Two Toronto-based media companies have decided to join forces in the emerging and converging new media and animation industries with a strategic alliance to pool the respective talents of each shop.

Loop Animation, a 2D and 3D computer animation facility, is teaming up with Random Media Core, a new media production company specializing in Web development, graphic design, sound and music production, and recently, cd-rom development.

‘We’re working together to broaden our horizons,’ says Loop founder Jeff Bastedo. ‘This alliance will work to make us stronger and open us up to a broader range of clients.’

Loop, a Silicon Graphics-based shop, undertakes character animation, 2D paint, creative design and special effects mainly for commercial clients, as well as broadcast design work for clients including ctv and Time Warner. Bastedo says Loop’s specialty is ‘bringing life to computer work,’ giving cg jobs an organic, real flavor.

Random’s graphic design and new media development studio is based on Power Mac and Pentium machines. The company also has a complete audio studio with capability for 50-plus tracks as well as working on music score and sound design for corporate and commercial clients. The shop also operates a record label, Random Sound Recordings.

Random’s Erwin Tumangday says the two companies have been working together on long-term projects on a design basis and have recently bid on jobs together. He adds the partnership will provide an expanded, one-stop resource for agencies looking to do animation and audio in one place.

‘This alliance will position both companies to work more efficiently and more creatively with our existing base of clients in the agency world,’ says Tumangday. ‘The creative departments of both companies are working well together and the technology complements each other so the client benefits by getting quick turnaround as well as savings on jobs.’