Giant Interactive launches Blu-ray production

Studio authors A&E's first titles in format

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 10/29/2008

OCT. 29 | DVD and new media producer Giant Interactive is moving into Blu-ray Disc production, authoring A&E Video’s first two Blu-ray releases: Universe: The Complete Season 1 and Paul McCartney: The Space Within Us, both due Nov. 18.

Giant recently hired executive producer Jeffrey Eagle and director of digital operations Jay Chumley to lead the studio into Blu-ray.

Eagle previously worked as creative director for Herzog-Cowen Entertainment, where he collaborated on Pirates of the Caribbean, Ray, West Wing and other movies and TV shows.

Chumley previously worked at LaserPacific and 1K Studios, working on DVDs for such high-profile releases as New Line’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and HBO Entertainment’s Sex and the City 20-disc series set.

Giant said supervising producer Allie Rosenzweig will head the studio’s newly created original programming division, which is charged with creating interactive content for Blu-ray, DVD, TV and digital media. The division will work with Walt Disney Studios, Lionsgate, ABC Family, Starz Entertainment and others.

Giant recently created a high-def facility specially equipped for Blu-ray and digital interactive products in Los Angeles. The company is working on Blu-ray titles for HBO and CBS.