The leadership team and much of the creative staff of The Mill, a unit of bankrupt Technicolor, has joined forces with Dream Machine FX on a new venture called Arc Creative, a bright spot in the shocking meltdown of an historic name.
“The Mill US was an undeniable creative force, setting the gold standard in shortform VFX. That legacy will continue with Arc Creative, led by both of The Mill US’s Executive Creative Directors, both of its Managing Directors and guided by 7 of its Creative Directors, 9 of its Executive Producers, 10 of its Heads of Departments, and 6 of its VFX supervisors, and practically the entirety of its creative staff,” said Robert Sethi, an executive creative director, in statement posted on LinkedIn and signed by several dozen of his colleagues.
Financially struggling Technicolor filed for bankruptcy in the U.S. and France, where it is headquartered. In an unusual move, Dream Machine FX offered positions to a large chunk of the staff at once.
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“While we say goodbye to one era, we are stepping boldly into the next—one where innovation, artistry, and excellence remain uncompromised,” The Mill statement said.
The firm is leader in shortform VFX. Arc Creative will launch with a primary focus on short-form work including high-end advertising, game cinematics and trailers.
Dream Machine, led by chairman David Li, is a portfolio of VFX brands including Important Looking Pirates (whose recent credits include Shogun), Fin (credits The Creator), Zero VFX (Challengers) and Mavericks VFX (The Handmaid’s Tale).
“We have always held The Mill in the highest regard and the shutting of its doors is a sad day for the entire industry. The Mill US has always stood as both a force of creativity and a bastion for some of the most creative minds in our industry,” said Li in a statement also posted to LinkedIn. “We are humbled that Robert, Gavin [Wellsman], Anastasia [von Rahl] and Angela [Lupo]came to us to start this next chapter and we are excited to support all of the talented individuals who are working together to continue The Mill’s legacy and build Arc Creative. We enthusiastically welcome them to the Dream Machine family.”