LEGEND3D Appoints Industry Veteran Ian Jessel As President
One of Hollywood's top tier 3D conversion houses just got better! I love Legend3D's work (Especially HUGO) and I'm looking forward to more...
Elite Studio Executive Brings Four Decades of Global Production Experience to Leading Stereo VFX Company
SAN DIEGO (April 17, 2012)—Legend3D, Inc., a leading digital media technology and visual effects company and innovator in 3D storytelling, today announced an executive appointment of Ian Jessel as president. Jessel, an entertainment industry veteran who was the founding president of Miramax International, is charged with enhancing Legend3D’s market visibility and nurturing studio relationships, specifically driving the company’s growth initiatives in the Hollywood entertainment industry and thriving international film markets. Jessel enters Legend3D during a time of rapid growth, as the company recently relocated its Los Angeles offices to Hollywood Center Studios to be closer to its expanding client base and also secured venture capital financing, including a $19 million Series E Preferred Stock offering.
“I am fortunate to join Legend3D’s accomplished, creative and innovative executive team—during a time of entertainment’s resurgence, largely driven by 3D titles,” said Jessel. “Together, we look forward to setting new benchmarks domestically and in Europe and Asia, while further strengthening the company’s position as a driving force in the worldwide 3D industry.”
Jessel brings a rich history of global studio relationships and major international marketing management to the president role, previously held by Legend3D’s Founder Dr. Barry Sandrew, who will now focus on his client relationship building as well as his chief creative officer (CCO) and chief technology officer (CTO) responsibilities. Prior to joining Legend3D, Jessel was president of Miramax International, one of the industry's leading independent companies which, during his tenure, acquired, produced and distributed films of class and distinction such as Jane Campion's The Piano, Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures, Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway and Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Before his role at Miramax International, Jessel was president and CEO of Nelson Entertainment, where he supervised the worldwide distribution of critically-acclaimed films, including Rob Reiner’s When Harry Met Sally. He also served as vice president of international distribution and marketing at CBS Films, where he was responsible for all international acquisitions and distribution activities. Jessel graduated from Oxford University with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in modern languages. He speaks fluent French and German and is currently studying Mandarin.
“Legend3D continues to successfully move the needle forward in the VFX industry and our strategic appointment of Ian, a respected peer among studios and expert with international distribution, sales and marketing, enhances our leadership and technical team’s power to expand and bring to audiences across the globe immersive 3D stories, ” said Dr. Sandrew. “We’re confident in Ian’s ability to help us effectively meet 3D conversion demands and exceed customers’ expectations with our first-class stereo techniques.”
Jessel is based in Legend3D’s Los Angeles office at Hollywood Center Studios with Barry Nulman, senior vice president of business development and Jenny Powers, senior marketing associate. He is a long-standing member of both the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the British Film Academy.
For more information about Legend3D, please visit www.Legend3D.com. For press inquiries, contact Robin Dwyer at 619-234-0345.
About Legend3D
As the largest U.S.-based 3D conversion studio in the film industry, Legend3D, Inc. is a dynamic digital media and visual effects company. Founded in 2001 by Dr. Barry Sandrew, Legend3D utilizes patented 2D-to-3D image conversion technologies to enhance filmmakers’ storytelling by creating the highest-quality dimensional conversions. Legend3D is the most experienced 3D conversion company in the industry and has completed 3D conversions for major motion pictures such as Hugo, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Green Lantern and The Smurfs. Legend3D’s clients include Bay Films, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Walt Disney Studios, DreamWorks Animation, Lionsgate, Screen Gems, Hewlett Packard, M&M Mars, New Balance, the Michael Jackson Tour, and MTV. Legend3D’s conversion artists are rapidly setting the industry standard for 2D-to-3D conversion and continue to help filmmakers connect with audiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.Legend3D.com.
