared Ford Grant. “Together with NEP’s team of technology and production experts and global reach, I see NEP Prysm Stages accelerating virtual production access and capabilities across the globe.”

Source: NEP Group

Debbie Diamond Sarto's picture

Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.