ILM
Disney-owned Lucasfilm/Industrial Light & Magic will close its VFX and animation facility in Singapore, which employs more than 300 people. The company points to changes in the global entertainment industry as a factor behind the decision.
Disney said in a statement emailed to: diverse.
The Singapore studio was founded in 2004 as Lucasfilm Animation Singapore and began operations in 2006 working on the animated television series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’.
It relocated within the city-state in 2013, setting up shop in the futuristic Eclipse Building owned by George Lucas in Fusionopolis. It was dubbed the “Sandcrawler Building”, due to its resemblance to the famous “Star Wars” vehicle. The Eclipse Building was sold by Lucas in January 2021 to the Blackstone Group.
“Lucasfilm’s decision to end operations in Singapore comes in response to changes in industry and business conditions. The global media industry is facing disruption due to rapid technological developments, while studios deal with challenges related to talent and profitability.
The ongoing restructuring of the entertainment industry, which is reducing linear TV and physical media operations under pressure from streaming and which has caused major corporate mergers and downsizing, is clearly a factor in ILM Singapore’s decline. So is the effect of double strikes in Hollywood by screenwriters and actors.
The closure would be a blow to Singapore’s ambitions to become an Asian or global hub for the entertainment industry. While Singapore has attracted a slew of regional head office jobs for major US media groups including Disney, initiatives to create a major production and film financing mogul have fizzled out. In many ways, it has been overshadowed by the growth of industries elsewhere in Asia, particularly in India, China and South Korea.
However, the Singaporean government seems hopeful that the gradual impact of ILM’s nearly two decades of presence will continue.
“Throughout Lucasfilm’s tenure in Singapore, the company has developed world-class digital animation talent for the industry by imparting knowledge and skills. Our Singaporean talent has worked alongside and learned from experienced producers, enabling them to develop their skills and play on a global stage.”
“We are proud that Singaporeans have worked on Hollywood blockbusters such as ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ and Marvel’s ‘The Eternals’. Many of them have moved on to positions in media companies such as Netflix or started their own companies. In addition, Lucasfilm leaders have actively contributed In training generations of students in digital and technical skills in applied arts and higher education institutes.”
“We would like to thank the Singapore government, industry and society for their partnership over the past 17 years. We have trained and recruited a generation of production talent, visual effects artists and animators. We are very proud of the great work the team has done in Singapore and look forward to providing new opportunities for Singaporean talent. To continue the innovative work they are doing.
ILM said it is giving employees as much notice as possible and offering opportunities to transfer to one of the company’s other studios. Since opening in Singapore, ILM has expanded with other studios in Vancouver (opened 2012), London (2014), Sydney (2019), and Mumbai (2022). These are in addition to the company’s headquarters in San Francisco.
ILM also says it will work with the local business community in Singapore to offer a job fair with companies that need talent with similar skills.
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