A new joint venture by DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. to operate a studio in China will bring additional hiring at the Glendale campus. The animation studio known for “Shrek” and “Kung Fu Panda” is working out the details on how many more people it will need. Its initial contribution to Oriental DreamWorks will be in intellectual property and ability to tell stories. Still, there will need to be local leadership and artistic talent to make the Chinese studio work, CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg said. “This will boost our employees,” Katzenberg said. “It is a big win in that we are going to need a whole level of executives and talent.” DreamWorks Animation announced Feb. 17 it was joining with China Media Capital, Shanghai Media Group and Shanghai Alliance Investment Ltd. in a studio to produce live action and animated content for China. The venture will later expand into live entertainment, theme parks, mobile, online, interactive games and consumer products. DreamWorks Animation will own 45 percent of the new company. DreamWorks Animation brings its creative expertise to the partnership and already has developed a half dozen concepts rooted in Chinese culture and themes for the first animated feature film. Over time, Oriental DreamWorks will have development and production capabilities of its own. However many employees are hired in Glendale will not result in an expansion at the studio campus. Since 2010, DreamWorks Animation has added to its production infrastructure and will continue to operate within the current facilities, Katzenberg said. Company officials said the Oriental DreamWorks announcement created excitement among the employees in Glendale. About 100 expressed interest in traveling to or collaborating with the new venture on initial projects. This is not the first foray into China for DreamWorks Animation. In August, the company announced an online distribution deal for mainland China with Youku.com for the “Kung Fu Panda” films. The success of the “Kung Fu Panda” franchise helped DreamWorks Animation identify Chinese businesses willing to partner with the studio, Katzenberg said. “It gave them a level of comfort they had not found with others before us,” Katzenberg said. Shanghai Media is the second-largest media conglomerate in China and has experience in television, films, live entertainment and consumer products. China Media Capital is a fund dedicated to media and entertainment investments in China and internationally. Having China Media Chairman Ruigang Li involved in Oriental DreamWorks is invaluable, Katzenberg said. “It makes so many more things possible by having someone of his level and track record,” Katzenberg said. The Oriental DreamWorks announcement coincided with another announcement of a deal between China and the U.S. to increase the number of U.S. films allowed into China and the cut that American studios will receive.
DreamWorks China Venture Means Hiring in Glendale
