Backed by an investment from Malaysian company Rhizophora Ventures, UK-based The Imaginarium Studios has expanded with the creation of The Imaginarium Studios Asia-Pacific.

Using the latest in performance-capture technology (the technical process used to translate an actor’s performance into a digital character), the new studio in Johor, Malaysia will serve as a content creation hub, offering its services to the Asian and Australasian markets.

In addition to creating jobs and supporting the thriving local media industry, the studio is aiming to create forward-thinking projects in gaming, film, television, music and live events, as well as introduce viewers to a new way of experiencing art.

With several projects in its pipeline, The Imaginarium Studios Asia-Pacific will open up for business in May. Staff from The Imaginarium Studio’s London HQ will initially provide training for Malaysian technical artists, who will offer their services in post-production from a temporary base at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios. Construction of the new performance capture studio is expected to be completed in late 2017.

Co-founded in London by film producer Jonathan Cavendish and actor/director Andy Serkis in 2011, The Imaginarium Studios is best known for using performance-capture technology to create iconic characters such as Gollum (pictured) from The Lord of the Rings, Caesar in Planet of the Apes and Commander Stoke in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.