Preston-Werner becomes CEO with aim to build a suite of asset review and approval and automation software

180 Studios

180 Studios has appointed Tom Preston-Werner as its CEO, with the aim of moving into production software. 

Preston-Werner previously co-founded GitHub, and joins 180 Studios at the same time as Phil Galler and Kris Murray, who co-founded virtual production company Lux Machina. Galler and Murray have also brought their suite of production asset review and approval and automation software tools from the company they founded after Lux Machina, Seismiq. Seismiq now becomes a part of 180 Studios.  

180 Studios is the developer of 180 The Strand, and also announced plans earlier this year to build a six-stage film studio at the former Gillette factory in west London. 

180 Studios is now working on a number of tools that are in private beta, including version control and collaboration software for creative teams, review and approval software for creative production, and an automation platform for studios, productions and ProAV. 

Tom Preston-Werner 180 Studios

Preston-Werner said: “What we’re building today, with some of the original GitHub team, is a version control system to manage assets, search, and file management for the broader creative community. Across industries, teams need flexible tools that will be able to scale to the unprecedented volume that lies ahead as AI plays a larger role in how assets get built.”

Galler, who is now chief innovation officer at 180 Studios, added: “Having worked extensively in live event, film, TV, and immersive production, we have a deep understanding of the benefits of real-time collaborative products, and the value of ground truth digital assets to accelerate the future of entertainment, transmedia, and enterprise.” 

Mark Wadhwa, founder & creative director, 180 Studios, said: “We recognize that both established companies and independent creators alike are sitting on thousands of assets to feed the content funnels that drive modern communications. With Tom, Phil, and Kris, we’re building a suite of digital tools to manage that funnel.”