The filmmaker’s special effects company Weta Digital is launching an an animation division.
Weta Animated will work alongside Weta Digital’s visual effects business for the film and television industry and will begin producing original content for the first time in its 25-year history. Akkaraju co-founded technology services company SR Labs with Sean Parker and still serves as executive chairman. SR Labs is a technology company which aims to streamline traditional distribution to theaters and consumers. Akkaraju is an inventor on 11 domestic and 25 global utility technology patents related to SR Labs’ architecture. Prior to SR Labs, Akkaraju was the chief content officer of SFX Entertainment.
The announcement comes nine months after Parker — the co-founder of Napster and the founding president of Facebook —announced a “significant” investment in Weta Digital. The company announced Thursday that Parker has joined the company’s board as vice chairman.