DDMG collaboration to complement Cartoon Network’s offering at twofour54

Digital Domain Media Group’s (DDMG) plans to launch a VFX studio and a corresponding training academy in Abu Dhabi’s twofour54 does not clash with the content generation zone’s existing arrangement with Cartoon Network  Animation Academy, which operates an animation institute in the emirate. Speaking to BroadcastPro Middle East, Wayne Borg, chief operating officer of twofour54 clarified that  Cartoon Network Animation Academy is purely focused on animation while DDMG will offer courses in digital VFX.

“In fact, their offerings complement each other as we look for partners to provide expertise in different parts of content chain. twofour54 is looking to create a centre of excellence in content creation with such partnerships and we believe that this collaboration will hugely benefit the UAE,” Borg said.

Cartoon Network Animation Academy, which is operated by twofour54 in partnership with Cartoon Network and Bournemouth University in the UK, specifically addresses the needs of aspiring animation artists who want to pursue a career in animation and caters to approximately 12 to 16 candidates in each course that runs for a year. This is also Cartoon Network’s first academy worldwide.

By comparison, DDMG, which is well known for having contributed to the visuals of several Hollywood productions including Titanic and Transformers, and runs an academy in Florida is looking to build a similar facility in Abu Dhabi and attract around 200 students to its classes.

DDMG is looking to run both short-term courses as well as more intense three to four-year degree programmes in various elements of filmmaking including digital media production for entertainment, simulation and related applications. Students who complete the courses at either of these academies will be given the opportunity to work at DDMG if they qualify.

Classes at the Digital Domain Institute/Abu Dhabi are scheduled to begin early in 2014 while Cartoon Network Academy will welcome its third batch of students to its course in Q4 2012.

The new deal will see DDMG move to Abu Dhabi as early as next year and operate out of twofour54’s existing facility until its own 14,000 sqm entertainment production complex becomes ready for occupation in 2015. DDMG will set up operations here and look to create regional movies for an international audience while also working with international productions. The studio will become part of Digital Domain’s global feature film VFX and animation pipeline, connected to its studios in Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, London, Florida and Mumbai.