James Cameron's Lightstorm buys AI 3D firm Outsyders to build end-to-end pipeline
What's the deal? James Cameron's Lightstorm VisionDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has acquired OutsydersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an AI-driven 3D technology company, to create an end-to-end solution for 3D production. The companies announced the deal on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed.
What's the endgame? The move positions Lightstorm Vision as a one-stop shop for 3D, combining Outsyders' AI-driven 3D pipeline with Lightstorm's native capture and production capabilities.
Who is Outsyders? Its stereoscopic processing platform is "built to deliver efficient production at scale without compromising quality," according to a press release. By combining real and synthetic data, it lets small teams produce premium stereoscopic content faster and at lower cost than traditional conversion methods.
The company has provided 3D for "Blue Angels," Disney's "Lilo & Stitch," "Tron: Ares," and "Moana." It also worked with Cameron on his concert documentary "Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (in 3D)."
Why now? Cameron said Lightstorm has worked with Outsyders founder Paul Becker and his team for nearly two years. "I've got a very exacting eye for 3D, and I can confidently say that their work and their AI tools are world class," he said.
Becker, chief executive officer and co-founder of Outsyders, framed the deal as a natural next step. "Our work with Jim confirmed that our combined technologies were the most logical and effective step for the format," he said.
The signal: The acquisition merges two approaches that have long stood apart — AI-driven conversion and native photographic 3D. By folding both into one pipeline, Lightstorm is betting that AI tools can make premium stereoscopic content cheaper and quicker to produce for studios.
Image credit: *rboed*
