NSW Premier Morris Iemma has put taxpayers’ money where his mouth is by providing
Sydney
based effects company Animal Logic with an incentive package that will help boost the company’s staff to 600 people.
This announcement comes one month after the NSW Government announced it would cut excessive fees and slash red tape affecting filmmaking to encourage more production in the state.
At an announcement at Fox Studios, Iemma said the assistance package would be used to by Animal Logic to help create 300 new jobs, ensure that a series of feature length animation projects would be animated in
Sydney
, and help establish a training program to grow industry skills.
Iemma also used the announcement to confirm that Animal Logic would partner with Warner Brothers and Village Roadshow to produce animated feature Guardians of Ga’Hoole, which will be directed by Watchmen director Zack Snyder.
Animal Logic previously worked with Snyder on his film 300.
“The Government has been working hard with Animal Logic to ensure that Guardians of Ga’Hoole and a range of future productions are based here, and that our economy and industry reap the benefits,” Iemma said.
“I am particularly pleased this package will ensure training for our next generation of animators and digital effects specialists.”
A spokesperson for Animal Logic said the animation company had originated the Guardians project, optioning the original children’s books by Kathryn Lasky, rather than won the contract to animate it – as had been reported.
The total value of the Government’s incentive package was not announced.