Bron Media has unveiled its latest venture, Bron Digital, a new virtual production and service company that aims to develop and produce animation for film, TV and online platforms.

Blending Bron’s CG animation experience on projects such as The Willoughbys (pictured) with Epic Games’ Unreal Engine technology, the new division is designed to create digital content workflows with faster turnarounds.

“We needed to shift,” said Bron CEO Aaron Gilbert in a statement. “The company directed much of its creative and production teams towards the creation and now launch of this new division. Animation has been the only area of Bron capable of being in production during this pandemic as our production team is set up remotely. We feel fortunate to be working through the logistics of scaling this area of our company during these difficult times.”

Developed by Fortnite maker Epic Games, Unreal Engine is software that allows for real-time animation production. Best associated with video game production, the technology simulates images on a computer fast enough for players to interact with them, while simultaneously being able to move in a digital environment. The technology has shifted over into production because the engine allows for quicker turnaround on image renderings, a process that typically requires banks of servers and can take days to complete, depending on the quality.

Jason Chen will lead Bron’s new branch as head of digital. Stationed in LA, his credits include Avatar, Jojo Rabbit, Bumblebee and Those Who Wish Me Dead, the latter of which Bron is involved with.

Bron Digital is based in Vancouver and LA, with the majority of its team working remotely. The division also features a virtual art department in New Zealand. In terms of how many people are employed or will be hired by Bron Digital, a spokesperson said the company is “scaling globally”.

Bron Digital is underway on its first project, an animated TV series called Fables, created by Kevin Turen. Written by Kyra Noonan and directed by Azazel Jacobs, the eight-part series is a retelling of centuries-old stories with a modern twist to engage young audiences. Turen and Gilbert will serve as EPs on the series, alongside Bron’s Chen, chief strategy officer Ashley Levinson and co-founder and president Brenda Gilbert. Creative Wealth Media’s Jason Cloth is an associate producer on the project.

Supported by Creative Wealth Media, three original animated series and digital productions are also slated to begin production with Bron Digital over the summer.

Prior to Bron Digital, Bron launched Bron Ventures in 2018, a branch focused on making equity investments in film and TV production companies. Bron’s other divisions include Bron Studios, Bron Animation, Bron Creative and Bron Releasing.

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