Sky Sets Up 3D Production Company

LONDON: Sky has teamed up with U.K. indie Atlantic Productions to create Colossus Productions, a new 3D production outfit, in addition to scoring output deals with Disney, Discovery Networks and MTV for 3D content.

The brand-new Colossus Productions will develop original 3D programming for U.K. and international audiences. The programming will air on Sky 3D, before being distributed to other platforms and territories. Anthony Geffen, the CEO and creative director at Atlantic, will serve as creative director for Colossus.

Sky and Atlantic have worked together before on 3D content, including a series currently being filmed at Kew Gardens to be presented by Sir David Attenborough, and the theatrical-release feature documentary The Bachelor King 3D, also with Attenborough.

Sky has also signed an exclusive 3D output deal with MTV, which will cover episodes from the channel’s World Stage 3D series. The Discovery deal includes 3D content from a number of channels in the company’s portfolio, with titles such as 3D Safari and Beautiful Freaks. Sky also secured Disney 3D movie titles such as Toy Story 3, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, Tron: Legacy and Pirates of the Caribbean 4.

John Cassy, the director of Sky 3D, commented: “The BAFTA award-winning Flying Monsters 3D showed just how stunning and genuinely immersive great 3D TV can be. Working alongside Anthony and his talented team will help us continue to deliver the highest quality home-grown 3D content to our growing number of 3D subscribers. We also want to help the U.K. become a global leader in 3D TV and this deal demonstrates the depth of our commitment. We look forward to extending our selection of content even further by showcasing the best of Discovery and MTV in 3D.”
 
Geffen, Atlantic Productions’ CEO, added: “We’re delighted to have formed this new venture with Sky, who’ve once again demonstrated their belief in the power of 3D storytelling. With the support of forward-looking broadcasters like Sky, we believe there’s a real opportunity for the U.K. production sector to take a world-leading position in 3D. The formation of Colossus Productions will engender the creation of exciting 3D content to entertain audiences worldwide, and the pedigree of the company will attract top talent from across the industry to work on these projects. This venture with Sky extends Atlantic Productions’ historical ethos of creating award-winning television and theatrical titles which embrace new production techniques and technologies, and the company’s work will complement our continuing dedication to high-quality 2D programming at Atlantic Productions.”