+ CaseGiraldi opened New York-based prodco Playroom, with a view to building a visually oriented and international brand. Starting with a directorial roster of four, the new company is a deliberate departure from the well-known CaseGiraldi name. Playroom will be driven by the visual flair of directors Alejandro Toledo, Yann Malka (both natives of Spain), Carlos Sama (Mexico City) and David Jaffe (New York). Dawn Schiffman, Delores Hively, Julia Banan and Robin Pickett will run Playroom alongside Carol Case.

+ Matthew Dabner, formerly of Alex Proyas' Mystery Clock Cinema, partnered with producers Louise Smith and Kath Shelper to form Film Depot, NSW. The Surry Hills-based company offers facilitation services to foreign-based prodcos looking to shoot commercials or music videos in Australia. Film Depot specializes in producing the live-action component of visual-effects intensive projects. Its secondary focus will be developing and producing feature films.

+ At press time, Media 100 was set to open a new showcase facility in Soho, London. The office, at the heart of the UK's broadcast and production community, will highlight the company's 844/X real-time vertical editing system. In addition, the Media 100 Soho Square office will facilitate the training and development requirements of editors and operators by launching a free 844/X certified training program.

+ Executive producer Scott Friske and editors Tim Sherry, Pablo Piriz, Jeff Malmberg, Damion Clayton and Dustin Robertson co-founded edit house Pure, based in Marina Del Rey. All six were formerly with Mint Editorial, Santa Monica.

+ Celina Gregory formed Boomerang Production in Sydney, Australia, with the aim of offering a comprehensive world-class service to directors and producers around the globe. Gregory was previously a producer and joint partner of Goodoil Films, NSW.