China based Alpha Group has ventured into the feature animation to develop and produce animated feature films for a global audience. The Alpha Group has launched a new Los Angeles based division to develop these features. The former executive at Disney and Paramount Pictures, Bob Bacon, has been appointed as the CEO.
The division will produce animated features for worldwide distribution and has plans to release one film every year after 2020. The first animated feature film is targeted for 2020 release.
The division will also aim to leverage the facilities and services provided by the other units of the mother company. Alpha Group recently established an L.A. based live-action feature film development company called Alpha Pictures, which is developing US-China co-productions. It also includes various projects based on the properties from the company owned Chinese comic website U17. Alpha Group also owns multiple distribution channels including kids TV network Jiajia Cartoon in Southern China.
As far as the new CEO is concerned, Bacon will oversee development, production and operations with the goal of releasing Alpha Animation’s first feature. Since Alpha Pictures probably is best known as a co-producer on The Mermaid, which turned to be a highest grosser in China, Bacon will keep up to the high standards of co-production.
Bacon recently served as the executive VP of production for Paramount Animation, where he functioned as the head of the animation division. He oversaw the production of 2015’s The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and helped develop additional films.
However, Bacon started his career at Disney Animation in 1991 and worked on a number of well acclaimed titles. Prior to Paramount, he served as a production executive for Disney’s Touchstone Pictures on the 2011 animated feature Gnomeo and Juliet.
“Animation has always been at the core of our company’s focus, and producing world-class animation is a key step of Alpha’s globalisation strategy,” said Alpha Interactive Entertainment division, CEO, Chen De Rong.