Stephen Douglas set to depart Digipost NZ for executive producer role at Postmodern and Efilm

Leading visual effects and design company Postmodern and Australia’s most credited feature facility Efilm has lured Digipost NZ general manager Stephen Douglas across the Tasman to join their Sydney operation as executive producer.

Douglas’ appointment comes off the back of nine successful years in New Zealand, and at a time when Postmodern and Efilm are expanding after being acquired by award-winning international VFX powerhouse, Hollywood and Vancouver-based CIS Visual Effects Group.

“With CIS coming on board earlier this year, and with the opportunitiesfor growth this new strategic relationship presents us, the time wasright to expand our management team,” says Postmodern founder andexecutive producer, Andrew Robinson.

“Bringing Stephen into the business increases our capability and allowsus to spread our wings further in the Australian market, and especiallyin terms of reach into Asia Pacific.  Stephen comes with someimpressive credentials and we are looking forward to putting his skillsto good use in growing the business.”

adds Anthos Simon, general manager of Creative Services at Efilm:”Stephen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to both the localand international markets.  He is a creative at heart and is passionateabout his work, so I am sure he will add value to any production he isinvolved with.”

Douglas is well known across the Australasian and wider Asia Pacificproduction sector. A native South Londoner, he has spent the last nineof his 25 years in the business based in the antipodes, travellingextensively developing markets and adding strong regional networks tohis already global Rolodex.

Douglas’ foundation lies squarely in post. Having carved a successfulcareer in the highly competitive European film and TVC market, he moveddown under in 2002, headhunted directly from London’s Condor DigitalMedia for a senior role in Auckland.

A highlight of his tenure in New Zealand was time spent working withAustralasian production company, Film Construction, as general managerfor both their New Zealand and Australian operations. Douglas left FilmConstruction on a high, with the company achieving ‘Production Companyof the Year’ status at Axis 2007, and having picked up Silver andBronze Lions at Cannes the same year.

2007 saw Douglas return to his roots, joining Auckland post productionand VFX house, Digipost, as general manager, spearheading theirexpansion into international TVC markets.

Says Douglas: “I have really enjoyed my time in New Zealand – thechallenges and successes, and especially the great friends I’ve made.It is a fantastic place to live and work; my family and I willdefinitely miss it.  However, the opportunity to team up with thelegendary Andrew Robinson and the creative people at Postmodern andEfilm was an opportunity not to be missed.”

“I’m looking forward to helping to drive business in the region and, inparticular, cementing Postmodern and Efilm as the premier postproduction and VFX business in Australia and Asia.”

Douglas, who recently returned from judging duties at Ad Stars inKorea, and having led a creative showcase in Tokyo, is expected to takeup his new position in early October.