Unveiling Our Expanded Studio: Cause and FX’s New State-of-the-Art Facility Upgrade
AUGUST 25 2024
It’s been an exciting time here at Cause and FX as we unveil our newly expanded and upgraded studio in Auckland. If you’ve been following our journey, you’ll know we’re always pushing to take things to the next level—and this renovation is no exception. This significant investment underscores our commitment to fostering creativity, enhancing collaboration, and providing the best possible resources for our growing team of talented crew.
A Testament to Sustained Growth
This upgrade isn’t just about adding more space; it’s a testament to how far we’ve come as a team. We’ve grown, taken on bigger and bolder projects, and with that, our need for an upgraded facility became clear. Since 2011, we’ve been building a sterling reputation for delivering excellent work on high-profile international projects, earning the trust of major studios and filmmakers worldwide.
From the initial idea to the last coat of paint, this renovation was all about enhancing our ability to create top-tier VFX and making our work environment even more collaborative and inspiring. Greg Flannagan and Paul Dickson, co-founders of Cause, both agree, “Our success is rooted in the exceptional talent and dedication of our team. This facility upgrade is not just about having the latest technology; it’s about creating an environment that inspires creativity and fosters the close-knit, supportive culture that has been key to our success.”
State-of-the-Art Facilities
So, what’s new? The centrepiece of the renovation is a cutting-edge review theatre designed to seamlessly service both in-person and remote collaborative reviews. This additional hybrid review suite ensures we can maintain our high standards of quality and communication on even more projects, whether clients and team members are on-site or working from different parts of the globe.
The production floor has been completely redesigned with a focus on artist comfort and productivity. The new layout features new meeting rooms, break-out areas, custom lighting, ergonomic in-studio desks and boasts a total capacity of 120 hybrid/remote artist workstations, allowing for flexible working arrangements that cater to the diverse needs of our team.
Powering this creative hub is a newly installed machine room and data centre, featuring an optimised XPU render farm to service the dynamic render requirements of our Unreal, Houdini and Nuke core tool sets. This significant boost in computing power enables our team to tackle even the most complex and demanding visual effects challenges with ease.
We know the critical nature of data security in the film industry. All facility access is biometrically controlled and our secure reception area ensures our facility meets and exceeds the stringent security requirements of major studios and production companies.
A Place Where Creativity Thrives
Work-life balance is a biggie for us, so the renovation includes a thoughtfully designed rest and recreation area. This space features a covered outdoor patio and dining area, providing staff with a comfortable environment to relax, recharge, and connect—a treasured part of our Cause and FX culture.
Our new space fosters the creativity that our team thrives on. Open collaboration areas, plenty of natural light, and a layout that encourages movement and interaction—it’s all part of making Cause and FX not just a place to work, but a place to create.
For added convenience, the Auckland facility offers onsite parking for both staff and visitors, making the commute and client visits hassle-free.
Looking Ahead
The success and growth of Cause and FX are intrinsically linked to the extensive and diverse pool of VFX talent in New Zealand. We’ve long been a company championing local artists, providing opportunities for experienced professionals and emerging talent to contribute to world-class projects.
“What sets us apart is not just our technical capabilities, but the close-knit, supportive community we’ve built,” explains Lisa Yeardley, People and Culture Manager at Cause and FX. “Our team’s camaraderie and collaborative spirit are reflected in the quality of our work, and this new facility is designed to nurture that unique culture.”
This upgrade isn’t just for us—it’s for our creative partners, who trust us to bring your visions to life. Our enhanced studio facility means we can continue to push boundaries, take on more complex projects, and deliver top-notch results, all while maintaining the collaborative, fun, and innovative spirit that defines Cause and FX.
If you’re curious about our new setup or want to chat about how we can bring your next project to life, get in touch. We’d love to give you the grand tour—virtually or otherwise!
