Digital innovation centre to begin fit-out - 4 February 2009
Bunbury may be thousands of kilometres away from the bright lights of Hollywood, but it will soon play a role in bringing blockbuster movies to the big screen.
The proponents of the Australian Centre for Digital Innovation (ACDI) are moving forward with plans to establish a digital animation industry in Bunbury.
The Vue Group and ISA Technologies are currently fine-tuning the design and layout of their laboratory at the new City of Bunbury library. They plan to begin the fit-out of their office space later this month, with the view to opening in May.
Once operational, the ACDI will be capable of creating computer generated effects for films and television shows including documentaries.
South West Development Commission chief executive Don Punch said the Commission, in partnership with the City of Bunbury and Edith Cowan University, had worked to attract the digital animation venture to Bunbury.
He said the centre will help the South West region become a global leader in the internationally competitive digital content industry.
“The project involves the establishment of a digital special effects and animation studio, a super computer and associated technologies to allow for the production of digital animation for the film industry as well as a big range of industrial-related applications,” Mr Punch said.
ISA Technologies managing director Sil La Puma complimented both the South West Development Commission and the City of Bunbury for having the vision to support ACDI in establishing its operations in Bunbury.
“Local academic institutions and industry will soon be able to gain direct access to world class technologies, experts and projects leading to vastly improved career opportunities,” he said.
Vue Group managing director Alan Lindsay thanked the South West Development Commission, which provided $200,000 in funding to the City of Bunbury towards providing the infrastructure that has led to attracting ACDI to Bunbury.
“Our vision is a digital content studio where we can engage in local, Australian and global projects seamlessly by teaming imagination and technology to form a creative and technical hothouse with a culture of innovation,” he said.
“The South West Development Commission allowed us to realise our vision in a region that offers synergies with education, business and community.”
>>> Vue Group managing director Alan Lindsay will speak about the Australian Centre for Digital Innovation at the region’s premier economic forum, the South West Focus Conference. The event will be held on April 2 2009 at the All Seasons Sanctuary Golf Resort in Bunbury.
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