| MUMBAI:
Tata Elxsi Ltd, the visual effects and animation arm of the Tata Group, is set
to expand its footprints in oversees markets with the launch of a new facility
of Visual Computing Labs (VCL) in Los Angeles. Tata
Elxsi, which is investing $5 million to buy high-quality equipment for servicing
the overseas market, will launch the facility on 7 December. The
company is eyeing a revenue of $300-400 million from its global operations over
the next three years. Tata
Elxsi has launched the VCL as part of its strategy to expand its presence in Hollywood,
in line with its global growth strategy that includes opening more studios in
high-growth markets. The
company intends to open more centres in other parts of the world depending on
the work-flow coming in from the US and Europe. Tata
Elxsi MD and CEO Madhukar Deo said, "We are expecting to get $300-400 million
in topline over the next three years, and we intend to keep doubling it every
three years after that."
The Bangalore-based company already has
visual effects studio in Mumbai, Tokyo, and UK. Tata
Elxsi has also enrolled VFX industry veterans Joel Hynek, Tricia Ashford and Treva
Blue to their team. They will lead VFX production for VCL in the US and work in
tandem with VCL's studio in Mumbai. Hynek
will head the VFX division, Ashford will be the head of production and Blue will
be head of the Trailers division at the LA facility. The
new LA facility is designed for US-based film and television production companies,
specifically shaping its services to suit clients' needs through all stages of
production.
Though
the LA facility will have a seating capacity of 45 people, the company will hire
people on a freelance basis. Said
VCL COO S Nagarajan, "Hollywood has long been envisioned as a key part of
our global growth strategy and we are delighted to have added to our family three
of visual effects field's most accomplished professionals." In
the past VCL has created visual effects for films like New York, Rab Ne Bana
Di Jodi, Drona, Bachna Ae Haseeno, Jodhaa Akbar, Taare Zameen Par, and
Dhoom 2. | 
