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Melbourne VFX artists bring cheeky new hit film Ted to life

Press release from Film Victoria

The new US hit film TED, starring Mark Whalberg and his CG animated co-star voiced by Seth MacFarlane (creator of the FAMILY GUY), opens in Australian cinemas on Thursday with the help of some talented Melbourne visual effects (vfx) artists.

The animated star of the film – a cheeky child-sized teddy bear – TED comes to life thanks to 60 Melbourne vfx artists who created over 500 character animation shots for the bear.

Film Victoria CEO, Jenni Tosi congratulated Melbourne visual effects company, Iloura, on successfully creating and animating the film’s furry anti-hero. Ms Tosi said the contract to create the vfx for Media Rights Capital, who produced TED, was secured by Iloura with the support of Film Victoria’s Production Investment Attraction Fund (PIAF).

“Winning the contract to create and animate TED against strong international competition is evidence of the outstanding reputation Victorian post and vfx artists have built over last 10 years,” Ms Tosi said.

“The success of TED will further consolidate Victoria as an international film city with superb post and vfx facilities, and talented technicians that work with the best in the world. Iloura should be congratulated for their impressive work on TED.”

TED follows GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGENCE, AFTER EARTH, FRONTIER, and EMPEROR as the latest international film attracted to Victoria by Victorian post production companies with the support of Film Victoria’s Production Investment Attraction Fund.

TED had a strong opening weekend in the US setting a new box office record for an animated comedy with an impressive $US52.5 million. The film’s sneak-preview weekend screenings across Australia also earned $4.83 million.

The film is written and directed by Seth McFarlane, produced by Jason Clark, John Jacobs, Scott Stuber, MacFarlane and Wellesley Wild and co-written by Alec Sulkin and Wild. Local company Iloura shared the creation of TED with California-based Tippett Studio. The live action/CG-animated adult comedy is about a thirty-something bachelor trying to outgrow his childhood toy and negotiate some personal space for romance.

TED opens in Australian cinemas this Thursday 5 July