Jul 27, 2018

Deluxe-s Method Studios acquires Montreal-based VFX company Atomic Fiction

Method Studios, a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire visual effects company Atomic Fiction, which has studios in both Montreal, Canada and San Francisco.

Method is acquiring Atomic Fiction, which currently has 300 full-time and freelance employees, as part of a long-term strategy to deepen the company's talent base and capacity so that it can take on larger vfx projects, including full features. All of Atomic Fiction's employees are expected to make the transition to Method when the transaction closes.

Atomic Fiction's Montreal location will become a flagship studio for Method as part of an overall strategy that also includes a major expansion of Method's vfx capacity and capabilities in Pune, India.

Founded in 2010, Atomic Fiction has worked on films like Star Trek Beyond, Deadpool, Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner 2049, as well as tv series such as Stranger Things 2, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Boardwalk Empire, and Game of Thrones.. The studio is known for its collaborations with director Robert Zemeckis on the films The Walk, Allied, Flight, and the upcoming Welcome to Marwen.

In a statement, Zemeckis said about the studio, “Throughout my career, I've always felt that it's important to surround myself with the best of the best in their craft. Kevin [Baillie] and the team at Atomic Fiction are exactly that and, with the resources of Deluxe and Method behind them, I'm excited to have an even stronger team by my side.”

Atomic Fiction co-founder Ryan Tudhope will continue to lead the Montreal team creatively with the new title executive creative director, Method Studios. Atomic Fiction co-founder Kevin Baillie will take on the new role of creative director and senior visual effects supervisor, Method Studios, and will continue to be based out of San Francisco. Both will report to Ed Ulbrich, president, Deluxe VFX and VR/AR for Method Studios.

Tudhope said, “We set out to become the best visual effects company in the world, and, from the outset, committed to a forward-thinking approach that places uncompromising value on our people and culture. Joining Method gives us an opportunity to build upon that approach and reach our shared goal of being the best even faster. We couldn't be more excited to work with Ed and his team to do just that.”

Subject to closing conditions and regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close in Q3 2018. Financial terms were not disclosed.