VFX facility Rushes is undergoing over£2m of investment in an ambitious expansion plan designed to boost its capacity and the variety of work it can produce.
VFX facility Rushes is undergoing over £2m of investment in an ambitious expansion plan designed to boost its capacity and the variety of work it can produce.

The facility - part of US-based Ascent Media Group - is doubling and upgrading its capacity, bringing its total number of VFX suites to 12. It includes five new multi-purpose suites.

Rushes, which has conducted the 3D compositing for Hallmark's 10 Commandmentsand the post work on Red Bee's recent ITV channel rebrand, is also installing 10 Flames and three Smokes, six of which are being brought over from sister company One Post.

The expansion has created 13 job vacancies at the facility, the majority of which are expected to be filled by talent from One Post, and will push Rushes' total number of full-time staff to 98.

The development comes after Ascent's European managing director, Brenda Smith, outlined plans last November to move One Post's commercials work into Rushes to allow One Post to focus on film services such as digital intermediate.

Rushes managing director Joce Capper said moving some of One Post's staff and kit over to Rushes would streamline One Post. "We have always maintained the company at a particular size, enabling us to react to the ever-changing marketplace," said Capper. "This investment brings us up to date with the requirements in the current marketplace."

She added: "We have to provide our clients with the technology and speed which is essential to deliver flexible approaches and quicker turnarounds. This investment and expansion also provides us with the chance to create a unique and collaborative atmosphere and niche environment to work in."

Capper hinted that Rushes could also expand its telecine capacity and is also buying more equipment in the second quarter of this year.