Weta FX and the Taiwan Creative Content Agency are preparing a partnership aimed at developing Taiwan's role in AI-driven screen production. Variety reported that the formal launch is scheduled for November 6 at Taiwan Creative Content Fest in Taipei, immediately after the opening ceremony.
Investment, research and skills
The arrangement has three planned strands: joint investment, AI research and development, and training new talent. It aims to combine Taiwan's technology and creative capabilities with Weta FX's visual-effects expertise, international production experience and global network.
TAICCA chair Sue Wang is due to attend alongside Weta FX chief executive Daniel Seah, chief technology officer Kimball Thurston and visual-effects supervisor Sheldon Stopsack. Detailed terms are being reserved for the launch.
The studio appeared at the Taoyuan International Film and Technology Forum in August. Seah, who grew up in Taiwan, has also been developing ties there.
Connecting technology and creative production
Established by Taiwan's Culture Ministry in 2019, TAICCA supports content development, production, distribution and international marketing. Its remit spans film, television, animation, publishing, comics, music, games and performing arts.
Its tools include investment, co-production schemes, industry programmes and overseas partnerships. The recent TTXC Innovations market similarly connected creators, technologists, investors, buyers and distributors.
Weta FX is headquartered in Wellington, with operations in Vancouver and Melbourne. Known for work on The Lord of the Rings and Avatar, it has projects in production including The Hunt for Gollum, Avengers: Doomsday and Children of Blood and Bone.
The November 6 presentation is the next step in explaining how the three cooperation areas will be implemented.