Weta Digital

Type| Public
Industry| Visual effects, CGI animation
Founded| 1993; 31 years ago (1993)
Founders| Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Jamie Selkirk
Headquarters| Wellington, New Zealand

Key people

| Peter Jackson, Prem Akkaraju (CEO), Joe Letteri
Website| www.wetafx.co.nz

Weta Digital is a digital visual effects company based in Wellington, New Zealand. It was founded by Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, and Jamie Selkirk in 1993 to produce the digital special effects for Heavenly Creatures. Weta Digital has won several Academy Awards and BAFTAs.[1]

Weta Digital is part of a number of Peter Jackson's co-owned companies in Wellington which includes Weta Productions and Park Road Post Production.

The company is named after the New Zealand wētā, one of the world's largest insects, which is also featured in the logo.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 "Toxic" workplace culture allegations
* 3 Film and television visual effects filmography
* 3.1 1990s
* 3.2 2000s
* 3.3 2010s
* 3.4 2020s
* 3.5 Upcoming
* 3.6 Television
* 3.7 Upcoming Television
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

## History

As of 2017, Weta Digital has won six Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), King Kong (2005), Avatar (2009), and The Jungle Book (2016). Weta Digital has developed several proprietary software packages to achieve groundbreaking visual effects. The scale of the battles required for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy led to the creation of MASSIVE, a program which can animate huge numbers of agents: independent characters acting according to pre-set rules.[2] To recreate 1933 New York for King Kong, Weta created CityBot, an application which could "build" the city on a shot by shot basis.[3]

Kong’s fur also required the development of new simulation and modeling software. A set of tools that combined procedural and interactive techniques added wind to the 460 billion individual strands of fur and modeled interaction with other surfaces. New shaders were written that accounted for the scattering of light from within each hair that added to the volumetric quality of the fur. Large chunks of fur were ripped out and filled in with scars, blood, and the mud of Skull Island. Each frame of fur took 2 gigabytes of data.[4]

For James Cameron's Avatar, Weta modified MASSIVE to give life to the flora and fauna on Pandora, for which the company did most of the visual effects with the four-time Academy Award winner visual effects expert, Joe Letteri,[5] under a team led by executive and producer Eileen Moran.[6]

In 2010, a texture painting application developed by Weta for Avatar called Mari has been bought by The Foundry Visionmongers.[7]

For The Adventures of Tintin (film) and Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Weta developed a new grooming system called Barbershop where users can interactively manipulate digital hair. This tool received a Sci-tech award in 2015.[8]

Recently the company has developed their motion capture technique to be able to leave studio for shooting on location, as utilized on the film Rise of the Planet of the Apes and its sequel Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.[9][10]

On June 19, 2020, Weta Digital announced that it would be producing original animation content under the name Weta Animated, was getting a Multi-year Production Deal with Sony Pictures Animation. The company also announced a new chief executive Prem Akkaraju, who comes from Los Angeles .[11]

Previous logo with a New Zealand Wētā on top of the logo.

In December 2020, Weta Digital CEO Prem Akkaraju announced additional board members including Tom Staggs, Jeff Huber and Ken Kamins. They join current board members Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Sean Parker, Prem Akkaraju and Joe Letteri.[12]

On June 17, 2021, Weta Digital announced they have partnered with Autodesk to productize Weta's proprietary tools in a cloud service for Autodesk Maya called WetaM. It will first be released in Q4 as a private beta.[13]

## "Toxic" workplace culture allegations

Beginning in September 2020, ongoing 1 News investigations into Weta Digital’s workplace culture resulted in over 40 current and former Weta Digital employees anonymously sharing accounts of “sexism, bullying and harassment.”[[14]

In their testimonies, workers identified the existence of a male-only pornographic mailing list called “Caveman,” which originated in 2002 following a company-wide tradition known as Porn Friday, and continued to circulate until 2015.[15] Several reports also alleged that the company’s IT systems required upgrades in order to accommodate the volume of pornographic content hosted on the company intranet, in addition to numerous allegations of sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, misogyny and homophobia.[16][17]

In response to these allegations, Weta owners, including Sir Peter Jackson, Dame Fran Walsh, and Chief Executive Officer Prem Akkaraju, commissioned an independent review from Miriam Dean QC, who received 80 complaints of bullying behavior, 120 complaints of inappropriate conduct and 19 complaints of sexual harassment from amongst the company’s 1,500 employees.[18][19][20] Dean put forward 17 recommendations for internal reform, including the establishment of a code of conduct, restricting the executive team, expanding the diversity and inclusion program, and reviewing the company’s pay structure.[21] The review also stipulated that the existing management systems were not sufficient to protect workers “from bullying, sexual harassment, sex discrimination and other inappropriate conduct.”[[22]

The inquiry into Weta Digital came following similar allegations against sister company Weta Workshop after current and former employees came forward with experiences of sexual harassment and bullying and alleged a toxic working environment, which prompted an independent investigation by Hive Consulting. The corresponding review was released in December 2020.[23]

## Film and television visual effects filmography

CG depiction of Gollum created by Weta Digital for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

### 1990s

Year  | Films  | Studio(s) and Distributor(s)

|
|

1994  | Heavenly Creatures[24] | Miramax Films
1995  | Forgotten Silver | TBC
1996  | Tales from the Crypt

(You, Murderer)

| Warner Bros.
The Frighteners | Universal Pictures
1997  | Contact | Warner Bros.

### 2000s

Year  | Films  | Studio(s) and Distributor(s)

|
|

2001  | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | New Line Cinema
2002  | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
2003  | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2004  | Van Helsing | Universal Studios
I, Robot | 20th Century Fox
2005  | King Kong | Universal Studios
2006  | X-Men: The Last Stand | 20th Century Fox
Eragon
2007  | Bridge to Terabithia | Walt Disney Pictures
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer | 20th Century Fox
Enchanted | Walt Disney Pictures
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep | Columbia Pictures
30 Days of Night
2008  | Jumper | 20th Century Fox
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian | Walt Disney Studios
The Day the Earth Stood Still | 20th Century Fox
2009  | District 9 | TriStar Pictures
The Lovely Bones | Paramount Pictures

DreamWorks Pictures

Avatar | 20th Century Fox

### 2010s

Year  | Films  | Studio(s) and Distributor(s)

|
|

2010  | The A-Team | 20th Century Fox
Knight and Day
Predators
Gulliver's Travels
2011  | X-Men: First Class
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn | Paramount Pictures
2012  | The Avengers | Walt Disney Studios

Paramount Pictures

Prometheus | 20th Century Fox
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey | Warner Bros.
2013  | Iron Man 3 | Walt Disney Studios

Paramount Pictures

Man of Steel | Warner Bros.
The Wolverine | 20th Century Fox
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Lionsgate
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug | Warner Bros.
2014  | Godzilla
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | 20th Century Fox
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies | Warner Bros.
What We Do in the Shadows | Paramount Pictures
2015  | Furious 7 | Universal Studios
Fantastic Four | 20th Century Fox
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 | Lionsgate
Krampus | Universal Studios
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip | 20th Century Fox
2016  | Deadpool
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice | Warner Bros.
The Jungle Book | Walt Disney Studios
Central Intelligence | Warner Bros.

Universal Studios

Independence Day: Resurgence | 20th Century Fox
Hunt for the Wilderpeople | Madman Entertainment
The BFG | Walt Disney Studios
Pete's Dragon
2017  | Spectral | Netflix
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Walt Disney Studios
Avatar Flight of Passage[25] | TBA
Wonder Woman | Warner Bros.
War for the Planet of the Apes | 20th Century Fox
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets | EuropaCorp Distribution

Lionsgate

Justice League | Warner Bros.
2018  | Maze Runner: The Death Cure | 20th Century Fox
Rampage | Warner Bros.
Avengers: Infinity War | Walt Disney Studios
Deadpool 2 | 20th Century Fox
Animal World | Enlight Pictures
Aquaman | Warner Bros.
Mortal Engines | Universal Studios
2019  | Alita: Battle Angel | 20th Century Fox
Avengers: Endgame | Walt Disney Studios
Annabelle Comes Home | Warner Bros.
Ad Astra | 20th Century Fox
Gemini Man | Paramount Pictures
Terminator: Dark Fate | 20th Century Fox

Paramount Pictures

Lady and the Tramp | Walt Disney Studios

Disney+

Jumanji: The Next Level | Columbia Pictures

### 2020s

Year  | Films  | Studio(s) and Distributor(s)

|
|

2020  | Birds of Prey | Warner Bros.
Mulan | Walt Disney Studios

Disney+

Shadow in the Cloud | Rertical Entertainment

Redbox Entertainment

The Christmas Chronicles 2 | Netflix
We Can Be Heroes
2021  | Zack Snyder's Justice League | Warner Bros.
Godzilla vs. Kong
Black Widow | Walt Disney Studios
The Tomorrow War | Amazon Studios

Paramount Pictures

Jungle Cruise | Walt Disney Studios
The Green Knight | A24
The Suicide Squad | Warner Bros.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings | Walt Disney Studios

### Upcoming

Year  | Films  | Studio(s) and Distributor(s)

|
|

2021  | Eternals | Walt Disney Studios
The King's Man | 20th Century Studios
2022  | The Batman | Warner Bros.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Avatar 2 | 20th Century Studios
2023  | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 | Walt Disney Studios
2024  | Avatar 3 | 20th Century Studios
2026  | Avatar 4
2028  | Avatar 5
2023  | The Little Mermaid | Walt Disney Studios
Untitled Planet of the Apes sequel | 20th Century Studios

### Television

Year  | Name of Television show  | Network

|
|

2017  | Game of Thrones (Season 7) | Warner Bros./HBO
2018  | Game of Thrones (Season 8)
2019  | The Umbrella Academy | Netflix
2020  | Space Force
2021  | The Falcon and the Winter Soldier | Disney+
2021  | Mr. Corman | Apple TV+
2021  | Invasion | Apple TV+

### Upcoming Television

Year  | Name of Television show  | Network

|
|

2021  | Hawkeye | Disney+
2022  | Peacemaker | HBO Max

## See also

* Weta Workshop
* Industrial Light & Magic
* Moving Picture Company (MPC)
* Animal Logic
* Blue Sky Studios
* Pacific Data Images
* Framestore
* Digital Domain
* DNEG
* Sony Pictures Imageworks
* Rhythm & Hues
* Image Engine
* Visual Works

## References

1. ↑ "Another visual effects Oscar for Weta Digital?". Wellington.scoop. http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=18885.
2. ↑ "Massive Software". Massive Software. http://www.massivesoftware.com/weta-digital-uses-massive-software-to-ape-reality-on-king-kong/.
3. ↑ "Interview with Chris White on King Kong". cgarchitect. http://www.cgarchitect.com/upclose/article1_CW.asp.
4. ↑ "Bigger and Badder: How Weta Digital Bulked Up for King Kong". Studio Daily. http://www.studiodaily.com/main/technique/casestudies/5704.html.
5. ↑ Alex Ben Block (2009-12-10). "The creatures of 'Avatar' were 15 years in the making". The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia3a7c2e70e62048d33459d19cbe990c9.
6. ↑ Barnes, Mike (2012-12-03). "Top Visual Effects Producer Eileen Moran Dies in New Zealand; Worked on 'Avatar,' 'The Hobbit'". The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/eileen-moran-visual-effects-peter-jackson-397419.
7. ↑ Mike Seymour (2010-03-29). "Exclusive: Foundry NAB Preview". fxguide. https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/exclusive_foundry_nab_preview/.
8. ↑ Mike Seymour (2015-01-29). "Barbershop at Weta: Sci-tech winner explained". fxguide. https://www.fxguide.com/fxfeatured/barbershop-at-weta-sci-tech-winner-explained/.
9. ↑ Staskiewicz, Keith. "'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes': See Andy Serkis and others go ape in this side-by-side special-effects video -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly Inc.. http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/05/20/dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-see-andy-serkis-and-others-go-ape-in-this-side-by-side-special-effects-exclusive/.
10. ↑ Danny Allen (2011-08-05). "Giz Interviews Weta Digital’s Effects Guru, Joe Letteri". Gizmondo. http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2011/08/giz-interviews-weta-digitals-visual-effects-guru-joe-letteri/.
11. ↑ Wiltshire, Laura (19 June 2020). "Weta Digital will create original content for the first time in 25 year histor". Stuff. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/121880696/weta-digital-will-create-original-content-for-the-first-time-in-25-year-history.
12. ↑ Flint, Joe. "Peter Jackson’s Special-Effects Firm Looks to Become a Content Producer". Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/peter-jacksons-special-effects-firm-looks-to-become-a-content-producer-11608201001.
13. ↑ "WETA DIGITAL PARTNERS WITH AUTODESK TO OFFER NEXT GENERATION CREATIVE CLOUD PRODUCTION PIPELINE". Weta Digital. https://www.wetafx.co.nz/articles/weta-digital-partners-with-autodesk-to-offer-next-generation-creative-cloud-production-pipeline/.
14. ↑ "'World's most beautiful toxic waste dump' - Weta Digital employees claim sexism, bullying and harassment" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/worlds-most-beautiful-toxic-waste-dump-weta-digital-employees-claim-sexism-bullying-and-harassment.
15. ↑ "'World's most beautiful toxic waste dump' - Weta Digital employees claim sexism, bullying and harassment" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/worlds-most-beautiful-toxic-waste-dump-weta-digital-employees-claim-sexism-bullying-and-harassment.
16. ↑ "'World's most beautiful toxic waste dump' - Weta Digital employees claim sexism, bullying and harassment" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/worlds-most-beautiful-toxic-waste-dump-weta-digital-employees-claim-sexism-bullying-and-harassment.
17. ↑ "'Toxic': Disturbing stories from behind the scenes at Weta Digital" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/toxic-disturbing-stories-behind-scenes-weta-digital.
18. ↑ "Independent Review of Workplace Culture for Weta Digital" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/independent-review-workplace-culture-weta-digital.
19. ↑ Witton, Bridie (18 September 2020). "Weta Digital calls in QC after sexual harassment allegations". Stuff. https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/122804210/weta-digital-calls-in-qc-after-sexual-harassment-allegations.
20. ↑ "Weta Digital commissions independent review". Radio New Zealand. 17 September 2020. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/426317/weta-digital-commissions-independent-review.
21. ↑ "Independent Review of Workplace Culture for Weta Digital" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/independent-review-workplace-culture-weta-digital.
22. ↑ "Independent Review of Workplace Culture for Weta Digital" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/independent-review-workplace-culture-weta-digital.
23. ↑ "'Toxic' culture at acclaimed Weta Workshop revealed by past and present employees" (in en-NZ). TVNZ. https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/toxic-culture-acclaimed-weta-workshop-revealed-past-and-present-employees.
24. ↑ "The Birth of Weta", 1994, "The Edge" TV series, S2E7
25. ↑ Murphy, Mekado (July 31, 2017). "Inside Avatar, the Theme Park Version". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/travel/pandora-avatar-film-disney-theme-park.html.

## External links

* Massive
* Weta Digital on IMDb
* Official Facebook page

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