This studio can not be called "Pixar in VR", but traditional entertainment and technology industries have already noticed the potential of VR animation and film, especially the famous VR film "INVASION!" and its sequel to "ASTEROIDS!" The maker Baobab studio. Recently, Baobab Studios announced the completion of the $25 million Series B round of financing, which has reached a total financing of $31 million.
Baobab Studio’s original investors include Comcast Ventures, HTC and Samsung, but now Horizons Ventures, 20th Century Fox, Evolution Media Partners, China’s Shanghai Media Group, Youku Global Media Fund and LDV Partners has also become an investor in the studio.
In addition, Larry Cutler, the technical director of Pixar Toy Story 2 and Monster Power, also participated, and he will serve as the technical director of Baobab Studios. Chris Milk, the founder and executive director of Within, will also become an advisor to Baobab Studios.
Mike Dunn, chairman of the 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and Fox Innovation Lab, said: “We are at the forefront of this media (virtual reality) narrative revolution. VR gives directors the opportunity to create an immersive experience and make the audience as never before possible. The way to participate in the story. Baobab studio is an innovator in the field, we are looking forward to working with them."
"Astroidos!" is a sequel of "INVASION!" and it was publicly displayed at the OC3 conference held in early October. The complete works will meet with the audience in 2017.
Eric Darnell and Maureen Fan founded the Baobab studio in 2015. Darnell is the director and screenwriter of all four DreamWorks Madagascar works. He is also responsible for Penguins of Madagascar and Little Ants. Fan is from Zynga, a mobile game developer, responsible for Facebook's famous game "FarmVille." Fan was also responsible for Pixar's "Toy Story 3".