Rainmaker Signs Wilson Tang To First-Look Producing Deal

Rainmaker Entertainment (TSX:RNK) has signed Wilson Tang, whose credits include Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, Steven Spielberg's A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and Ang Lee's The Hulk, to a first-look producing deal for developing and directing animated digital features and content.

Press Release from Rainmaker Entertainment

VANCOUVER, BC  July 29, 2010 – Rainmaker Entertainment (TSX:RNK) has signed Wilson Tang, whose credits include Star Wars Episode 2: Attack of the Clones, Steven Spielberg's A.I.: Artificial Intelligence, and Ang Lee's The Hulk, to a first-look producing deal for developing and directing animated digital features and content.  Tang’s agreement marks the beginning of a new effort to establish a team of top animation directors, producers and storytellers as Rainmaker expands from its work-for-hire business to the creation, development and production of its own proprietary properties.

The announcement was made today by Catherine Winder, President and Executive Producer of Rainmaker Entertainment.

“Wilson Tang has earned his reputation as an entertainment visionary, creating compelling stories, worlds and experiences for some of the biggest entertainment properties in both film and video games,” said Winder.  “I’m pleased he’s on board as Rainmaker concludes its first in-house production deal.  Having a top-notched creative team is an important part of our strategy to develop and produce our own properties. Wilson will be leading us down a new and exciting creative path.” Tang said:  “Catherine is bringing a new creative vision and energy to Rainmaker Entertainment and it is an honor to be a part of this creative renaissance at the studio.  The opportunity to continue the tradition of innovative visuals coupled with a renewed focus on timeless story-telling is inspiring.  I look forward to further partnering with the extremely talented folks at Rainmaker to bring my ideas to life.”

Tang recently led the new Rainmaker creative team to produce and direct a compelling animated short film for the Canadian Pavilion at the 2010 World’s Fair in Shanghai, China.  The theme for the six-month long exposition, "Better City – Better Life," complemented by the Canada Pavilion theme of "The Living City: Inclusive, Sustainable and Creative," served as the inspiration for Rainmaker Entertainment's short film, in a unique style described by Tang as “Hand-made Computer Graphics Animation.”  The result was an engaging and poetic story of a young boy’s journey through the world of his own imagination.

Tang comes to Rainmaker from Electronic Arts Canada, where he has served as Senior Art Director and Franchise Creative Director.  During his time with the studio, Tang oversaw the creative direction on the art, story, branding, and marketing of the AAA franchise, Need For Speed, as well as the development of new content and IPs.

Prior to Electronic Arts, he was the Visual Effects Art Director for George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) for seven years. At ILM, Tang's work on The Hulk was nominated for Best Visual Effects by the Visual Effects Society in 2003.  During preproduction on A.I. Artificial Intelligence in 2001, Tang pioneered the use of game engines for use in real-time pre-visualization for films.  The technique was used by Steven Spielberg.

Tang was also one of the original founders of The Embassy VFX in Vancouver, Canada, where he co-directed and production designed two commercials for Toyota Scion.

Rainmaker Entertainment Inc., a multifaceted animation studio, is one of Canada’s largest producers of CG animation.  With an innovative history that spans over 15 years, Rainmaker today continues to tell engaging stories and create compelling characters for all media.  The studio’s 200 creatively-inspired artists and storytellers are currently in development on the company’s first slate of proprietary projects.  Originally established as Mainframe Entertainment, the company broke ground by producing the first ever CGI animation series ReBoot.  In addition to developing its own properties, Rainmaker also produces feature length DVD’s for many top international brands including Barbie, Max Steele and Tony Hawk, and more.  Rainmaker’s clients include Mattel, The Weinstein Company, Lionsgate, Sony, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts and MTV.  For more information, go to www.rainmaker.com.

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