With six 3D films, including Avatar and Alice in Wonderland, raking in $5 billion collections last year, DQ Entertainment (DQE) sees a shift in focus of animation industry to 3D content.

Change in focus

“We see a definite change in focus. The $5 billion they earned was just in box office. There are other streams of revenues such as home video, television and merchandise,” Mr Tapaas Chakravarthi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DQE, told Business Line .

New technology

“Every recession gives birth to new technology. It is the turn of 3D this time. Realising the unfolding opportunity, we began working on 3D two years ago. Of the 3,800 employees we have, 90 per cent are 3D technicians,” he said.

“We have lined up three animated feature films that are slated for release in 2012, 2013 and 2014. All these are big budgeted 3D Hollywood movies.

“We believe that big screen is going to drive content development in the next few years. DQ E (International) Ltd, along with our subsidiary DQ E Ireland, is producing many international and national animation TV series, animation TV movies and home video,” he said.

New projects

He said the company would invest about Rs 280 crore (€46 million ) on five projects. These include New Adventures of Peter Pan, Little Prince and Little Nicolas, all 3D television episodes, he added.

Charlie Chaplin in 3D

The company is also co-producing short movies of Charlie Chaplin with France 3 Television and Method Animation of France.

“This 3D production will get the viewers fun and rustic charm of Chaplin without voice. We are slating this for a 2012 release,” Mr Chakravarthi said.

For the Indian market, the company would work on Balkand – II and III series for Turner group.

The multi-million dollar project would be completed soon for telecast this summer. It is also working on a sequel for Omkar – I.

It would be launched in the winter.

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