Nipuna Services, Satyam Computer's BPO subsidiary, today signed a $25-million (around Rs 110 crore) "edutainment" deal. It is partnering with 4K Animation Limited of the UK for execution and delivery of these projects.
"The contract is one of the largest ever won by a global BPO service provider in the animation marketplace," a company release stated.
Nipuna will work with the 4K Animation team for 18 months on two European animation projects: the third season of "Marvi Hammer Presents National Geographic World," an award-winning, 52-episode TV series, and a movie, also featuring Marvi Hammer. More than 120 Nipuna professionals will produce and deliver animation services for the projects.
The series and movie feature a combination of live action and animation. They include actual studio sets used as animation backgrounds, a furry computer graphics creature and 2D-animated characters.
Hamburg-based YOUA Edutainment, National Geographic, and German broadcaster ZDF will co-produce the series and movie.
Nipuna will provide VFX, CGI, 3D and 2D animation services, including pre-production, production, and post-production, from its state-of-the-art studio in Chennai.
Other animation artists will also collaborate from Hamburg and Berlin for this project delivery.
"This partnership reflects a growing trend toward corporatisation in the animation industry, which is leading to increasingly significant opportunities," said Venkatesh Roddam, Nipuna's chief executive officer.
According to Jan Schmidtgen, managing director of 4K Animation GmbH, Nipuna's focus on animation services had resulted in significant expertise in creative business practices. "Above all, its flexibility and commitment to quality have helped it exceed our expectations," he said.
4K Animation is one of the leading animation and special effects companies in Europe. It focuses on the development and production of innovative digital special effects and 3D character animation for film and TV productions.
