The Los Angeles Times reports that Netflix has announced a deal to acquire Vancouver visual effects studio Scanline.

Scanline has worked on Netflix titles including their recently released Cowboy Bebop, seasons 3 and 4 of Stranger Things and their upcoming film, Don't Look Up.

Should we be super excited that Netflix is planning to drown us in new sci-fi shows overflowing with eye-popping visual effects?

Probably not.

Scanline will continue to operate as a standalone business and Netflix will continue to work with other visual effects studios.

What this could indicate is two things.

First, this is Netflix securing visual effects capability at a time when demand for post-production services is booming. While Scanline may continue to also sell their services to others, presumably Netflix can count on them being available for Netflix content.

Second, this is Netflix powering ahead as not just a streaming service, but also a content creator.

[ Main Image: Cowboy Bebop. Credit: Netflix via IMDb.com. ]

References

Lee, Wendy (November 22, 2021). Netflix’s next acquisition: A Vancouver VFX studio. Los Angeles Times.