Serving the themed entertainment community

Latest News

  • China Science and Technology Museum Reopens Giant Screen Dome with E&S True8K Digistar 6 System
  • 3D Live Partners with NEC On High Resolution 3D LED Prototype
  • UAE’s First Cinesplash Theater Coming to Yas Waterworld
  • Mad Systems Welcomes John Biesek
  • MediaMation Announces New CEO and Partnership to Expand Global Growth
  • Application Deadline for Design of UK Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai Extended to April 30
  • Water Odyssey introduces new Massive Splash
  • Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi Grand Opening Scheduled for July 25
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Online Issues
    • 2017
      • #69 – Game Changers
      • #68 Going Global: Technology on the International Stage
      • #67 – Experience Design: Many Faces Many Places
      • #66 Theatrical Influence and Convergence
    • 2016
      • #65 IAAPA 2016
      • #64 Waterpark, Zoo & Aquarium 2016
      • #63 Technology 2016
      • #62 International
      • #61 Museums and Expanding Markets
    • 2015
      • #60 – IAAPA 2015
      • #59 – Zoos/Aquaria and Waterparks 2015
      • #58 – Technology 2015
      • #57 – International 2015
      • #56 – Museums 2015
    • 2014
      • #55 – IAAPA 2014 / Tenth Anniversary
      • #54 – Waterparks, Zoos and Aquariums 2014
      • #53 – Technology 2014
      • #52 – International 2014
      • #51 – Museums 2014
    • 2013
      • #46 – Museums 2013
      • #47 – International 2013
      • #48 – Technology 2013
      • #49 – Waterparks 2013
      • #50 – IAAPA 2013
      • 2013 Wrap-Up
    • 2012
      • #45 – IAAPA & WWA Wrap-Up
      • #44 – IAAPA
      • #43 – Waterparks
      • #42 – Technology
      • #41 – International
      • #40 – Museums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Resources
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linked
    • Youtube

Dog Days Almost Over at Rhythm & Hues, Special Venue Division Unaffected by Bankruptcy

Mar 01, 2013 Joe Kleiman Business, News, People, Theme Parks 0


Dog Days Almost Over at Rhythm & Hues, Special Venue Division Unaffected by Bankruptcy

315054_255017301215400_1238683001_nby Joe Kleiman, InPark News Editor

El Segundo, CA, USA (March 1, 2012) — On Monday, February 11, visual effects house Rhythm & Hues filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a week after winning  the Annie, VES, and International 3D Society Awards for its work on Life of Pi.   The filing took place the day after the studio won the BAFTA for Life of Pi and two weeks before two of its films were up for the Oscar for visual effects.  Life of Pi again won, with awardee Bill Westenhofer on the dais attempting to address the financial situation at Rhythm & Hues when he was cut short at his time limit by the theme to Jaws.

In addition to its award-winning vfx work in movies, Rhythm & Hues has a strong background in attractions, going back to 1982 and the original Universe of Energy at EPCOT.  Other major R & H attractions have included the IMAX 3D ride Race for Atlantis, Paramount Parks’ Star Trek: The Experience, Disney’s It’s Tough to Be a Bug, and most recently, two attractions for Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.

In September, 2011, the company re-started its Special Projects Division, this time headed by large format, 3D, and attraction veteran Charlotte Huggins (SEE THE IPM COVER INTERVIEW WITH HUGGINS HERE).  She was joined at the new division by large format and attraction veterans Don MacBain and Ryan Miziker.  InPark News Editor Joe Kleiman spoke with Huggins to find out the status of the company and her unit.

According to Huggins, the bankruptcy was due to a cash flow issue, with no debt involved.  Huggins notes, “There were no issues other than vfx having a very slim margin.  One tiny blip on screen can take a company down.”  Such a blip occurred a year ago when a major project was pulled by its studio.  Management knew that this would result in financial hardships eleven to twelve months later and secured a financial backer.  “But when Digital Domain [another vfx house based in Florida] filed for bankruptcy [in September, 2012], the investor got cold feet and backed out.”

According to Huggins, numerous buyers are now looking at the company, and she expects a proposal to be presented to the court and sale of the company within the next two weeks.  The Special Projects Division continues doing business as usual, taking advantage of all parts of the R&H operation to bring the highest quality productions to special venue screens.  Huggins reports proudly, “we have numerous, numerous projects that we’re either bidding on or working on.”  She says one of the things that attracted her to the company was that founder John Hughes has maintained the company as a “mom and pop type operation, it has a real family feel to it.”  She looks forward to continuing on in this atmosphere that spurs creativity and cooperation as the company emerges from its bankruptcy.

Share this:

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Google
  • Email
  • Pinterest

  • charlotte huggins, don macbain, rhythm & hues, ryan miziker, vfx
  • tweet
Related articles
  • Miziker Entertainment wows industry audience as producer of  24th Annual TEA Thea Awards Gala at Disneyland Resort
    Miziker Entertainment wows industry...

    0

  • TEA Announces Newest Thea Award Recipients at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2017
    TEA Announces Newest Thea Award...

    0

  • Ryan Miziker to Produce 24th Annual TEA Thea Awards Gala
    Ryan Miziker to Produce 24th Annual TEA...

    0

  • “Flying Dreams”: Eyes in the  skies
    “Flying Dreams”: Eyes in...

    0

More in this category
  • China Science and Technology Museum Reopens Giant Screen Dome with E&S True8K Digistar 6 System
    China Science and Technology Museum...

    Apr 25, 2018 0

  • 3D Live Partners with NEC On High Resolution 3D LED Prototype
    3D Live Partners with NEC On High...

    Apr 25, 2018 0

  • UAE’s First Cinesplash Theater Coming to Yas Waterworld
    UAE’s First Cinesplash Theater...

    Apr 24, 2018 0

  • Mad Systems Welcomes John Biesek
    Mad Systems Welcomes John Biesek

    Apr 24, 2018 0


WhiteWater West




Current Issue

  • #72 – Dubai/Museums
    #72 – Dubai/Museums

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Issue 72 Editorials
    Issue 72 Editorials

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • JRA: Exhibiting signs of laughter
    JRA: Exhibiting signs of laughter

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dynamic Motion Rides: Flying for all
    Dynamic Motion Rides: Flying for all

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Liberty Science Center: To the stars
    Liberty Science Center: To the stars

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai Expo 2020: Sustainability, mobility and opportunity
    Dubai Expo 2020: Sustainability, mobility and opportunity

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai 2020: The Expo
    Dubai 2020: The Expo

    Apr 05, 2018 0

  • Dubai 2020: The tourist destination
    Dubai 2020: The tourist destination

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Talking about transformation
    Talking about transformation

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO
    Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Universal Parks & Resorts: Big names in Beijing
    Universal Parks & Resorts: Big names in Beijing

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean
    PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Alcorn McBride: Tech talk
    Alcorn McBride: Tech talk

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • WhiteWater: Of Epic Proportions
    WhiteWater: Of Epic Proportions

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Experiencias Xcaret Group: Xenses and sensibilities
    Experiencias Xcaret Group: Xenses and sensibilities

    Apr 04, 2018 0

  • Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change
    Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change

    Mar 03, 2018 0

  • Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld
    Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld

    Mar 02, 2018 0

IPM Interviews

  • Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO
    Loren Barrows: Alcorn’s New COO

    Apr 04, 2018 0

    An eight-year team member of Alcorn McBride, Barrows...
  • PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean
    PGAV Destinations & zoOceanarium: Gateway to the ocean

    Apr 04, 2018 0

    Projected opening for the new aquarium is 2019. The annual...
  • Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change
    Taylor Jeffs on Goddard Group name change

    Mar 03, 2018 0

    Taylor Jeffs speaks to InPark about The Goddard Group's...
  • Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld
    Anthony Esparza talks about his transition from SeaWorld

    Mar 02, 2018 0

    "I brought a creative spirit that connected people, and an...
  • Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Show: DEAL Makers
    Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure Show: DEAL

    Feb 14, 2018 0

    In April 2018, the Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and...
  • PGAV: The Power of “We”
    PGAV: The Power of “We”

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    Team culture is basic to the company culture of PGAV...
  • Efteling: Magic Castle
    Efteling: Magic Castle

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    "What the fantasy does to its surroundings and what it does...
  • Joe Fox: Everyday Joe
    Joe Fox: Everyday Joe

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    Joe Fox has been a familiar face behind the scenes at TEA...
  • MOTIONGATE Dubai: Dreams in motion
    MOTIONGATE Dubai: Dreams in motion

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    The DreamWorks zone lets guests choose between four highly...
  • TEA Summit: Lessons of collaboration
    TEA Summit: Lessons of collaboration

    Feb 13, 2018 0

    We asked each of the conference chairs to share a taste of...
  • JRA’s Clara Rice on the company’s 30th anniversary
    JRA’s Clara Rice on the company’s 30th...

    Dec 04, 2017 0

    JRA Director of Communications Clara Rice speaks about the...
  • Leader of the pack: IAAPA
    Leader of the pack: IAAPA

    Nov 06, 2017 0

    "I – quite frankly – want to make a difference and give...
  • Recipe for a dark ride: Jora Vision
    Recipe for a dark ride: Jora Vision

    Nov 06, 2017 0

    Today, designing and building dark rides has become one of...
  • Year of the Dog: Peanuts and Cedar Fair
    Year of the Dog: Peanuts and Cedar Fair

    Oct 24, 2017 0

    As a family-friendly IP, Peanuts offers just about...
  • PIXOMONDO’s David Garber on The 5 Spot
    PIXOMONDO’s David Garber on The 5 Spot

    Sep 05, 2017 0

    InPark speaks with PIXOMONDO's David Garber on specialty...
  • Uniquely European
    Uniquely European

    Aug 27, 2017 0

    The close relationship between vendor and client has helped...
  • Dubai Parks and Resorts: Operationally speaking
    Dubai Parks and Resorts: Operationally speaking

    Aug 27, 2017 0

    "We partnered with leading studios to create a unique...
  • IAAPA rolls out welcome mat in Berlin
    IAAPA rolls out welcome mat in Berlin

    Aug 09, 2017 0

    InPark speaks with Karen Staley, IAAPA Senior Vice...
  • The Integration of Things: InPark goes to InfoComm
    The Integration of Things: InPark goes to InfoComm

    Jul 31, 2017 0

    We put on our themed entertainment goggles and plunged into...
  • IAAPA leadership speaks out during AAE 2017
    IAAPA leadership speaks out during AAE 2017

    Jun 28, 2017 0

    PHOTO: June Ko, Paul Noland, and Wuthichai Luangamornlert...
  • IPM EXCLUSIVE: Interview with AECOM’s Brian Sands and Chris Yoshii on the 2016 Theme Index
    IPM EXCLUSIVE: Interview with AECOM’s Brian Sands and...

    Jun 12, 2017 0

    Ultimately, for a park to be successful, it must analyze...
  • Vekoma: Heavy Metal
    Vekoma: Heavy Metal

    May 30, 2017 0

    "There will always be parks that want to aim for records,...
  • Six Flags: Behind the headsets
    Six Flags: Behind the headsets

    May 30, 2017 0

    Last year, Six Flags began redefining the coaster...
  • Pirates, Treasure & WDI’s Luc Mayrand
    Pirates, Treasure & WDI’s Luc Mayrand

    May 30, 2017 0

    InPark Editor Martin Palicki sat down with Luc at the 2017...
  • CharacterZ: Costumed Entertainment on the Big Screen
    CharacterZ: Costumed Entertainment on the Big Screen

    Apr 17, 2017 0

    “Working in the industry can be dysfunctional at times,...
PLN5165_IAAPA_ORLANDO_BANNERS_INPARK_160X600

Categories

  • IPM Interviews
  • Theme Parks
  • Museums
  • Water Parks
  • Attractions
    • Haunts
    • Zoos & Aquariums
  • World markets
    • Asia
    • Europe & Middle East
    • Latin America & Mexico
    • North America
  • Technology & Media
  • Business
    • Events
    • People
  • World Expos

InPark Magazine

2349 E Ohio Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207 USA
262.412.7107
mpalicki@inparkmagazine.com

Copyright 2015 InPark Magazine / All rights reserved
Press f for fullscreen.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.