Visual Effects: Walt Disney Co. said it...

Visual Effects: Walt Disney Co. said it acquired Dream Quest Images, an Oscar-winning visual effects company in Simi Valley that has worked on such films as “James and the Giant Peach,” “The Crow” and “The Mask.” No price was announced, but sources said Disney paid about $6 million. Dream Quest will become a Disney unit. Other major studios are also investing in visual effects operations, with Warner Bros.’ digital effects unit moving into a state-of-the-art facility earlier this month, Sony operating a major effects operation out of its Culver City lot and DreamWorks SKG announced last month the acquisition of a 40% stake in Pacific Data Images in Palo Alto. Dream Quest, which won Oscars for its work on “The Abyss” and “Total Recall,” was founded in a garage in 1979 and is headed by Abdi Sami, the company’s chief executive. The company employs more than 120 people and has a Santa Monica division, DQ, that produces TV commercials. The company has worked on such Disney films as last summer’s “Crimson Tide” and the upcoming film, “The Rock.” Dream Quest also developed effects for Disney theme park attractions such as the film “The Making of Me” at “Wonders of Life” at Epcot Center in Florida.