Netflix buys visible results firm Scanline
IMAGE SOURCE – HBO
Netflix has acquired Scanline, the visual effects company that has worked on films and TV series such as Game of Thrones, Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Stranger Things.
This is the US streaming service’s first deal to take control of a major player in the sought-after special effects industry.
Scanline VFX, which operates seven offices worldwide from its headquarters in Canada and employs more than 1,100 people, will become a “full, semi-autonomous” Netflix subsidiary.
The move comes weeks after Weta Digital, which developed characters and scenes for productions from Lord of the Rings to Avatar, sold its special visual effects technology arm to US video game company Unity for $ 1.63 billion ) has sold.
The Netflix deal will allow the streaming company to bring Scanline’s attention to its ever-growing TV and movie production list. Scanline has previously worked on original productions including Ryan Reynolds’ big-budget 6 Underground and upcoming titles such as the star-studded disaster comedy Don’t Look Up.
Amy Reinhard, Vice President of Studio Operations at Netflix, said, “From the interstellar landscape of Cowboy Bebop and the voracious vampires of Blood Red Sky to the exploding underground reactor in Stranger Things 3, we want to surprise and delight our members by pushing the boundaries of the world visual effects. “
Netflix, which made $ 17 billion this year
“In addition to working with Netflix, Scanline has pioneered everything from Game of Thrones to Godzilla vs. King Kong to Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” said Reinhard. “The company will continue to operate as an independent company in the future and work together with its various customers. Netflix will invest in Scanline’s pipeline, infrastructure and staff. “
Netflix said that although it now has its own visual effects business, it “will continue to rely on many other studios around the world for our VFX needs”.
Last week, Netflix announced it would double the size of its base at Shepperton Studios, where it has made productions like the TV series Enola Holmes and films like The Old Guard.
Last year, Netflix spent $ 1 billion producing around 60 TV shows and films in the UK, its largest production base outside the US. Programs include The Crown and Sex Education.
