Sony to expand visual effects and digital animation studio in Yaletown

Sony is expanding its Vancouver visual effects and digital animation studio, less than two years after setting up shop.

The company says it will double its space in Yaletown by March, leasing a second location of 16,000 square feet, just two blocks from its current offices. Sony says more than 100 jobs will be added.

The Vancouver operation is connected to the Sony Imageworks main studio in Culver City, California. The company says the local studios will do visual effects for Men in Black 3, The Amazing Spider-Man, Oz the Great and Powerful, and the animated feature Hotel Translvania.

Sony Imageworks VP of Satellite Production Rick Mischel notes the Vancouver studio mirrors the home base, with video conferencing, large-screen viewing suites and data transfer.