What is a Production Deal?

A production deal is a formal agreement between a production company and a financer, studio, streamer, or distributor. The goal: create film or TV content. It defines who handles development, financing, shooting, post-production, distribution rights, and profit-sharing.

In Malaysia, such deals are commonly structured around local tax incentives, low-cost production infrastructure, and cross-border co-productions with international partners.

Types of Production Deals in Film & TV

Understanding the right deal structure is key when engaging with a production house in Malaysia. Here’s what you may come across:

• First-Look Deals: Studio gets first option on content developed by the production house.
• Output Deals: Production house commits to deliver a certain volume of content.
• Co-Production Agreements: Ideal for cross-border partnerships; Malaysia is increasingly active here.
• Service Production Contracts: Local Malaysian production companies act as service providers for international clients.

How a Production Deal Works

Production deals operate in stages:

1. Development – Script, budgeting, hiring key crew.
2. Financing – Investors, grants, studio funding, tax rebates.
3. Production – On-ground filming, logistics, equipment rentals.
4. Post-Production – Editing, VFX, sound mixing.
5. Distribution – Content sale, rights allocation.

Malaysian production houses often collaborate on location scouting, crew management, and local compliance, becoming crucial partners.

Key Players in a Production Deal

1. Primeworks Studios

Overview: Primeworks Studios is one of Malaysia’s leading content production companies, specializing in film, television, and digital content. It contributes significantly to Southeast Asia’s VFX and post-production scene.

Renowned Projects: Known for producing high-quality films and television shows, Primeworks integrates advanced VFX techniques into its productions.

Awards: The studio has received numerous accolades for excellence in content creation and cinematic storytelling.

2. KRU Studios

Overview: KRU Studios is a renowned Malaysian entertainment company known for producing blockbuster films with cutting-edge visual effects and CGI technologies.

Renowned Projects: KRU Studios is acclaimed for its high-impact action and fantasy films utilizing advanced VFX tools and techniques.

Awards: Recognized regionally and internationally for its innovation in cinematic visual storytelling.

3. Astro Shaw

Overview: Astro Shaw is a prominent Malaysian film production and distribution company that blends traditional storytelling with modern VFX capabilities.

Renowned Projects: The studio has produced and distributed award-winning films, often incorporating creative visual effects elements.

Awards: Astro Shaw has garnered various awards for film production excellence and storytelling innovation.

4. Polygon Pictures Malaysia

Overview: A subsidiary of the renowned Japanese studio, Polygon Pictures Malaysia specializes in 3D animation and visual effects, delivering world-class digital content.

Renowned Projects: Known for working on globally acclaimed animation and CGI-heavy productions.

Awards: The studio has earned recognition for technical artistry and animation excellence.

5. Astro Malaysia Holdings

Overview: Astro Malaysia Holdings is a multimedia group with diverse operations, including content production integrated with VFX and post-production units.

Renowned Projects: The company’s productions often showcase sophisticated visual effects as part of its broadcasting and content offerings.

Awards: It is a multiple award-winning media conglomerate recognized for innovation and quality content.

6. Animasia Studio

Overview: Animasia Studio is a premier Malaysian animation studio with a strong focus on integrating high-end VFX into animated content.

Renowned Projects: The studio is well-known for producing animated series and films using advanced visual effects pipelines.

Awards: Celebrated for creativity in animation and its contributions to the global animation industry.

7. Inspidea

Overview: Inspidea is a leading digital animation studio creating vibrant animated series with integrated VFX workflows for global audiences.

Renowned Projects: Known for producing globally syndicated animated content with stylized effects and visual enhancements.

Awards: Multiple recognitions for artistic storytelling and animation excellence.

8. Lil Critter Workshop

Overview: Lil Critter Workshop is a boutique animation and VFX studio known for its inventive storytelling and digital craftsmanship.

Renowned Projects: Specializes in character-driven animated series enhanced by compelling VFX elements.

Awards: Acclaimed for its unique animation style and production quality.

9. The Paradox Studio

Overview: The Paradox Studio is an emerging creative house offering full-stack VFX and animation services tailored to modern storytelling.

Renowned Projects: Delivers high-end visual solutions for commercials, short films, and series.

Awards: Gaining recognition in regional film festivals and media platforms.

10. Silver Ant

Overview: Silver Ant is a top-tier Malaysian VFX and animation studio with global collaborations in major cinematic and digital productions.

Renowned Projects: Known for working with international partners on visually intensive projects, including animated features and CG content.

Awards: Widely recognized for excellence in animation and cutting-edge VFX artistry.

Benefits of a Production Deal

• Access to expert resources and infrastructure
• Financial backing and risk mitigation
• Better global distribution via co-production labels
• Streamlined production pipeline
• Incentives from Malaysian government (like FINAS rebates)

Challenges in Securing a Production Deal

• Navigating cross-border legalities
• Identifying trustworthy partners
• Vetting company history, project success, and capabilities
• Accessing key decision-makers
• Finding co-financing and distribution routes

Why Malaysia for Production Houses?

Malaysia is fast becoming a production hotspot in Southeast Asia due to:

• Competitive production costs
• Tax incentives up to 30%
• High-quality production crew and facilities
• Multilingual, multicultural talent pool
• Strategic location for APAC and Middle-East projects

Top global companies—like Netflix, Warner Bros., and Globo—have tapped production houses in Malaysia via Vitrina.