Dimension, the virtual production studio behind the blockbuster film and entertainment productions including Masters of the Air (Apple), Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Sony Pictures), and the forthcoming Those About to Die (Peacock) and Here (Sony Pictures), today announces a major investment from US based private equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP).
The multi-million-pound investment will fuel Dimension’s international growth, expanding production capabilities in major markets including the UK, US, and Europe.
For GCP, the investment provides an exciting platform to diversify into the next generation of film and entertainment production, with Dimension’s work in virtual production, visualisation, and virtual humans already widely adopted by major film, broadcast, sports, music, and location-based entertainment productions. Dimension complements GCP’s portfolio of innovative creative studios including Squint/Opera, ICRAVE, and Journey.
Last month, visual entertainment services company DNEG launched a new division, DNEG 360, which is operated by Dimension and brings Dimension’s headcount to 240. Next month, Dimension officially opens the doors to a major West London virtual production studio complex, in collaboration with DNEG 360 and Sunbelt Rentals. The studio features one of Europe’s largest LED volumes, alongside performance, vehicle, and volumetric capture stages.
The funding will accelerate Dimension’s end-to-end virtual production pipelines and technology advancements from its Applied Tech team, as well as education and training, as Dimension continues to embrace the future of real time and artificial intelligence technologies.
Dimension recently announced Virtual Circle, a ‘script-to-screen’ initiative in collaboration with cinema operator Vue and award-winning producers to develop and co-produce a slate of independent films which will benefit from the latest in virtual production and the government’s 40% tax credit for independent films. The first of these films to shoot at Dimension this year will include 2040, Campbeltown ‘69 and HUMANOID (Cambridge Picture Company).
Speaking about the investment, Simon Windsor, co-founder and co-CEO of Dimension says, “For over 10 years Dimension has been at the cutting edge of real time and virtual production, with our advanced 3D content pipelines and technologies powering major films, shows, media, and entertainment experiences.
“The rapid acceleration and convergence of real time, volumetric, and AI technologies increasingly present unparalleled creative opportunities for filmmakers and storytellers, bringing with it game-changing production approaches, new efficiencies, and greater quality.
“Dimension has built one of the largest and most experienced virtual production teams and, as demand for our services continues to grow, we are thrilled to partner with the exceptional team at GCP to invest in our exciting roadmap and the expansion of our UK and global production capabilities.”
James O’Callaghan, Managing Director at Growth Catalyst Partners comments, “Dimension is leading the next generation of content creation and filmmaking. It’s grown from a small UK studio to a global production provider that has become indispensable to major Hollywood studios and new forms of entertainment experiences, offering efficient pipelines and technologies that deliver incredible results.
“GCP has a history of partnering with ambitious teams and progressive high-growth companies. We’re excited to become part of Dimension’s journey and believe this investment will accelerate the team’s development of new technologies and growth into new markets.”
