(20 July 2016 – Hong Kong) – Digital Domain Holdings Limited, the parent company of the award-winning visual effects company Digital Domain, today held its first Global and Greater China Strategy Conference entitled “Seeing the Next Big Bang” at the Beijing National Aquatics Center.
The event’s opening address unveiled the blueprint for the Company’s global and Greater China strategy. The management team’s announcements were followed by a variety of interactive and virtual reality (VR) experiences hosted at the venue, also known as the “Water Cube.” Hundreds of press and VIPs attended the event which showcased years of Digital Domain’s ground-breaking work and built a bridge to the future with more than a dozen new virtual reality experiences viewed on the Gear VR and Vive platforms. The attendees were immersed in an evening celebrating technology, entertainment and the future of content.
The welcome by Digital Domain Chairman, Mr. Peter Chou, featured the event’s first big announcement, the Company’s new and innovative Zeus super high definition 360° VR camera. Always a driving force in the fast-growing VR market, Digital Domain’s new flagship technology is just the start of a number of new products from the leader in visual effects, immersive experiences and interactive content. Zeus is a premium camera boasting the ability to record footage at a greater than 8k resolution at 10 bit, shooting 75 frames per second. The camera is also capable of seamless 360° livestreaming at levels up to 4k resolution. The Zeus will be deployed immediately at a number of high profile global events.
“With Zeus, we’re confident that Digital Domain has the best camera on the market for shooting VR and livestreaming 360° footage,” said Mr. Chou. “Technological innovation is part of the exciting future that ‘Seeing the Next Big Bang’ symbolizes; the brand-new image and the greater vision for Digital Domain in its pursuit to be an industry leader in the business of virtual reality. VR is a transformative medium offering new experiences that allow individuals – regardless of time or location – to experience highly realistic immersive environments. Today’s entertainment innovations increasingly revolve around VR. It would not be an exaggeration to say that VR is precipitating a technological Big Bang. In the Big Bang era of Digital Domain, each new innovation we develop will lead to new experiences that will wow viewers around the world.”
Digital Domain also made the major announcement that it has aligned with DreamWorks Animation to produce virtual reality content and experiences for the global family entertainment company’s most iconic and legendary characters, beginning with the worlds of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda and expanding to other franchises in the coming months.
Digital Domain CEO Mr. Daniel Seah then remarked on the future strategy of Digital Domain; “Since we were first founded 23 years ago, our artists and innovators have followed the philosophy of bringing a revolutionary change to visual effects, thereby creating our legacy of being the best visual effects company in Hollywood. Talented artists, a passionate team and cutting-edge technology have afforded us all the key advantages and knowledge needed for a head start in the VR marketplace. We are proud to have garnered the confidence of a renowned company like DreamWorks Animation, which has entrusted Digital Domain to develop VR experiences for their beloved characters.”
“For over two decades, DreamWorks Animation has been entertaining audiences with some of the most original stories and beloved characters in entertainment,” said Rich Flier, Managing Director, Business Development, Digital Domain Holdings Limited. “We are honored to be a part of bringing that great legacy to virtual reality audiences worldwide.”
Continuing the excitement, Mr. Victor Koo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Youku Tudou Inc., and Mr. Zhang Feng, General Manager of Shanghai Film Co., Ltd. made an appearance on stage to help announce a three-year collaboration agreement between Digital Domain and Youku for the Greater China market. In this joint venture, Digital Domain will create virtual reality content that will be featured within the Greater China market though all of YouKu’s owned and operated platforms. Tapping into YouKu’s enormous online and mobile broadcast channels, and bringing Hollywood-level VR technology to audiences in China, this partnership marks a groundbreaking VR industry first. The two companies will also jointly develop an intellectual property rights business as well as jointly developing 360° live streaming and pre-recorded video, virtual reality, augmented reality and immersive media experiences based on Youku’s events and content.
Mr. Victor Koo said, “Virtual reality brings a revolutionary change to the video industry. We are thrilled about a long term partnership with Digital Domain to jointly develop VR technologies as well as an IP content business. Content has always been the focus of Youku VR and we are dedicated to developing the most comprehensive VR platform via various channels including self-production, joint-production and licensing cooperation.”
Mr. Zhang Feng added, “VR movies are still nascent in the booming Chinese film industry. Shanghai Film and Digital Domain have enjoyed many advantages in movie production. Together with Digital Domain’s cutting-edge VR technologies, we are looking forward to bringing a brand-new, exhilarating experience to our ever-expanding audiences throughout Greater China.”
The announcements continued with Mr. Nicholas Tse, Chairman of DDPO, introducing the business development plan for DDPO in the Greater China region. Mr. Nicholas Tse said, “The establishment of DDPO represents the best combination of the strengths of Post Production Office and Digital Domain. Moving forward, DDPO will expand its business in Greater China as well as the Asia-Pacific region. Cook Up a Storm, the first 4D gourmet movie in Mainland China, as well as our first project together, will be in theaters next Chinese Lunar New Year. We hope all of you will love our upcoming projects. We know that they will wow you.”
Digital Domain’s Water Cube evening concluded with a starry sky cast on to the stadium ceiling, a virtual image of the legendary late diva Ms. Teresa Teng appeared on stage performed her classic song “Ye Lai Xiang”, stirring nostalgia at the end of the evening. Digital Domain 3.0, the cutting-edge production team of the Company, recreated an enchanting performance by Ms. Teresa Teng via virtual human technology. The other-worldly stage show displayed the magic that Digital Domain creates, fusing creativity and technology, breaking the boundaries of reality and opening endless possibilities for the future.
