THE LAB SYDNEY RESTRUCTURES

The Lab Sydney, market leader in post production for film, television & commercial projects, today announced details of their future growth and expansion plans with the establishment of a new creative studio and the implementation of an exciting new business strategy. The changes at the Lab are being spearheaded by Omnilab Media’s Executive Director Lewis Pullen (above) who, in conjunction with the Lab’s senior management team, devised the new strategy.
Says Pullen: “At the Lab we have re-invented ourselves as an innovative creative studio to meet the changing needs of our advertising, entertainment and corporate clients.”
According to Lab Client Account Director Michael Eder, the announcement is the result of many months development and planning. Eder commented, “We recently announced the first phase of our new strategy with the addition of Alan Hansen to head our multi-million dollar digital grading facilities and Eric Schaechter joining our compositing team from Europe. We have also had Peter Richie grading at the facility, after he joined Omnilab Media in September.”
Eder’s sales role at the Lab has expanded. He said, “l am now looking after agency sales for Sydney and Brisbane, where we have set up our new facility ‘the Lab@360’ and we have appointed Tony Cole (formerly Animal Logic, Sydney) there as our head of 2D.”
As part of the strategy there are several personnel taking up key new positions at the Lab Sydney. The first is Prue Fletcher (Thunderstruck, Seven Swords, Flying Daggers, Love My Way, The UpSide Down Show) in her role as Senior Longform Producer. Fletcher, a major film and TV industry heavyweight with 21 years experience, will work with both international and Australian producers, directors and post supervisors. Commenting on the new strategy, she said, “This is the most exciting time I have ever been part of at the Lab. There are so many positive changes being implemented and our clients are very much welcoming them.”
Post production manager Phil Watts will focus on managing the post production operation and implementing all aspects of the strategy, including the Lab’s new digital grading infrastructure. During his eighteen years in the industry, Watts has seen the post landscape change dramatically. “The Lab is moving with the times and staying ahead of the game.” He said, “We have a clear goal to build the best talent team in the business in colour grading, 2D, 3D, design and interactive/digital media. Our team of colourists and compositors have four telecine chains and seven of the latest Smoke, Inferno and Flame suites to work with. With digital grading, our facilities are second to none.”
The senior team also includes creative director, Garry Jacques who will lead the new creative studio at the Lab. Jacques said “We offer our clients a boutique service with all the benefits of major company backing. The team in the studio work to produce the very best creative support and solutions for advertising agencies and production companies. The creative studio also supports design work in longform such as title design and branding. This is something that clients have been asking for and we are delighted to be able to offer it.”
Adds Pullen: “The new creative studio was inspired by the successful Oktobor model in New Zealand and lessons learnt from servicing our clients at iloura and Digital Pictures in Melbourne. Together with the improved structure, this forms the heart of our new strategy. There will be other announcements and more investments to come as our goal is to constantly refresh and keep growing.”