In a move that bucks the gloomy trend prevalent in the US-based effects industry, CEO Bryan Godwin has announced (25) that Shade will open a facility in New York.

Godwin, the founder, owner and visual effects supervisor at the Santa Monica-based company, cited the favourable economic climate and a greater client base in New York as reasons for the expansion.

The new studio is located in Manhattan and Godwin plans to build up a “medium-sized staff” over the coming months. The facility is currently in production on a DJ Caruso project, with whom Shade previously collaborated on I Am Number Four.

Shade executive producer David Van Dyke, who has been with the company since its inception five years ago, has been promoted to vice-president. Van Dyke will continue to report directly to Godwin (pictured).

“We’ve been researching expanding to an incentivised area and New York was a no-brainer for us,” said Godwin. “Having grown up in New York as well as having been an executive in two post-production firms there, I have great ties to the artist community in NYC, and of course great artists are what make a great VFX firm.

“And the particular rules for the New York incentive are very favourable for visual effects and not tied to physical production like most other states.

“Additionally, David has been with us from the beginning and his talent and knowledge are invaluable as Shade moves into a new territory.”

Shade is in production on The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Recent credits include Chef and Million Dollar Arm.

Topics