Lucasfilm to Close ILM’s Animation and VFX Operations in Singapore Known for Work on ‘The Clone Wars’ and More, in Effort to “Consolidate Global Footprint”
ILM announced this week that they are shutting down their VFX and animation operations in Singapore over the next several months as a result of the shifting entertainment landscape and likely implemented as part of Disney’s overall plan to shrink their workforce and streamline their budget.
In a statement to Variety, Disney said:
Over the next several months, ILM will be consolidating its global footprint and winding down its Singapore studio due to economic factors affecting the industry.
The Singapore studio, founded in 2004, is primarily known within the Star Wars community for its work on The Clone Wars, which began in 2006. The studio currently employs approximately 300 people who will now be forced to find other work, or potentially relocate to another ILM office. In a statement earlier this week, ILM said:
We would like to thank the Singapore Government, industry, and community for their partnership over the past 17 years. We have been able to train and employ a generation of production talent, visual effects artists, and animators. We are very proud of the incredible work the team in Singapore has accomplished and look forward to providing new opportunities for Singapore talent to continue the innovative work they are doing.
With the studio closing over the next several months, ILM aims to give employees as much notice as possible to make plans. ILM is headquartered in San Francisco, but also holds offices in Vancouver, London, Sydney and Mumbai. ILM also communicated that they will be collaborating with the local business community to conduct a job fair for employees.
In response to this news, The Singapore Economic Development Board and the InfoComm Media Development Authority released a joint statement:
“Lucasfilm’s decision to wind down its Singapore operations is in response to changes in the industry and business conditions. The global media industry is facing disruption from rapid technological advancements, while studios are coping with challenges relating to talent and profitability.
Throughout Lucasfilm’s tenure in Singapore, the company has developed world-class digital animation talent for the industry through knowledge and skills transfer. Our Singaporean talent have worked alongside and learned from experienced producers, enabling them to develop their skills and play on the world stage.
We are proud that Singaporeans have worked on Hollywood blockbusters such as Jurassic World: Dominion and Marvel’s The Eternals. Many have moved on to roles in media companies like Netflix or have gone on to start their own companies. In addition, Lucasfilm’s leaders actively contributed to training generations of students in digital and tech skills at polytechnics and Institutes of Higher Learning.
In these tumultuous times for the entertainment industry, it certainly feels as though we are receiving negative news story after negative news story. While this closure doesn’t concern me greatly for Lucasfilm Animation nor the vitality of ILM, I certainly hope the transition is as smooth as possible for the 300 employees in Singapore.
Stay tuned for the latest news on the shakeups happening at Disney, and if you missed it, check out our recent story on the Disney Plus price hike and password sharing crackdown here.
When she isn't watching her friends and family's eyes glaze over at the mention of The Clone Wars, she's at the park with her dog, Melvin, or on the couch with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. Physically, she lives in Ohio; spiritually, she lives in Naboo.
