BROADCAST & VIDEO - NEWS & TECHNOLOGY
 

BBC  Worldwide  to  open  production  base  in  India

   BBC Worldwide is all set to open its third internat-ional production base in India, the other two being

production Wayne Garvie, said “India is one of the fastest growing media mar-kets  in  the  world.  If  you

BBC Worldwide Produ-ctions India, general manager and creative head, Saul Nasse, belie-

located in the USA and Australia. The setup, which has been christened BBC Worldwide Producti-ons India, will complement BBC Worldwide’s Los An-geles production studio and its production compa-ny in Australia.
   The reason for setting up shop in India is reflective of the growing attention that global media compa-nies are showering on India. BBC Worldwide ma-naging director content &

have serious ambitions of being a global player, you can’t ignore India.” He ad-ded that the success of Bo-llywood, not only in India but also over-seas, was another trigger point for BBC to look at India more seriously.
   Saul Nasse, who has been appointed as the head of production operations in the India office, will be res-ponsible for bringing the production expertise of the BBC to the Indian market.

ves that the Indian pro-duction base is the need of the hour. “There are two indisputable facts — local productions are by far the most popular programming in India and BBC Worldw-ide has one of the world’s richest catalogues of televi-sion content and formats.” Indian office will look at adapting BBC shows in their catalogue to Indian sensibilities as well as taki-ng Indian content across to other markets. BBC Worl-

dwide has enjoyed a strong distribution business in India for many years as well as close relationships with all the  networks. While India will be its third production base in the world, BBC’s second prod-uction base will be a 100% subsidiary after LA. BBC has not ruled out a possible equity partnership in India and may look at joining hands with an Indian partner after they set up shop.

Prime focus acquires UTV’s post-production business for $3m

   Mumbai-based digital pos-tproduction and VFX speci-alist Prime Focus has recen-tly acquired UTV Software Communications’ post-pro-duction business. Under the deal, Prime Focus will get all the equipment and busi-ness contracts from UTV. Apart from this, UTV will also assign or transfer all the rights, title, ownership, and usage of the brand, and ma-rk related intellectual prope-rty rights in respect of the brand USL to Prime Focus.
   Namit Malhotra, MD, Pri-me Focus said the company has been pursuing this deal for a while now. “When UTV decided to hive off its post-production facility we saw an opportunity of con-verting a competitor into an ally,” said Malhotra.
   Acquisition of UTV’s po-stproduction will in most probabilities be funded through funds to be raised through various funding op-tions  include   ADR/GDR. Amit   Gupta,   Director   of corporate development at

 Prime Focus said, “Prime Focus’ core business is to provide     post-production services  and   our  acquisi-

tion of UTV’s post, pro-duction business will help us to leverage our reach in the    industry.”  “Soon  we
 

Harry Potter projects by FrameWorks

This short animated film was created for an in-house competition and it won the first prize. It focuses on a boy who in his dreams transforms into HARRY POTTER and makes all his dreams come true with his magic wand. Later When he wakes up he realizes that in real life the only magic that can be done is through uphill struggle. The Project was supervised by Mr. Murtuza Zakir (VFX Director, FRAMEWORKS). The film took 2 months in making and around 7 artists put their efforts in it.


 will make our presence in the US either from the grass root level or by acquiring a studio”
   UTV assets to be acquired comprise two leased facilit-ies- one each in Worli and Andheri- with employee str-ength of close to 30.
   Amit Banka, head of bus-iness development and stra-tegy at UTV shared, “The deal is worth between 3 to 4 million US dollars and we intend to work closely with Prime Focus as they are amongst the leaders in the post production business.”
   Prime Focus has already commissioned its Chennai facility this year and is understood to be in the final stages of acquiring one in Hyderabad.
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2007

 STUDIO SYSTEMS

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