The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has partnered with George Lucas-founded VFX company Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to launch a Graduate Diploma in Visual effects.
Now known as Framestore Melbourne, the studio joins a global network that spans London, Montreal, Mumbai, Vancouver, LA, Chicago and New York.
The past three projects special effects supervisor Dan Oliver has worked on have included two Marvel titles, two collaborations with Chris Hemsworth, and earned him his second Oscar nomination.
This year's Academy Award nominations are a showcase of Australian and New Zealand talent, with Jane Campion's 'The Power of the Dog' leading the race with 12 nominations, and further nods for Nicole Kidman, 'Dune' cinematographer Greig Fraser and the 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' VFX team.
Cumulus VFX will relocate to a purpose-built facility in Ballina and hire another 50 staff, thanks to a $1 million grant provided via the NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund.
Visual effects outsourcing platform Hotspring is expanding into the Asia-Pacific region, with aims to give VFX companies and studios a new way to connect with each other and establish contracts.
The Federal Government's impending media reforms have come under fresh scrutiny from the post-production sector, which is calling for a reassessment of the proposed changes to the Post, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Offset.
Australia might just be in for an Academy Award win come Monday, with 'Love and Monsters' tipped as a dark horse in this year's race for the Visual Effects Oscar.