The Imaginarium Explained

The Imaginarium
Type:Production company
Area Served:Worldwide
Key People:Andy Serkis, Jonathan Cavendish
Industry:Performance capture
Services:Film production
Foundation:2011
Location City:London
Location Country:United Kingdom

The Imaginarium, also known as Imaginarium Productions, is a production company linked to a digital performance-capture studio The Imaginarium Studios, founded by actor-director Andy Serkis and film producer Jonathan Cavendish in 2011. The studio is dedicated to the invention of believable, emotionally engaging digital characters using performance capture technology. It specialises in applying motion capture technology in film, television and video games. Since 2011, it has provided performance capture for international films including Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), (2015), and Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015).[1]

History

Andy Serkis first became interested in "cyber-thespianism" when he worked with Peter Jackson at his Weta Workshop in New Zealand for The Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong (2005). Serkis stated, "People come out of film schools not equipped with the skills for doing anything other than shooting kitchen sink drama. We need to change our mindset, cross-fertilise our talent and encourage writers, directors and producers to think on a much larger scale."[2]

Serkis partnered with Jonathan Cavendish in 2009, opening The Imaginarium officially in 2011 after securing a permanent place at Ealing Studios in London.[3] In January 2012 the studio signed an agreement with Vicon, the world's largest supplier of precision motion tracking systems.[4]

In May 2017, The Imaginarium Studios was subject to a management buyout having lost £4.2 million over the preceding two years.[5] The company went into administration on 15 May 2017 facing insolvency due to project delays.[6]

The first feature film produced by The Imaginarium, Breathe, directed by Serkis (also the story of Robin Cavendish, the father of Serkis' business partner, Jonathan) and starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Tom Hollander, and Hugh Bonneville, was the opening night gala presentation of the 2017 BFI London Film Festival.[7]

Filmography

Upcoming

TV shows

Music videos

Theatre

Video games

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Imaginarium. Theimaginariumstudios.com. 5 October 2012.
  2. Web site: Andy Serkis plans UK motion-capture studio. TheGuardian.com. 5 October 2012. 23 April 2010.
  3. Web site: Andy Serkis Talks Imaginarium Project at Cannes. Pastemagazine.com. 8 October 2012. 13 May 2010.
  4. News: Andy Serkis: from Gollum to studio boss. Financial Times. 21 February 2018.
  5. Web site: Barton . Seth . Andy Serkis' Imaginarium Studios to restructure with management buy-out . MCV . 6 July 2018 . en-us . 8 May 2017.
  6. Web site: THE IMAGINARIUM STUDIOS: Filing History . Companies House . UK Government . 18 December 2018.
  7. News: 'Breathe' Trailer: Andy Serkis-Helmed Pic Starring Andrew Garfield & Claire Foy To Open London Film Festival. Tartaglione. Nancy. 29 June 2017. Deadline. 7 September 2017. en-US.
  8. Web site: 'The Ritual' Writer Adam Nevill's Horror Novel 'No One Gets Out Alive' Being Turned into a Netflix Movie. John. Squires. Bloody-disgusting.com. 8 September 2020. 12 November 2021.
  9. Web site: Lambie. Ryan. Andy Serkis interview: War For The Planet Of The Apes. Den of Geek. 21 February 2018. en. 12 July 2017.
  10. Web site: The Imaginarium's Andy Serkis & Jonathan Cavendish In Film Deal For Catriona Ward Novel 'The Last House On Needless Street'. Mike Jr.. Fleming. Deadline.com. 17 March 2021. 12 November 2021.
  11. Web site: Netflix Unveils New U.K. Projects With Sam Mendes, Rowan Atkinson, Andy Serkis. Manori. Ravindran. Variety.com. 13 December 2020. 12 November 2021.
  12. Web site: Zachary Quinto's Dr. Wolf Ordered to Series at NBC. TVLine. Matt. Mitovich. October 20, 2023.
  13. Web site: NBC Fall 2024-25 Schedule: 'Found', 'The Irrational' & 'Night Court' On The Move, Reba Returns To Friday. Andreeva. Nellie. Deadline Hollywood. May 10, 2024.
  14. News: Tech comes to The Tempest in new RSC production. 18 November 2016. Creative Review. 7 September 2017. en-US.