MDA building Digital R&D district Mediapolis

The MDA is building Mediapolis, a large-scale media complex which will be completed by 2020 at One-North, a research and development district in the country. When completed it will be a hub that will house a media ecosystem comprising sound stages with green screen capabilities; digital production and broadcast facilities; interactive digital media (IDM) and R&D activities; Computer-generated Imagery and visual effects; post-production, games and animation; digital media schools, business parks, work lofts and incubators; intellectual property (IP) creation and digital rights management.

Talking to Animation Xpress Asia Pacific about Mediapolis, Lim Chwee Seng, Executive Director- Infrastructure Programme Office, Media Development Authority of Singapore shared, "Mediapolis is a 19-hectare media park located within the One-North development. When completed it will provide some 400,000 sqm of space for offices, production facilities, retail, F&B and entertainment outlets. We have started engaging a number of Singapore-based and overseas international media companies as potential tenants at Mediapolis."

It is part of the Fusionopolis, which is a research and development facility established by the state Agency for Science, Technology & Research. The development will enable Singapore to host international media players and large, big-budget projects. The Mediapolis will start operating its soundstages and business park complex in 2011. Mediapolis @ one-north is a joint-stewardship between four government agencies: Media Development Authority (MDA), JTC, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and Economic Development Board (EDB), each bringing its own expertise and strengths.

Singapore by creating such economic clusters aims to develop a stimulating environment for knowledge intensive creative and scientific community to invest, innovate and synergistically grow. The demand for co-production from the regional markets and post production services from the global markets are the drivers behind the government's initiatives to develop the industry.

Global media giants such as Lucasfilm, Linden Lab, EA, Ubisoft and most recently, Italian gaming and animation company, Rainbow Spa have all set up their offices in Singapore. Strategic location of the country, great connectivity, robust IP regime, digital capabilities, fast and secured IT network system suited to media needs, and a conducive living and lifestyle environment have all been responsible for attracting such media giants to Singapore's shore. Small companies with huge innovation capital can also establish their ventures in Singapore and benefit from synergies of the enterprise ecosystem.