Cinesite Animation
{{Short description|Canadian animation studio}}
File:Cinesite_Animation_logo.jpg
Cinesite Animation is a production and service animation studio based in Montreal, Quebec and Vancouver, British Columbia. It is part of Cinesite Studios, along with its partner company Cinesite VFX.
Cinesite officially announced the launch of its dedicated feature animation division on February 8, 2016.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite to Produce Nine Animated Movies in Montreal in Five Years|url = https://variety.com/2016/film/global/cinesite-to-produce-nine-animated-movies-in-montreal-in-five-years-1201699817/|website = Variety|access-date = 2016-02-08|language = en-US|first = Leo|last = Barraclough| date=8 February 2016 }} In March 2017 the Cinesite group acquired Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios.{{Cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sausage-party-animation-house-nitrogen-studios-acquired-by-cinesite-983994|title="Sausage Party" Animation House Nitrogen Studios Acquired by Cinesite|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=7 March 2017 }} In July 2022, the studio acquired Canadian animation studio L'Atelier Animation.{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/cinesite-acquires-montreal-studio-latelier-animation/ | title=Cinesite Acquires Montreal Studio l'Atelier Animation | date=20 July 2022 }} In August 2022, it purchased a majority stake in Canadian animation studio Squeeze.{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/cinesite-takes-majority-stake-in-cracke-studio-squeeze/ | title=Cinesite Takes Majority Stake in 'Cracké' Studio Squeeze | date=2 August 2022 }}
The company is currently in development on a slate of nine animated films, scheduled to be in production by 2020, in addition to service work for 3QU Media and Sony Pictures Animation.
Feature films and shorts
The first of nine films announced as in development by Cinesite Animation are Harold Lloyd and Riverdance. The first, Harold Lloyd, in partnership with the Harold Lloyd Estate, is currently in pre-production and will be co-produced with Aniventure.{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/cinesite-studios-unveils-plans-animated-harold-lloyd-film-franchise|title=Cinesite Studios Unveils Plans for Animated Harold Lloyd Film Franchise}} An animated feature inspired by the stage show Riverdance is also in development, with Ireland's River Productions.
Cinesite Animation also has a slate deal with [http://www.3qumedia.com/ 3QU Media], to create several animated feature films. The first, Gnome Alone, directed by Peter Lepeniotis, which was released in 2018, after being delayed from 2017, with Charming starring Demi Lovato released in the same year. Cinesite also animated seasonal production The Star for Sony,{{Cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/features/first-look-at-the-stars-of-the-star-from-sony-pictures-animation/|title=First Look at the Stars of "The Star" from Sony Pictures Animation|date=27 April 2017 }} released in November 2017.
In December 2013, Cinesite released "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WoM2bHfr48 Beans]", to showcase its creature animation skills. The 30-second animation went viral, amassing over 14 million views on YouTube{{Cite web|title = Mock Commercial for Beans Is Better Than Almost Any Real Commercial for Anything|url = http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/mock-commercial-beans-better-almost-any-real-commercial-anything-154538|website = AdWeek| date=16 December 2013 |access-date = 2016-02-08}} and earning the opening slot in the 2014 SIGGRAPH Electronic Theatre. The animated short also won a gold award at the AEAF animation awards.{{cite web | title=AEAF Award Winners Announced - OLF | website=Digital Media World | url=http://www.vfxfestival.com/OLF/aeaf-award-winners-announced%20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014085022/http://www.vfxfestival.com/OLF/aeaf-award-winners-announced%20 | archive-date=14 October 2014 | url-status=dead | access-date=13 June 2022}}
Growth in Canada
In January 2014, with the support of Investissement Québec, Cinesite announced the opening of its studios in Montréal.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite Launches Montreal VFX Studio|url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cinesite-launches-montreal-vfx-studio-672466|website = The Hollywood Reporter| date=20 January 2014 |access-date = 2016-02-08}} Its initial employment target was reached 18 months early, in August 2015.{{Cite web|title = Greater Montréal having a special effect on Cinesite - Montreal International|url = http://www.montrealinternational.com/en/news/2015/08/greater-montreal-having-a-special-effect-on-cinesite/|website = Montreal International|access-date = 2016-02-08|language = en-US}} On February 8, 2016, the opening of Cinesite's Animation division was announced in Montréal, Canada.{{Cite web|title = Cinesite Opens Major Animation Studio in Montréal, Canada - A future world-class animation hub creating... -- MONTRÉAL, Feb. 8, 2016|url = http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/cinesite-opens-major-animation-studio-in-montreal-canada---a-future-world-class-animation-hub-creating-500-jobs-by-2020-568037871.html|website = www.newswire.ca|access-date = 2016-02-08}} The company subsequently announced its acquisition of Vancouver-based animation studio Nitrogen Studios in March 2017.
On February 8, 2016, Cinesite Animation announced the launch of Animate Montreal (Animez Montréal). The initiative, founded by Cinesite partnered with a group of associated companies, aims to help with upskilling, training and filling experience gaps, supporting the growth of the emerging Montréal animated film industry.
Filmography
References
{{reflist}}
{{Animation industry in Canada}}
Category:Canadian animation studios