15-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) The iconic entertainment conglomerate Lucasfilm, renowned for its contribution to the film and animation industry, is set to scale back its operations in Singapore due to economic factors and industry changes, announced its parent company Disney on Tuesday (Aug 15).
Operating within Singapore since 2006, Lucasfilm’s visual effects and animation studio, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), has played a significant role in the nation’s creative landscape. The studio, initially established as Lucasfilm Animation Singapore in 2004, embarked on projects like the celebrated animated TV series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
The home to ILM in Singapore, known as The Sandcrawler, situated in Fusionopolis, was recently sold to the Blackstone Group in January 2021. Notably, this dynamic facility also hosts Disney’s offices for Southeast Asia, underscoring its importance in the region.
Disney revealed to CNA that over the forthcoming months, ILM will streamline its global operations, leading to the gradual closure of its Singapore studio. This decision stems from the complex economic dynamics affecting the industry. The company aims to ensure a smooth transition for its employees by offering relocation opportunities to its expanding studios across the world.
ILM, apart from Singapore and San Francisco, maintains its presence through studios in prominent cities such as Vancouver, London, Sydney, and Mumbai. The company’s commitment to its employees extends to collaborating with Singapore’s local business community to organize a job fair, aimed at connecting these skilled individuals with companies that require their expertise.
In a joint statement, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) acknowledged that Lucasfilm’s move to reduce its operations in Singapore corresponds to shifts in industry dynamics and business environments. The statement highlighted the media sector’s ongoing transformation due to rapid technological advancements, presenting challenges to studios in terms of talent and profitability.
Throughout its tenure in Singapore, Lucasfilm has played a crucial role in nurturing top-notch digital animation talent within the nation. The company’s commitment to knowledge and skills transfer has enabled Singaporean talent to gain exposure and experience alongside seasoned professionals, thereby allowing them to excel on a global scale. The result has been the participation of Singaporeans in Hollywood’s most significant productions, including box office hits like Jurassic World: Dominion and Marvel’s The Eternals.
To support affected employees during this transition, both Lucasfilm and the relevant government agencies are facilitating the process of securing roles in other companies. Recognizing the value of the skillsets held by these employees, spanning various roles from designers to tech engineers and support staff, the EDB and IMDA emphasized that these capabilities are not only sought after within the broader media industry but also in sectors embracing digital transformation.
