Dreamworks Buys Out F/X Unit
PDI To Rival Sony, Disney By Marc Graser, Daily Variety
DreamWorks has jumped into the visual effects (f/x) business, acquiring the remaining portion of f/x studio Pacific Data Images (PDI) (""Antz"") that it did not previously own and renaming it PDI/DreamWorks as of Monday, February 7, 2000. Only two other major studios own their own f/x houses. Sony has Sony Pictures Imageworks; Disney folded its stake in Dream Quest Images with its digital animation division to form the Secret Lab late last year. DreamWorks made the move after PDI Founder and Chairman Carl Rosendahl said he was exiting the San Francisco, California-based operation after 20 years as its leader to ""pursue other interests."" Only Rosendahlís stake in the privately held company had kept DreamWorks from wholly owning the 350-person company. Financial terms were not disclosed. DreamWorks acquired 40% of the facility in 1996, inking an exclusive co-production agreement for PDI to create a series of computer-animated pictures together with the studio at that time. ""Antz"" was the first; ""Shrek"" and ""Tusker"" will be the next to bow in theatres. DreamWorks already had a close relationship with PDI through its animated pics and in the live action business as well. PDI created visuals for DreamWorksí ""The Peacemaker"" and ""Forces of Nature."" Pacific Data Images is currently at work on DreamWorksí animated pictures ""Shrek"" and ""Tusker,"" and is completing visual f/x shots for Paramountís ""Mission: Impossible 2"" and Robert Redfordís ""The Legend of Bagger Vance."" Separately, PDI has promoted Denise Minter to Vice President of Production at the facility. In her new post, the former ""Antz"" Production Manager and Commercial Executive Producer will oversee PDIís production efforts in the feature animation and commercial and feature f/x divisions. Most recently, Minter served as Senior Producer for PDIís commercial division, where she oversaw a series of spots for the launch of Segaís Dreamcast video game console. Before that, Minter worked as a production manager on ""Antz"" and as Executive Producer of PDIís commercial division. She joined PDI as a producer in 1993.