Los Angeles, CA –
SIM Digital announced today that it has acquired the finishing division of Master Key, a Los Angeles-based post-production house. The acquisition comes on the heel of last week’s announcement of the company’s name change from Sim Video to SIM Digital.
Known primarily as a camera rental house, the company made headlines when it acquired Bling Digital in 2009 to bolster its off-line editorial business and add file-based digital dailies to its range of services. Explained SIM Chief Strategy Officer, James Martin, “With both the Master Key and Bling Digital acquisitions, SIM places itself in a position where we can offer our clients a complete package of services, from the camera all the way to a color-corrected master for broadcast.”
As part of the deal, Master Key co-owner, Elan Dassani, will join SIM Digital as its new Vice-President of Bling Finishing Services. Also joining the SIM Digital team will be renowned colorist, Chris Jacobson as the company’s new Vice President of Creative Services.
“We looked hard at the existing post business models out there, and merging with a progressive company like SIM Digital made complete sense to us,” said Dassani. “Our clients can now work with a company that can handle all of its production and post production needs, resulting in greater cost incentives.”
That sentiment is echoed by John DeBoer, COO of SIM Digital: “With SIM Digital and our Bling Digital division, we currently supply camera, on-set data management, digital dailies [with a high-speed data-pipeline to remote editorial staff], Avid and FCP system rentals and now, with the acquisition of Master Key, conform and color-correction services – one company handling all the data from beginning to end,”
SIM Digital CEO, Rob Sim noted, “This is a very exciting time for our company. In August, our CTO, Chris Parker will move to our Los Angeles office to oversee and manage our post services division with Elan. I’m very proud of our company as it continues to re-invent itself to create better workflow models for our clients in a constantly changing digital environment.”
The new finishing division will be located at the company’s Los Angeles facility in Hollywood. SIM Digital will promote this recent acquisition at Cine Gear. SIM Digital will host an after-show party during Cine Gear, on June 2nd, at their Hollywood location.
About SIM Digital:
With offices across Canada, the USA and China, SIM Digital is a world class rental facility specializing in digital production equipment and workflow services. SIM offers one of the largest and most diverse inventories of the latest digital cinematography tools from top manufacturers including ARRI, Sony, RED, Panasonic, Canon, Fujinon, Angenieux, Zeiss, Cooke. The company’s services continue to grow through its highly innovative Bling Digital division which offers expert workflow solutions including on-set data management, video assist, digital dailies, LTO tape archiving and post-production equipment for digitally acquired productions.
About Master Key:
Master Key Post is a boutique facility offering expert post and finishing services. The company boasts a specialized staff, high-end editorial rooms and a state-of-the-art coloring bay to provide services including conform, color, titling, and mastering.
