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Moving Picture Company

From Alfawiki
Moving Picture Company
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryMotion picture
Visual effects
Animation
Advertising
Television
Founded1970; 56 years ago (1970)
FounderMike Luckwell
HeadquartersParis, France
Services
ParentCarlton Communications (1983–2004)
Technicolor SA (2004–2022)
Technicolor Group (2022–2025)
TransPerfect (2025–present)
Websitewww.mpcvfx.com

The Moving Picture Company (MPC) is an international enterprise specializing in visual effects, CGI, animation, and motion design tailored for cinema, television, brand experiences, and advertising industries.

Artists at MPC have contributed to films honored with Academy Awards, including 1917, The Jungle Book (2016), and Life of Pi.

Initially based in London, MPC maintained studios across cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Toronto, Montreal, Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin, and Shanghai. After Technicolor’s dissolution, the company's headquarters relocated to Paris.

By February 2025, MPC’s parent corporation entered administration due to financial strains stemming from post-pandemic recovery challenges, a complicated corporate restructuring, and industry-wide strikes. This led to the cessation of Technicolor Group’s operations, encompassing MPC.

In March 2025, TransPerfect acquired MPC’s facilities in France and Belgium; however, the UK branches were not included in this transaction.

Founding

Established in 1970 by Mike Luckwell, MPC began its journey focusing on television commercial production. By 1978, it had ventured into video production using broadcast-standard equipment and expanded its services into video post-production. By 1983-1984, MPC had earned recognition for delivering post-production and visual effects work for both commercials and feature films.

In 1983, Luckwell sold MPC to Carlton Communications, assuming the role of managing director and becoming the largest shareholder. Following Carlton's merger with Granada to form ITV plc in 2004, MPC was sold to the French company Thomson SA (now Technicolor SA) for £52.7 million. Technicolor’s strategic objective was to develop MPC by increasing its involvement in film projects and establishing it as a premier visual effects studio by the end of that decade.

Expansion

MPC Film grew from a modest team based in London to a global workforce exceeding 3,000 employees.

In 2007, MPC inaugurated a studio in Vancouver staffed by both London-based and local professionals. This office contributed to productions such as Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, Skyscraper, Alpha, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The Vancouver location ceased operations in 2019.

During the summer of 2008, MPC launched a commercials post-production facility in Santa Monica, California, delivering work for prominent directors and high-profile Super Bowl advertisements. Around this period, MPC Digital was created to produce digital assets for online and emerging media platforms, while the MPC Datalab managed tapeless HD workflows.

After operating eight years in Santa Monica, MPC moved to a larger 25,000-square-foot studio in Culver City, California. This expanded location enhanced creative offerings including concept design, visualization, business development, virtual production, and VFX supervision. Through MPC Advertising, specialized VFX, color grading, and finishing services are provided. Additionally, the studio supports VR/AR content creation via its division MPC Creative.

The Bangalore branch opened in October 2010 as part of MPC’s international pipeline focusing on software development and production tools. However, both Bangalore and Mumbai offices were shut down in February 2025 following Technicolor’s insolvency. With TransPerfect’s acquisition of MPC’s French and Belgian studios completed, plans are underway to establish a new studio in Singapore shortly.

In early 2011, the New York City studio commenced operations in SoHo, Manhattan offering integrated services including color grading, digital design, and production tailored to US markets.

Launched in 2013, MPC Montreal has played a key role on major motion pictures such as Alien: Covenant, Blade Runner 2049, Ghost in the Shell, The Greatest Showman, The Revenant, and The Martian. The Montreal studio received an Academy Award nomination for its visual effects work on X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Enduring Partnerships

Throughout more than five decades, MPC Film has collaborated with esteemed directors and visual effects supervisors such as Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, Zack Snyder, Jon Favreau, David Yates, and Kenneth Branagh.

Ridley Scott worked alongside MPC on titles including Robin Hood, Prometheus, and The Martian, with the latter receiving nominations from the Academy Awards, BAFTA, and VES.

For the 2016 adaptation of The Jungle Book directed by Jon Favreau, a team exceeding 800 CGI artists spent over a year creating 224 distinct animal models and fully digital environments. This effort involved developing proprietary software to realistically simulate musculature, skin, fur, and animal behaviors. MPC also played a key role in Disney’s 2019 Lion King, with VFX supervisors Adam Valdez and Elliot Newman leading the visual effects.

Since the early 2000s, Tim Burton has engaged MPC for projects such as Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dark Shadows, and Dumbo.

MPC’s collaborations with Zack Snyder include work on Watchmen, Sucker Punch, Man of Steel, Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Justice League.

Among the visual effects supervisors represented by MPC are Erik Nash, Richard Stammers, Adam Valdez, and Nick Davis.

Key sponsors frequently partnering with MPC encompass Sony, Coca-Cola, Warner Bros., Disney, HBO, Samsung, NBCUniversal, BMW, Hennessy, and Paramount Global.

Digital Human Creations

MPC's expertise in digital human creation includes projects such as the character Rachael in Blade Runner 2049 and digitally reconstructing Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 1984 appearance for the T-800 model in Terminator Genisys.

Their research facility, known as “Shadow Lab,” focuses on pioneering technologies primarily related to digital humans alongside other advanced developments.

Genesis Platform

In partnership with Technicolor's R&I team, MPC's research and development department co-created Genesis, a virtual production platform that advances their proficiency in state-of-the-art visual effects technology.

Awards and Honors

MPC has garnered prestigious industry accolades including three Academy Awards for 1917, The Jungle Book, and Life of Pi. The company also received three BAFTA Awards recognizing work on 1917, The Jungle Book, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. Additionally, numerous VES Awards have been awarded for efforts on projects like The Lion King, The Jungle Book, The Lone Ranger, Life of Pi, and Kingdom of Heaven.

Awards and nominations
Year Project Award Category Outcome
2022 Prehistoric Planet Televisual Bulldog Award Best Visual Effects Template:Won
Broadcast Tech Best Visual Effects Template:Won
Finch VES Award Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature Template:Won
Nope Concept Art Award Live-Action Feature Film: Creature Template:Won
Ghostbusters Afterlife BAFTA Best Special Visual Effects Template:Nominated
Nightmare Alley VES Award Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects Template:Nominated
Vikings: Valhalla Emmy Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects Template:Nominated
The Last Duel VES Award Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects Template:Nominated
The Signal Canadian Screen Award Best Visual Effects Template:Nominated
2021 The One and Only Ivan Academy Award Best Visual Effects Template:Nominated
BAFTA Award Best Special Visual Effects Template:Nominated
VES Award Outstanding Animated Character in a Photoreal Feature Template:Won
Underwater VES Award Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture Template:Nominated
2020 The One and Only Ivan 'HPA Award' 'Best Visual Effects' 'Template:Won'
1917 'Academy Awards' 'Best Visual Effects' 'Template:Won'
1917 'British Academy Film Awards' 'Best Special Visual Effects' 'Template:Won'
The Lion King 'Academy Awards' 'Best Visual Effects' 'Template:Nominated'
The Lion King 'British Academy Film Awards' 'Best Special Visual Effects' 'Template:Nominated'
'AEAF Award' 'Best Visual Effects' 'Template:Won'
'Visual Effects Society' 'Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal feature' 'Template:Won'
'Visual Effects Society' 'Outstanding Created Environment in a Photoreal feature' 'Template:Won'
'Visual Effects Society' 'Outstanding Effects Simulations in a Photoreal feature' 'Template:Nominated'


1980s and 1990s

Year Title Production Company(ies) and Distributor(s)
1987 Out of Order Not Available
1995 Richard III United Artists
Bayly/Paré Productions
British Screen
First Look International
Hackers United Artists
MGM/UA Distribution Co.
GoldenEye United Artists
MGM/UA Distribution Co.
Eon Productions
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Walt Disney Pictures
Jim Henson Productions
Brassed Off Miramax Films
Prominent Features
Film4 Productions
Hamlet Columbia Pictures
Castle Rock Entertainment
1997 Roseanna's Grave Fine Line Features
Spelling Films
Warner Bros. (US)
PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (International)
The Borrowers PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Working Title Films
Tomorrow Never Dies United Artists
MGM/UA Distribution Co.
Eon Productions
1998 The Mask of Zorro TriStar Pictures
Amblin Entertainment
1999 The World Is Not Enough MGM/UA Distribution Co.
Eon Productions

2000s

Year Title Production Company(ies) and Distributor(s)
2000 High Fidelity Touchstone Pictures
Working Title Films
Dogstar Films
New Crime Productions
The Miracle Maker Icon Entertainment International
Christmas Films
S4C
BBC Films
Icon Film Distribution (UK)
Circus Columbia Pictures
Circus Pictures
Film Development Corporation
Snatch Sony Pictures Releasing
(Screen Gems US; Columbia intl)
2001 Enemy at the Gates Paramount Pictures (US)
Pathé Distribution (France/UK)
Constantin Film (Germany)
Mandalay Pictures
Repérage Films
Disco Pigs Renaissance Films
Late Night Shopping SMG Productions
Scottish Screen
Glasgow Film Office
Film4 Productions
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Paramount Pictures
Mutual Film Company
Lawrence Gordon Productions
Eidos Interactive
High Heels and Low Lifes (Touchstone Pictures)
Fragile Films
Buena Vista Pictures
Kiss Kiss (Bang Bang) D'Vision
Europa Filmes
GAGA Communications
Millennium Storm
The Emperor's New Clothes (FilmFour)
Redwave Films
Rai Cinema
Senator Film
Panorama Films
Mikado Film
Gabriel & Me (Pathé)
British Screen Productions
FilmFour Productions
Samuelson Films
UK Film Council
Isle of Man Film Commission
The Film Consortium
'Crush' (FilmFour)
UK Film Council
Senator Film (Germany)
Industry Entertainment
Pipedream Pictures
Sony Pictures Classics (US)
'Dust' (Pathé)
Highlight Film
The Film Consortium
Fandango (Italy)
Shadow Films
South Fork Pictures
'Mike Bassett: England Manager' (Entertainment Film Distributors)
Artists Independent Productions
Film Council
Hallmark Entertainment
'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures
2002' 'Ali G Indahouse' 'Universal Pictures'
'Working Title Films'
'StudioCanal'
'Baby Cow Productions'
'The Abduction Club' 'Pathé'
'The Adventures of Pluto Nash' 'Warner Bros. Pictures'
'Castle Rock Entertainment'
'Village Roadshow Pictures'
'Doctor Sleep' 'BBC Films'
'The Heart of Me' 'Paramount Pictures'
'BBC Films'
'28 Days Later' 'Fox Searchlight Pictures'
'DNA Films'
'UK Film Council'
'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' 'Warner Bros. Pictures'
'Heyday Films'
'1492 Pictures'
'Die Another Day' 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer'
'Eon Productions'
'20th Century Fox' (International)
'Dot the i' 'Summit Entertainment' (US)
'Momentum Pictures' (UK)
'Hispano Foxfilm' (Spain)'
2003' 'The Gathering' 'Dimension Films'
'Ned Kelly' 'Universal Pictures'
'StudioCanal'
'Working Title Films'
'Australian Film Commission'
'Film Finance Corporation Australia'
The Woss Group, Endymion Films
'Octane' 'Four Horseman Films, Random Harvest'
'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life' 'Paramount Pictures'
'Mutual Film Company'
'BBC Films'
'Tele München Gruppe'
'Toho-Towa'
'Lawrence Gordon Productions'
Eidos Interactive
'Calendar Girls' 'Touchstone Pictures, Harbour Pictures'
'The Medallion' 'TriStar Pictures, Screen Gems'
'Blackball' 'Icon Entertainment International'
'Cheeky' 'Not Available'
'Sylvia' 'BBC Films, UK Film Council, Capitol Films, Ruby Films, Icon Film Distribution (UK), Focus Features (US)'
'Big Fish' 'Columbia Pictures, Jinks/Cohen Company, The Zanuck Company'
2004' 'Suzie Gold' 'Pathé'
'Wimbledon' 'Universal Pictures, StudioCanal, Working Title Films, Mars Distribution (France)'
'Ella Enchanted' 'Miramax Films, Blessington Film Productions, Jane Startz Productions'
'Stage Beauty' 'Lions Gate Films, Qwerty Films, TriBeCa Productions, Ni European Film Produktions-GmbH & Co. KG, BBC Films'
'Troy' 'Warner Bros. Pictures, Helena Productions, Latina Pictures, Radiant Productions, Plan B Entertainment, Nimar Studios'
'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' 'Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films, 1492 Pictures'
'Around the World in 80 Days' 'Walt Disney Pictures (US), Walden Media, Spanknyce Films, Mostow/Lieberman Productions, Entertainment Film Distributors (UK)'
'Alien vs. Predator' '20th Century Fox, Davis Entertainment, Brandywine Productions, Impact Pictures, Stillking Films'
'Alexander' (Warner Bros. US/UK/Italy), Constantin Film (Germany), Pathé Distribution (France), A-Film Distribution (Netherlands), Summit Entertainment (International), Intermedia Films, Ixtlan Productions, France 3 Cinéma, Pacific Film, Egmond Film & Television, IMF Internationale Medien und Film GmbH & Co.

...continued with emphasis on major collaborations with studios and notable franchises such as Harry Potter and James Bond series for subsequent years.

2010s

Year Films Production Companies and Distributors
2010 Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 20th Century Fox
Fox 2000 Pictures
1492 Pictures
Sunswept Entertainment
Dune Entertainment
The Wolfman Universal Pictures
Relativity Media
Stuber Pictures
Clash of the Titans Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
The Zanuck Company
Thunder Road Pictures
Robin Hood Universal Pictures
Imagine Entertainment
Relativity Media
Scott Free Productions
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Walt Disney Pictures
Jerry Bruckheimer Films
The A-Team 20th Century Fox
Dune Entertainment
Top Cow Productions
Scott Free Productions
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Warner Bros. Pictures
Heyday Films
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 20th Century Fox
Walden Media
2011 Source Code Summit Entertainment
The Mark Gordon Company
Vendôme Pictures
Fast Five Universal Pictures
Original Film
One Race Films
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Walt Disney Pictures
Jerry Bruckheimer Films
X-Men: First Class 20th Century Fox
Marvel Entertainment
The Donners' Company
Bad Hat Harry Productions
Dune Entertainment
Ingenious Film Partners
Sucker Punch Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
Cruel and Unusual Films
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Warner Bros. Pictures
Heyday Films
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures
Silver Pictures
Wigram Productions
2012 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Warner Bros. Pictures
New Line Cinema
Walden Media
Contrafilm
John Carter Walt Disney Pictures
Wrath of the Titans Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
Thunder Road Pictures
Cott Productions
Furia de Titanes II A.I.E.
Dark Shadows Warner Bros. Pictures
Village Roadshow Pictures
Infinitum Nihil
GK Films
The Zanuck Company
Prometheus '20th Century Fox'
'Scott Free Productions'
'Brandywine Productions'
'Dune Entertainment'
Total Recall (Columbia Pictures)
Original Film
Skyfall (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Eon Productions
Columbia Pictures
Life of Pi (20th Century Fox)
Fox 2000 Pictures
Dune Entertainment
Ingenious Media
Haishang Films


2020s

Year Films Studio(s) and Distributor(s)
2020 Underwater 20th Century Fox
Chernin Entertainment
Dolittle Universal Pictures
Perfect World Pictures
Roth Films
Team Downey Productions
Sonic the Hedgehog Paramount Pictures
Sega Sammy Group
Original Film
Marza Animation Planet
Blur Studio
The Call of the Wild 20th Century Studios
3 Arts Entertainment
The New Mutants 20th Century Studios
Marvel Entertainment
Kinberg Genre
Sunswept Entertainment
Artemis Fowl Walt Disney Pictures
Disney+
TriBeCa Productions
Marzano Films
Love and Monsters Paramount Pictures (US)
Netflix (International)
21 Laps Entertainment
Entertainment One
The One and Only Ivan Walt Disney Pictures
Disney+
Jolie Pas Productions
2021 Godzilla vs. Kong Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
Toho
Cruella Walt Disney Pictures
Disney+
Marc Platt Productions
Gunn Films
In the Heights Warner Bros. Pictures
5000 Broadway Productions
Barrio Grrrl! Productions
Likely Story
SGS Pictures
Endeavor Content
Dune Warner Bros. Pictures
Legendary Pictures
The Last Duel 20th Century Studios
Scott Free Productions
Pearl Street Films
Clifford the Big Red Dog Paramount Pictures
Entertainment One
New Republic Pictures
Kerner Entertainment
Scholastic Entertainment
Ghostbusters: Afterlife Columbia Pictures
Bron Creative
Ghost Corps
Montecito Picture Company
Right of Way Films
House of Gucci Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Bron Creative
Scott Free Productions
United Artists Releasing (US)
Universal Pictures (International)
West Side Story 20th Century Studios
Amblin Entertainment
Spider-Man: No Way Home Columbia Pictures
Marvel Studios
Pascal Pictures
2022 RRR Pen Studios (North India)
Lyca Productions (Tamil Nadu)
KVN Productions (Karnataka)
HR Pictures (Kerala)
Variance Films
Sarigama Cinemas (US)
DVV Entertainment
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Paramount Pictures
Sega Sammy Group
Original Film
Marza Animation Planet
Blur Studio
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers Walt Disney Pictures
Disney+
Mandeville Films
Top Gun: Maverick Paramount Pictures
Skydance Media
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
The Princess 20th Century Studios
Original Film
Hulu (US)
Disney+ (International)
Nope Universal Pictures
Monkeypaw Productions
Thirteen Lives Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Bron Creative
Imagine Entertainment
Magnolia Mae
Storyteller Productions
United Artists Releasing
Amazon Studios
Prey 20th Century Studios
Davis Entertainment
Lawrence Gordon Productions
Hulu (US)
Star+ (Latin America)
Disney+ (International)
Secret Headquarters Paramount Pictures
Paramount+
Jerry Bruckheimer Films
' ' Hocus Pocus 2 ' ' Walt Disney Pictures < br /> Disney + < br /> David Kirschner Productions
' ' Amsterdam(2022 film) ' ' 20th Century Studios < br /> Regency Enterprises < br /> New Regency < br /> DreamCrew < br /> Keep Your Head < br /> Corazon Hayagriva
' ' Disenchanted(film) ' ' Walt Disney Pictures < br /> Disney + < br /> Josephson Entertainment < br /> Andalasia Productions < br /> Right Coast Productions
' ' Bhediya(film) ' ' Maddock Films < br /> Jio Studios
' ' Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio ' ' Netflix < br /> Netflix Animation < br /> The Jim Henson Company < br /> Pathé < br /> ShadowMachine < br /> Double Dare You Productions < br /> Necropia Entertainment < br /> El Taller del Chucho
' ' Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths ' ' Netflix < br /> M Productions < br /> Redrum
' ' The Pale Blue Eye ' ' Netflix < br /> Cross Creek Pictures < br /> Streamline Global Group < br /> Le Grisbi Productions
2023 ' ' Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania ' ' Marvel Studios < br /> Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
' ' Murder Mystery 2 ' ' Happy Madison Productions < br /> Echo Films < br /> Mythology Entertainment < br /> Vinson Films < br /> Endgame Entertainment < br /> Netflix
' ' Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves ' ' Paramount Pictures < br /> Entertainment One < br /> Wizards of the Coast
' ' Chupa(film) ' ' 26th Street Pictures < br /> Netflix
' ' Crater(film) ' ' Walt Disney Pictures < br /> Disney + < br /> 21 Laps Entertainment
' ' The Little Mermaid(2023 film) ' ' Walt Disney Pictures < br /> Lucamar Productions < br /> Marc Platt Productions < br /> 5000 Broadway Productions
' ' Transformers: Rise of the Beasts ' ' Paramount Pictures < br /> Skydance Media < br /> Entertainment One < br /> New Republic Pictures < br /> Di Bonaventura Pictures < br /> Bay Films
' ' The Last Voyage of the Demeter ' ' Universal Pictures < br /> DreamWorks Pictures < br /> Reliance Entertainment < br /> Storyworks Productions < br /> Studio Babelsberg < br /> Phoenix Pictures < br /> Wise Owl Media
' ' Strays(2023 film) ' ' Universal Pictures < br /> Picturestart < br /> Rabbit Hole Productions < br /> Lord Miller Productions
' ' Landscape with Invisible Hand ' ' Plan B Entertainment < br /> Annapurna Pictures < br /> Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
' ' The Nun II ' ' Warner Bros. Pictures < br /> New Line Cinema < br /> The Safran Company < br /> Atomic Monster
' ' Leo(2023 Indian film) ' ' Seven Screen Studio
' ' The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes ' ' Lionsgate Films < br /> Color Force < br /> Good Universe
' ' Napoleon(2023 film) ' ' Apple Studios < br /> Columbia Pictures < br /> Scott Free Productions
' ' Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ' ' Warner Bros. Pictures < br /> DC Studios
' ' Ferrari(2023 film) Neon ] ] [ [ STX Entertainment | STXfilms ] ]
" " Argylle Marv Studios | Cloudy Productions | Universal Pictures
Tango Entertainment | Netflix
Legendary Pictures
Safehouse Pictures | ASAP Entertainment | Nuyorican Productions | Berlanti-Schechter Films
AA Films | Annapurna Studios | Sri Lakshmi Movies | Wayfarer Films | KVN Productions
DreamWorks Pictures | Automatik Entertainment | Six Foot Turkey Productions
Red Giant Movies
" " Ad Vitam company
Pastel Productions
Marvel Entertainment | Arad Productions | Matt Tolmach Productions
" Back in Action(2025 film) Chernin Entertainment | Exhibit A | Good One
Lyca Productions
Marc Platt Productions
Rideback production company
Skydance Media


Television series

Music videos

See also

External links