Taiwan’s Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd. and Rhythm and Hues Studios signed a memorandum of understanding Nov. 21 on establishing a cloud animation visual effects center in Taipei City.
The facility, which will be set up at Chunghwa Telecom’s computer center, is expected to create 300 jobs and produce 1,000 special effects professionals by 2016.
“The partnership is a further sign of this leading U.S. animation and visual effects firm’s commitment to Taiwan,” Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Lu Shyue-ching said at the signing ceremony. “We expect the venture to create tremendous business opportunities for local firms and pave the way for expansion into the global entertainment industry.”
The memorandum follows Rhythm’s investment in a Kaohsiung City-based special effects studio, and founding of East Grand Films, a venture fund channeling Taiwan investment into Hollywood productions.
“Our partner’s grass-roots approach will spur growth in a wide variety of local industries, including advertising, animation, gaming and movies,” Lu said.
Citing local research organizations, Lu said global visual effects sector output last year was estimated at between US$46 billion and US$81 billion, a number no longer raising eyebrows given this production cost accounts for over half a major U.S. film’s budget.
Lu also thanked Academy Award winner Ang Lee for laying the foundations of Rhythm’s involvement in Taiwan, adding that the tie-up could not have taken place without the director’s vision.
Lee’s latest film “Life of Pi” was mostly filmed and produced in Taiwan with cloud computing technology supplied by Chunghwa Telecom and animation work by Rhythm’s local facilities. (JSM)
Write to Meg Chang at sfchang@mofa.gov.tw