Indian super-facility Prime Focus' restructure of the VTR Group is poised for the next step - merging commercials facility VTR with design arm The Hive and newly acquired graphics outfit Clear into The Hive's 37 Dean Street premises.
Indian super-facility Prime Focus' restructure of the VTR Group is poised for the next step - merging commercials facility VTR with design arm The Hive and newly acquired graphics outfit Clear into The Hive's 37 Dean Street premises.

According to an email addressed to all VTR staff from group managing director Paul Tracey, the group's entire telecine facilities - which comprise three 2k Spirits (including Blue's telecine), a Lustre and a recently purchased Thomson 4k HD Datacine - will also be moved into the new, as-yet-unnamed facility.

The facility is set to be one of the UK's biggest visual effects outfits, according to Tracey, and will be run by Clear's current managing director, Simon Huhtala. VTR plc's group operations director, Neil Lane, will oversee the operational aspect of the company in addition to his existing role.

VTR, Clear and The Hive's combined 14 Smoke, Flame and Inferno suites will be installed over three floors in the building.

Meanwhile, TMR, which was dismantled last month ( Broadcast, 16.6.06), will see its remaining facilities moved into the basement of Blue's building in Old Compton Street which is set to be refurbished next month. TMR's online division, quality control suites, duplication and encoding facilities will be installed in the premises.

Work is now underway to remove kit from VTR's premises at 64 Dean Street and TMR's sites at 76 Old Compton Street and 54-58 Wardour Street.

Broadcast post facility Blue will remain at Old Compton Street and the entire facility is expected to be upgraded to HD, with its audio studios upgraded to 5.1 surround sound. Blue will additionally be kitted out with extra Avids, boosting the number to up to 20.

VTR's recent post projects include music promos such as Depeche Mode's promo for Suffer Well and Coldplay's promo for Talk.

Prime Focus bought a majority stake in the VTR Group in April ( Broadcast, 6.4.06).