Animation & Visual Effects Studios

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Animation & Visual Effects Studios

Animation & Visual Effects Studios

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The animation and visual effects industries have grown at a tremendous pace over the last several years. Each major new production tries to create effects that no one has used before. Dentons represents many of the best known animation studios, which we advise in connection with product creation using talent located in multiple jurisdictions.

Dentons has also helped clients pursue unique animation projects, where our role included negotiating rights with sports organizations in the United States and Europe, as well as agreements with international celebrities. Call upon us to guide you concerning the production, co-production, distribution and merchandising of your animation productions.

The growth of the visual effects business has been particularly swift. Proper structuring allows the production company and visual effects studio to maximize the tax credits that are available in an increasing number of jurisdictions. We have advised production companies and many of the best known visual effects studios on visual effects agreements used for some of the most expensive films ever produced.

Animation and visual effects work can be done anywhere in the world where there is a deep pool of talent. Many of the leading studios are establishing themselves in Europe, China, India and Canada, as well as in California. At the set-up stage of a studio's new location, Dentons can provide you with advice on tax planning (including tax credits), immigration laws, labor relations and contracts, leasing and construction, settling key production agreements, incorporation and organization of the company operating the studio, and all necessary regulatory notifications as well.

Experience

SAP AG: Advising on its acquisition of Right Hemisphere, a 3-D virtualization software company, which will enable comprehensive visual communications for SAP customers across all lines of business, from design and manufacturing to sales and service.
Several US-based animation and visual effects companies: Advising on the establishment of their Vancouver studios, including filing notifications and obtaining the necessary approvals under the Investment Canada Act, arranging for work permits and immigration clearances for key foreign workers, preparing forms of employment agreements, non-disclosure agreements and labour policy manuals, construction and leading advice, and providing cross-border tax planning.
Soyuzmultfilm: Advising Soyuzmultfilm, a pioneer in Russian animation, on the acquisition of a stake in Mult Efir. The Mult Efir Group includes Kinomania.TV, which manages the Multilandia children’s television channel, one of Russia’s top five children’s TV channels by audience coverage.

Insights

Producing in Canada

November 21, 2023

Canada is recognized as a major player in film, television and interactive digital media production. The growth of Canada’s multibillion-dollar production industry is attributable to our high-standard facilities, competent workforce, physical and cultural proximity to the United States, as well as many favourable economic factors. These include lower location and production costs than in the US and Europe, a good exchange rate, and advantageous government tax incentives and funding policies.

Dentons launches "Producing in Poland", a guide to film, television and interactive digital media incentive programs

February 27, 2023

Poland: Poland has a great cinematographic tradition. It is well known for its film school in Łódź, one of the oldest of its type. Over the years, Polish filmmakers have repeatedly set extraordinarily high standards in this branch of art. Today, the Polish film industry seems to be in full swing.