A leading producer of group interactive, immersive media experiences is partnering with one of Prince Edward Island's leading information technology consulting firms to establish a new digital production studio in Atlantic Technology Centre (ATC) in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.
Under the brand Castaways Inc., Immersion Studios of Toronto and Business Technology Consulting of Charlottetown will soon be hiring a team of digital animators, compositors, editors, designers and producers to deliver digital content for Immersion's series of large screen theatre venues located around the world. As part of today's announcement, it was revealed that one of these venues will now include a new Immersion interactive theatre to be located in the lower level of ATC.
The Honourable Michael F. Currie, Minister of Development and Technology; Shawn Murphy, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough; Stacey Spiegel, CEO and President, Immersion Studios; and Allan MacDonald, President, Business Technology Consulting, today toured ATC and the future home of Castaways Inc. and the Immersion theatre.
"The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, is pleased to support this unique and state-of-the art company," said Shawn Murphy, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ACOA. "Using innovation and technology, Castaways Inc. is an exciting partnership with tremendous potential for export and growth."
Immersion Studios was co-founded in March 1997 by Stacey Spiegel and Dr. Rodney Hoinkes. This year, the Canadian New Media Awards named Spiegel the 2002 Visionary of the Year.
Immersion Studios has produced content for clients around the world including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, the world's most visited museum.
"The Immersion interactive theatre is a multi-purpose facility that will establish the ATC as a world-class location for interactive media research and development and digital content production," said Minister Currie. "In addition to the installation of this key element of infrastructure, the partnership between Immersion Studios and BTC will ensure that Islanders play an important role in developing new interactive media productions to be seen around the world."
"The Atlantic Technology Centre's bold initiative will help Canada secure its position as a world leader in the production and distribution of New Media content," said Spiegel. "Immersion Studios is delighted to be part of the strong team that has assembled here in Prince Edward Island, and we look forward to a successful future together."
Business Technology Consulting President Allan MacDonald says Castaways Inc. will be producing interactive digital productions from its location in the ATC for Immersions theatres worldwide. "Castaways will be providing research and development support to Immersion's world-class innovation team. Through this process, PEI's emerging knowledge economy will become recognized in Atlantic Canada and beyond as a model to emulate. This collaboration and partnership makes sense for both Immersion Studios and Business Technology Consulting."
Immersion Studios joins a growing list of companies that have indicated their intent to locate in ATC, including: EDS Canada, DeltaWare Systems, Business Technology Consulting, Trapeze Media of Toronto, Cellar Door Productions, Polar Bear Corporate Training Solutions, Holland College, and Paramita Academy of Make Up. Seahorse Entertainment is in the process of shooting the first TV show in the ATC, "The Adventures of the AfterMath Crew."
ATC is Atlantic Canada's newest economic landmark and features key infrastructure including state-of-the-art office space, specialized research labs, a business incubator and smart boardrooms, as well as a world-class media production environment for television and new media projects with a sound stage, interactive theatre, digital audio and picture editing suites, green screen and webcasting capability.
ATC is designed to stimulate new partnerships among firms seeking a competitive business environment to locate innovative applied research, new product and solution development, testing and pre-commercialization. For more information visit www.atlantictechnologycentre.ca