LOS ANGELES — Creative studio VR Playhouse (www.vrplayhouse.com)has merged with post production studio Identity FX. The union will pivot VR Playhouse in a more technology-centric direction, focusing on original technical IP and high-end interactive services.
Former CEO and co-founder Christina Heller, who will be devoting time to a new venture, will remain as chief development officer and continue to lead the educational and community initiatives at VR Playhouse, including the recently-launched VR Playhouse School. Co-founder Ian Forester will shift from CCO to CEO. In addition, Identity FX’s Leo Vezzali comes on board as executive producer.
The alliance comes on the heels of VR Playhouse’s migration into substantial CGI and interactive VR projects, including their recent character work on Skydance Interactive’s AAA videogame Archangel, and recent Special Jury Recognition for Room-Scale VR at SXSW. The partnership continues this forward momentum and further infuses VR Playhouse’s dedication to technology, combining Identity FX’s VFX workflow and team of global artists with VR Playhouse’s knowledge and expertise in the VR industry. The diverse aesthetics of Identity FX’s network of artists will allow VR Playhouse to tailor their creative approach to the appetite of the continually growing global VR marketplace.
Leo Vezzali brings a diverse and multi-disciplinary background in visual effects, animation, stereoscopic 3D and post production to his new role. Most recently, he fine-tuned the 3D experience for The Amazing Spider-Man and Prometheus, and was the in-house 3D VFX supervisor for Green Lantern, Conan The Barbarian, and Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Photo (L-R): Leo Vezzali, Christina Heller and Ian Forester