Business

SDI Media, IMAGICA Lab Open New Tokyo Dubbing Studio

Entertainment localization provider SDI Media has teamed up with fellow IMAGICA Group subsidiary IMAGICA Lab — Japan’s largest post-production facility — to open a new dubbing studio in Tokyo, the companies announced Feb. 18.

Lip sync dubbing, audio mixing up to 7.1. channels, support for Dolby Atmos and more are now available in the five rooms of the dubbing facility. In addition to one large- and three medium-sized hybrid mixing and automated dialog replacement (ADR) rooms, the new facility — IMAGICA SDI Studio — includes a room dedicated to mixing content for Dolby Atmos content.

The rooms have also been designed to accommodate both Japanese-style dubbing (multiple actors) and Western-style dubbing, the companies announced.

“We are so proud to be launching our new dubbing services in Tokyo, continuing our long commitment to having owned and operated studios in the Asian market,” said Mark Howorth, CEO of SDI Media. “The Japanese dubbing industry has a long and respected history, but demand has grown in line with industry trends. [Facility GM Hitoshi Nozu] has created an impressive studio and has recruited some of the top names in Japanese dubbing.

“Our global clients have requested more capacity in Japan and I think they will be very impressed with what we have built.”

Nozu has spent 16 years at IMAGICA Lab and three years at SDI Media in the U.S., and is accompanied by studio director Hiroshi Urago — an 18-year veteran at AC Create — in the endeavor. They’ll be supported by a team of 16 producers and mixing engineers, all with experience at Tokyo’s existing studios.

“IMAGICA Group has a long and rich history in the media and entertainment business, with roots as a film company in Japan dating back to the 1930s,” Nozu said. “This history includes serving leading filmmakers and creatives in all aspects of post-production. Our current dubbing studio at IMAGICA Lab was built in 2017 and is NP3 certified. Now extending our language localization services to these large new studios is the perfect addition to our portfolio.”

IMAGICA SDI Studios is 51% owned by IMAGICA Lab and 49% owned by SDI Media. The facility is currently being booked for 2020.