Imagi Animation Studios
 | |
| Company type | Public SEHK |
|---|---|
| Industry | CGI animation |
| Founded | January 1, 2000 |
| Founder |
|
| Defunct | February 5, 2010 |
| Fate | Closed & Shut Down |
| Headquarters | Chai Wan, Hong Kong |
Key people |
|
| Owner | Imagi International Holdings Limited |
Number of employees | 400 in Hong Kong[1] |
| Parent | Boto |
| Website | http://www.imagi.com.hk/ |
Imagi Animation Studios (a.k.a. Imagi Studios) was an animation studio established in 2000 by Imagi International Holdings Limited (SEHK: 585).
Background
Imagi Animation Studios was set up in 2000, and production starts on its first project, the CG-animated television series, Zentrix. The company had a studio in Chai Wan, Hong Kong, as well as a creative development and production facility in Los Angeles, California and a satellite office in Tokyo.
The company's first major CG-animated theatrical movie, TMNT was released 23 March 2007 by Warner Bros. in the U.S. and Canada, opening No. 1 at the box office, and was being distributed internationally by The Weinstein Company. Imagi's focus was to create high-quality CG-animated feature films with superhero themes to entertain global audiences, combining Hollywood storytelling with computer animation done in Hong Kong.
Setbacks
In January 2009 Imagi's auditing firm announced that the studio lacked funding to complete the release of films Cat Tale (which was to have been released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer[2]) and Gatchaman, and art director Felix Ip reported that Gatchaman's release was not expected until later in 2009.[3] In June 2009 Imagi opened Gatchaman to licensing partners and announced a 3-D theatrical release for 2011.[4]
In January 2010, Imagi's Hong Kong based parent company Imagi International Holdings Limited announced that the Gatchaman project will be "delivered in 100% Stereoscopic 3D", and that in order to safeguard working capital it closed its United States subsidiaries. This closure was finalized in late January with the layoff of approximately 30 staffers, and the retaining of a few key personnel who will continue to work as consultants as Imagi seeks $30 million from investors to continue its animation projects.[5][6][7]
On 5 February 2010, Imagi Animation Studios was closed & shut down.[8][9][10]
Works
Feature films
- Digital Monster X-Evolution (2005, Japan only)
- TMNT (2007, with Warner Bros. and The Weinstein Company)
- Highlander: The Search for Vengeance (2008, with Madhouse and Manga Entertainment)
- Astro Boy (2009, with Summit Entertainment)
- Gatchaman (was to be released 2011, with Warner Bros., cancelled)
Short films
- The RRF in New Recruit (2010)
- Astro Boy vs. The Junkyard Pirates (2010)
TV series
- Zentrix (2002)
- Father of the Pride (with DreamWorks Animation, 2004)
Other
- A denied The Legend of Zelda film pitch[11]
- Tetsujin-28 animated film (cancelled) [12]
References
- ^ Ho, Pui Yan (16 March 2009). 意馬新動畫《阿童木》決定400港產創意壯士前路. MoneyMonday (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Ming Pao. p. B3.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ Cat Tale at Animation Magazine
- ^ It closed its doors as Imagi to assume another company name as to avoid any unclaimed debts to investors and staff.
"Astro Boy maintenu, Gatchaman sur la corde raide" (in French). Otakia. 9 January 2009. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Tribbey, Chris (3 June 2009). "Imagi Seeks Licensing Deals for 'Gatchaman'". Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ^ "Imagi Animation Studio Closes Los Angeles Office". Anime News Network. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 29 January 2010.
- ^ McLean, Thomas J. (29 January 2010). "Imagi Closes L.A. Studio". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ^ Gediminas, J. (26 January 2010). "Imagi International Holdings Ltd (OTCBB: IINHY) Still In Talks To Raise Capital". HotStocked.com. Retrieved 30 January 2010.
- ^ "意馬數百員工面臨遣散" (in Chinese). Sina.com. 6 February 2010. Archived from the original on 11 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "Imagi Animation liquidator cut of more than 300 people" (in Chinese). Oriental Daily. 6 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
- ^ "HK studio behind 'TMNT,' 'Astro Boy' shuts down (AP)". Yahoo. Associated Press. 9 February 2010. Archived from the original on 14 February 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (4 August 2013). "Footage From the Unproduced Legend of Zelda CG-Animated Movie". IGN. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ "Imagi Launches Testujin 28 site with CG Test Trailer". Anime News Network. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.