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    Weta Digital joins forces with SideFX to advance cloud production with Houdini software

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1615 Views
    LOS ANGELES --

    Visual effects studio Weta Digital has partnered with SideFX on a new software service combining Weta’s proprietary tools within SideFX’s award-winning Houdini application. The WetaH partnership will enable unprecedented levels of creativity, allowing artists to take advantage of the deep integration between Houdini and Weta Digital’s award-winning technology.

    SideFX is a global leader in procedural 3D animation and visual effects tools in film, advertising, and gaming, with Houdini as the industry standard. This best-in-class collaboration offers Weta Digital’s integrations and extensions of the Houdini workflow, including Weta’s Loki multi-physics solver and high-performance compute paradigm, renowned for driving some of their iconic work in films like Avengers: Endgame, Alita: Battle Angel, and War for the Planet of the Apes.
     
    This partnership validates the importance of modern procedural workflows in today’s forward-looking visual effects pipelines. It has an immediate impact on Weta’s cloud service, a new business unit brought to life as part of a vision to unite industry-leading technology players. Years of joint development work and a shared outlook underpin the inclusion of Houdini as a key part of Weta’s vision for how the entertainment industry will evolve.
     
    “Partnering with SideFX was essential in realizing our vision for the cloud service, I cannot imagine doing this without them,” said Weta Digital CEO Prem Akkaraju. 
     
    “The industry is moving to distributed architectures that will allow our cloud service model to reduce expensive technology barriers, further enhancing the natural strength of Houdini’s node-based procedural workflows and overall position in the market,” added Akkaraju.
     
    “This is such an exciting time for new generations of Houdini artists,” says Cristin Barghiel, VP of product development at SideFX. “Partnering with the visionary minds at Weta Digital will enable us to bring the efficiency and sophistication of Houdini’s procedural workflows to the broadest possible artist base. Now even the smallest studio will be able to access production-proven tools out-of-the-box, for VFX and beyond.”
     
    WetaH offers Weta Digital’s years-long R&D commitment to Houdini to the entire user community.  Architected and stress-tested by artists in service of the industry’s most visionary storytellers, WetaH will unlock the untapped potential of Houdini and the Houdini Engine across many facets of the pipeline. WetaH will enter private beta in Q4, alongside WetaM, as part of Weta’s software service, offering professional and prosumer tools to artists across the global entertainment industry. 

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    Tags:Cristin BarghielHoudiniPrem AkkarajuSideFXWeta Digital



    Picture North Signs Director Kevin Oh For Commercials and Branded Content

    Monday, April 20, 2026

    Picture North has added director Kevin Oh to its roster of talent for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded content. Prior to joining Picture North, he had most recently been freelancing.

    An observational director known for his detailed composition and narrative timing, Oh has become known for work that is grounded in real moments and subtle performances that drive every film forward.

    Originally a physics instructor, the pull towards storytelling brought Oh to the world of advertising and with it, the opportunity to direct. He has directed commercials for brands including Adidas, Coca-Cola, Disney, FIFA, Google, Nike, Jack Daniels, and a Puma campaign starring Rosé from Blackpink. A well-rounded filmmaker, Oh is also an accomplished DP and photographer, allowing him to step into many roles on a project and meaningfully collaborate with nearly every department.

    “To be honest, joining Picture North felt like a natural alignment more than a decision,” said Oh. “I tend to put a lot of weight into the details and the relationships behind the work. And since this is something I plan on doing for the rest of my life, that foundation was extremely important to me. There’s a level of care, accountability, and precision at Picture North that I really value. It feels like the kind of partnership where we can build something meaningful and hold each other to a higher standard with every step forward we take together. I’m excited where this path leads both of us.”

    Martin Rodahl, executive producer and founder of Picture North, added, “Kevin is a multiple threat signing! He’s obviously a very accomplished motion director, but his still photography portfolio makes him even more competitive. His background in advertising... Read More

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