Motionographer Studios to Shutter Stat

Very unexpected news from headquarters today: Motionographer Studios will be shutting down immediately. Production on the London Olympics Rebrand headed by Brian Gossett and Orange Washing Machine 2.0 in 3D, the stereoscopic fantasy comedy run by first-time helmer Boca Ceravolo have been suspended indefinitely. There’s no word on whether those projects will be resuscitated at another studio or left uncompleted.

There aren’t a lot of details to report right now, but in a brief statement Studio President Justin Cone gave his take on the situation:

Brian, Simon, Boca and the rest of the team did an amazing job in the few days we were open, but the dynamics of the industry are rapidly changing. Given today’s economic realities, we need to find alternative ways to bring creative content to audiences and MS no longer fits into the production model of our parent company, Proxima Concern of Hokkaido, Japan. Headquarters has asked that I say no more, for the sake of all the families involved.

Variety reports that 25 employees will be laid off as operations in New York, Santa Monica, Sao Paulo and London wind down.

Reports that Motionographer Studios would be saved by a last-minute sale to Cycorp, Inc. of Sheffield appeared to be groundless as tearful staff were escorted from the building with their belongings in boxes, the doors padlocked and a near-mint lime-green foosball table left out on the curb.