Sparx, the animation company behind Exodus Films’ recently distributed animated feature film Igor, is streamlining its operations as a result of the global economic crisis. Daily Variety reports that the company is shutting down its Paris animation facilities and refocusing its operations in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Los Angeles office, opened in October of 2004, will remain open.
Last year, Sparx moved into a new, larger facility in downtown Paris and invested more than $4.48 million in new equipment. At the time, the studio had Igor in production and was poised to turn out more Hollywood product. Exodus had tapped the company to animate its Bunyan and Babe, but the work will now go to another studio. Sparx was also slated to work on Fable Works’ 3D-animated feature film Cereal Heroes! The project was scheduled for theatrical release in 2010, but its status is unknown.
Sparx has done well in television with such hit children’s series as Rolie Polie Olie and the award-winning Zoe Kezako. Management hopes to get back into animating more Hollywood movies in the near future. In the meantime, its efforts will be focused on commercials, TV series and video games.
