iwot Studios and Framestore Launch AI-Enabled Platform for "The Wheel of Time"

Iwot Studios, the owner of the intellectual property rights to "The Wheel of Time," has partnered with visual effects company Framestore to develop an AI-enabled platform aimed at enhancing asset management across various entertainment formats. This initiative is designed to streamline collaboration on projects, addressing the challenges of producing multiple media formats simultaneously. The first intellectual property to utilize this platform will be "The Wheel of Time," which iwot is currently adapting into an animated film, a live-action movie, and a AAA video game.

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The new platform is intended to unify production environments across film, television, video games, animation, advertising, immersive experiences, social platforms, and user-generated content. According to iwot's Chief Operating Officer, Larry Mondragón, the goal is to create a “unified master definition” for brands, which would facilitate collaboration and reduce fragmentation in production processes. Mondragón emphasized that the increasing costs and high standards of quality in contemporary media production have made it essential for studios to innovate their approaches to asset management.

Variety MagazineThe Wheel of Time IP Owners Are Creating an AI-Enabled Platform for the Franchise - Reactor

Iwot Studios is actively developing three major projects based on "The Wheel of Time": a AAA open-world video game, an animated feature film, and a live-action movie directed by Kari Skogland. Mondragón noted that the traditional model of treating each project as an isolated endeavor is becoming unsustainable, as significant investments are made into each production without leveraging existing assets for future projects. This fragmentation can lead to delays in delivering content to fans, who increasingly expect to engage with their favorite franchises across multiple formats.

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The collaboration between iwot Studios and Framestore aims to address these industry-wide challenges by providing a platform that enhances efficiency and consistency in production. Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios, stated that the platform will allow "The Wheel of Time" to be accessible across various media, ensuring that fans can engage with the franchise in diverse ways while maintaining creative integrity and security.

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Larry Mondragón remarked, “The standards of a premium quality TV show are so high... it creates real friction with what a company is trying to do: save costs while trying to get product out there in the market.” He further acknowledged that the industry faces similar challenges as those encountered by iwot Studios. Rick Selvage added, “Fans shouldn’t have to wait to experience the worlds they love in the formats they want.”

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• “ Mondragón continued: “We have a number of ‘Wheel of Time’ projects in works right now.” — Larry Mondragón, COO of iwot Studios

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• “‘The Wheel of Time’ will be the first IP to benefit from the platform being developed by the JV, so ‘The Wheel of Time’ can be everywhere our fans are —film, television, video games, immersive, social platforms, and beyond. We will be able to maintain canon control, creative consistency, and security, while meeting our fans wherever they are.” — Rick Selvage, CEO of iwot Studios

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• “ Framestore CEO Mel Sullivan added: “Our award-winning technologists are experts at creating tools and platforms to accelerate production processes.” — Mel Sullivan, CEO of Framestore

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The partnership between iwot Studios and Framestore represents a significant step towards modernizing the production landscape for entertainment franchises. By leveraging AI technology, the joint venture aims to create a more cohesive and efficient approach to managing intellectual properties, ultimately enhancing the fan experience across multiple platforms.

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