Digital Domain Signals Bold Future at First Global & Greater China Strategy Press Conference "Seeing the Next Big Bang"

Digital Domain Signals Bold Future at First Global & Greater China Strategy Press Conference "Seeing the Next Big Bang"

Reveals New Hardware, Next-Generation Filming & Streaming Technology as well as Major Partnerships and Content Deals for East and West

HONG KONG, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Domain Holdings Limited (the "Company" or "Digital Domain"; SEHK stock code: 547), creator and proprietor of visual effects content and the parent company of the award-winning visual effects company Digital Domain 3.0, today held its first Global and Greater China Strategy Conference, "Seeing the Next Big Bang", at the Beijing National Aquatics Center (better known as the "Water Cube").

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The event's opening address by Mr. Peter Chou, Chairman of the Board of Digital Domain, unveiled the blueprint for the Company's global and Greater China strategy. The management team's announcements were followed by a presentation of an array of interactive and virtual reality (VR) experiences at the venue. Hundreds of press and VIPs attended the event which showcased years of Digital Domain's groundbreaking work, linking to the future, while more than a dozen new VR experiences could be viewed on the Gear VR and Vive platforms. The guests were immersed in an evening celebrating technology, entertainment and the future of content.

The welcome address by Digital Domain Chairman, Mr. Peter Chou, featured the event's first big announcement, the Company's new and innovative Zeus super high-definition 360-degree VR camera. A constant driving force in the fast-growing VR market, Digital Domain's new flagship technology is just the start of a number of new products from the leader in visual effects, immersive experiences and interactive content. Zeus is a premium camera boasting the ability to record footage at a greater than 8k resolution at 10-bit RAW output, capturing a high frame rate of 75 fps. The camera is also capable of seamless 360-degree livestreaming at up to 4k resolution. The Zeus will be deployed immediately to live-stream a number of high-profile sporting events this summer.

"With Zeus, we're confident that Digital Domain has the best camera on the market for shooting VR and live-streaming 360-degree footage," said Mr. Chou. "Technological innovation is part of the exciting future that 'The Next Big Bang' symbolizes; the brand-new image and the greater vision for Digital Domain in its pursuit to be an industry leader in the business of virtual reality. VR is a transformative medium offering new experiences that allow individuals - regardless of time or location - to experience highly realistic immersive environments. Today's entertainment innovations increasingly revolve around VR. It would not be an exaggeration to say that VR is precipitating another Big Bang. In the Big Bang era of Digital Domain, each new innovation we bring will lead to new experiences that will wow us all."

Next, Mr. Daniel Seah, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, made the major announcement that it had partnered with DreamWorks Animation to produce VR content and experiences for the global family entertainment company's most iconic and legendary characters, including and also going beyond the worlds of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. "For over two decades, DreamWorks Animation has been entertaining audiences with some of the most original stories and beloved characters in entertainment," said Mr.Rich Flier, Managing Director of Business Development of the Company. "We are honored to be a part of bringing that great legacy to virtual reality audiences worldwide."

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Mr. Seah commented on the future strategy of Digital Domain, "Since our founding 23 years ago, our artists and innovators have followed the philosophy of bringing a revolutionary change to visual effects, thereby creating our legacy of being the best visual effects company in Hollywood. Having the best artists, passion and technology has afforded us all the key advantages and knowledge that gave us a head start in our journey in VR. We are proud of the deep experience that helped us gain the confidence of a renowned company such as DreamWorks Animation, which has endorsed Digital Domain as the best to develop VR experience for their beloved characters."

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Continuing the excitement, Mr. Victor Koo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Youku Tudou Inc., and Mr. Zhang Feng, General Manager of Shanghai Film Co., Ltd., made an appearance on stage to announce a three-year collaboration agreement between Digital Domain and Youku for the Greater China market. In this joint venture, Digital Domain will create VR content for the Greater China market though all of YouKu's owned and operated platforms. Tapping into the enormous number of YouKu's online and mobile broadcast channels, and bringing Hollywood-caliber VR technology to audiences in China, this partnership marks a VR industry-first. The two companies will also jointly develop an intellectual property rights business, as well as jointly develop 360-degree live-streaming and pre-recorded video, VR, augmented reality (AR) and immersive media experiences based on Youku's events and content.

Mr. Victor Koo said, "Virtual reality brings a revolutionary change to the video industry. We are thrilled about a long-term partnership with Digital Domain to jointly develop VR technologies as well as an IP content business. Content has always been the focus of Youku VR and we are dedicated to developing the most comprehensive VR platform via various channels, including self-production, joint-production and licensing cooperation."

Mr. Zhang Feng added, "The VR industry is booming amid the rapid development of the movie and television industry in China. The anticipated collaboration between Digital Domain and Shanghai Film represents an alliance of two major players. On the back of the large cinema circuit of Shanghai Film, and the quality VR content by Digital Domain, we look forward to promoting the rapid development of the VR movie industry in China, bringing a brand-new, exhilarating experience to our audiences."

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The stream of announcements continued with Mr. Nicholas Tse, Chairman of DDPO, introducing the business development plan for DDPO in the Greater China region with Mr. Seah. Mr. Nicholas Tse said, "The establishment of DDPO represents the best combination of the strengths of Post Production Office and Digital Domain. Moving forward, DDPO will expand its business in the areas of media, entertainment and technology in the Greater China and the Asia-Pacific regions. Cook Up a Storm, the first 4D gourmet movie in Mainland China, as well as our first project together, will be in theaters next Year. We hope all of you will love our upcoming projects. We know that they will wow you."

At the event, Digital Domain announced it would partner with renowned mainland Zhejiang Talent Television and Film Co., Ltd. and Cenic Media Shanghai Limited Company, to produce a series of original IP content and build up joint capabilities in the film, theatre, entertainment and other visual mediums.

These include the TV serial drama "Win the World"a RMB500 million co-production with Talent Film, which narrates the lifetime of the legendary first and only empress of the Qin Dynasty and was developed by the creator of the highly popular drama "The Empress of China". This set a new record for Mandarin TV production budgets while using Digital Domain's cutting-edge special effects technology to bring remarkable visual effects to the already colorful plot, setting a highly-anticipated precedent in Mandarin drama. Digital Domain and Talent Film will join hands to produce two TV dramas which are adapted from best-selling original novels, namely "Goodbye, My Princess" and "The Entangled Life of Qingluo".

Additionally, Digital Domain will partner with Cenic Media to co-produce two original IP dramas, namely "The Legends of Monkey King"and "Asunaro Hakusho". The original novel of "The Legends of Monkey King"draws from the well-known novel "Journey to the" West" in fusing Chinese mythology with the popular genres of celestial warriors and time travel, using Digital Domain's special effects technology for animation to portray the Monkey King Sun Wukong to stunning effect, in addition to other characters. "Asunaro Hakusho" breathes new life into a classic by adapting renowned manga artist Fumi Saimon's seminal work using Digital Domain's innovative technology.

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Digital Domain's Water Cube evening concluded with a starry sky projected on the stadium ceiling, as a virtual image of the legendary late diva Teresa Teng appeared on stage performing her classic song "Ye Lai Xiang", stirring nostalgia at the end of the evening. Digital Domain 3.0, the cutting-edge team of the Company, recreated the enchanting performance using virtual human technology. The other-worldly stage show displayed the magic that Digital Domain creates fusing creativity and technology, breaking the boundaries of reality, and creating endless possibilities for the future.

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About Digital Domain Holdings Limited

Digital Domain Holdings Limited ("DDHL" together with its subsidiaries, the "Group") is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (stock code: 547). DDHL is a diversified investment holding company with its operating and investment businesses spanning Hong Kong, the United States, Canada, Mainland China and other countries, encompassing businesses such as media entertainment, visual effects production, co-production of movies, property investment, and trading.

In July 2013, the Group acquired Digital Domain 3.0 Group comprising Digital Domain 3.0, Inc., Digital Domain Productions 3.0 (BC), Ltd. and Mothership Media, Inc. Digital Domain 3.0 Group has a history of over 20 years and has manifested itself as the leading digital production company that mainly engaged in the production of VFX, animations and movies. DDHL is also currently focused on building a library of live/recorded 360o content through its subsidiaries, Immersive Media Ventures, Inc. and IM360 Entertainment Inc. so as to build and grow virtual reality technology (including the 360 digital capture technology) in the mainstream media and entertainment fields.

DDHL has also strengthened its VFX and post-production services in Greater China through the acquisition of Post Production Office Limited ("PO") in April 2016. Founded by global renowned entertainment icon Mr. Nicholas Tse, PO is engaged in the provision of post-production services for films, TV shows, advertisements, mobile Apps, online games, micro-films and animations. The Group also completed the acquisition of Digital Domain 3.0's stake from Prime Focus Limited in June 2016, giving DDHL sole ownership of the visual effects house. DDHL and Prime Focus also plan to provide post production and visual effects services to the advertising, animation and virtual reality industry.

Corporate Website: www.ddhl.com

For enquiries, please contact Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia:


Beatrice
Wong Tel: (852) 2894 6373 / (852) 9732 8223

Maggie
Hui Tel: (852) 2894 6264 / (852) 6338 3852

Email: digitaldomain.hnk@hkstrategies.com
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SOURCE Digital Domain Holdings Limited

Digital Domain Holdings Limited


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