Outside the Club

Film Production and Visual Effects (VFX) Servicesoutsidetheclub.de

Outside the Club GmbH is an independent German film production company in Wuppertal that develops and produces genre films and series while delivering full-service visual effects for broadcasters, streaming platforms, and production companies across German and international markets.

Company typePrivate
Founded2017
HeadquartersWuppertal, Germany
Headcount1–10
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What Outside the Club does

Outside the Club GmbH is an independent German film production company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, by Marc Schießer and Tobias Lohf. The company operates a dual-engine model combining creative-led film and series production with a full-service in-house visual effects (VFX) studio, primarily serving German broadcasters (ARD, ZDF, ARTE Mediathek, Sky, ProSieben, RTL+), global streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+), and fellow production companies such as augenschein Filmproduktion, bildundtonfabrik, Gaumont, and Goldstoff Filme. Its production slate emphasizes the genre-film space — thriller, horror, mystery, and comedy — and includes stand-out titles such as the Amazon Original feature Trunk (2024, 220+ countries), the Grimme-Award-winning series Wishlist (2017) and Haus Kummerveldt (2024), and Netflix's most-streamed German original at time of release How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast).

The integrated VFX capability uses an industry-standard toolchain — Houdini, Nuke, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, V-Ray, Mocha, Redshift, Mantra, Substance Suite, plus Python, VEX and PDG for pipeline orchestration and Deadline for render scheduling — covering script analysis, previz, set supervision, 2D/3D tracking, compositing, 3D animation/modelling/texturing/lighting, simulation (particles, cloth, fire, smoke, destruction, oceans, crowds), matte painting, and digital environments. An in-house composer (Marcel Becker-Neu) and a postproduction supervisor extend the offering beyond pure VFX. Capacity is scaled through an active freelancer network across compositing, FX, animation, and pipeline roles.

Revenue is generated through three streams: (1) project-based film and series production fees, copyright licensing, and co-production shares on commissioned or co-developed projects with broadcasters and streamers; (2) fee-for-service VFX contracts billed via cost estimates with a flat project base, separately quoted "nice-to-have" shots, and a €95 net hourly rate for scope expansions; and (3) buy-out copyright and reference-use licensing under the company's AGB. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Marketing is primarily reputation-driven — festival premieres, Grimme-Award and Deutscher Fernsehpreis recognition, and earned press around platform releases — rather than performance marketing.

Outside the Club firmographics

Firmographics

Name: Outside the Club
Legal name: Outside the Club GmbH
Website: https://outsidetheclub.de
Company type: Private
Founded year: 2017
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1–10 employees
Short description: Outside the Club GmbH is an independent German film production company in Wuppertal that develops and produces genre films and series while delivering full-service visual effects for broadcasters, streaming platforms, and production companies across German and international markets.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Outside the Club industry classification

Industry

Product category: Film Production and Visual Effects (VFX) Services
NAICS: Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)
SIC: Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819)
akta.pro primary industry: VFX Production & Supervision (2D/3D, Compositing, FX, CG) (MPADAHAA)
akta.pro secondary industries: VFX Production & Shot Work (CG Integration, Matte Painting, FX) (MPAHABAB), VFX Supervision & On-Set VFX Services (MPAHABAA), Rotoscoping, Paint & Matchmove/Tracking Services (MPAHABAD), Outsourced Art/Audio Production Services (2D/3D, Animation, VFX, Audio/VO) (MPAFAKAM), Real-Time Content & Engine Services (Unreal/Unity, Real-Time Rendering Pipelines) (MPADAHAH)

Keywords

Independent film production
Visual effects services
Genre film series production
VFX postproduction studio
Film streaming originals

Where Outside the Club is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Wuppertal
HQ country: Germany
HQ region: Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

Outside the Club business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

Film & Series Production Revenue: Revenue generated from producing films and series as a production company. Projects are commissioned or co-produced with broadcasters and streaming platforms (e.g., Amazon Studios, Netflix, ARD, Sky, ZDF). The company acts as lead or co-producer, earning production fees, copyright licensing, and co-production shares.
VFX Services Revenue: Fee-for-service VFX work contracted to external production companies for specific visual effects deliverables. Services include script analysis, previz, set supervision, VFX producing, compositing, 3D animation, simulation, and final shot delivery. Billed via cost estimates with fixed and variable components per AGB.
Copyright Licensing & Reference Use: The company's AGB (Section 12) references buy-out licensing of usage rights for produced works, with revenue derived from transferring exclusive usage rights in all known and unknown usage categories upon payment of agreed fees.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Multi-year contract	Project-based flat fee for defined VFX deliverables

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels6 records

Outside the Club product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Outside the Club develops and produces original genre films and series for international audiences, providing end-to-end production from script development through post-production. As a separate but integrated offering, it operates a full-service visual effects (VFX) studio that delivers compositing, 3D animation, simulation, matte painting, motion graphics, and final-shot delivery to external production companies and broadcasters. The dual business spans own IP (e.g., Wishlist, Trunk) and contracted VFX work for clients such as Netflix, Amazon Studios, ARD, Sky, Paramount+, and augenschein Filmproduktion.

Product overview

Outside the Club GmbH is an independent German film production company founded in 2017 in Wuppertal, NRW, specializing in genre films and series for international audiences. The company operates on two pillars: (1) Film Production Services - developing and producing original films and series from concept to delivery, including their Amazon Original 'Trunk' and the award-winning 'Wishlist' series; and (2) Visual Effects (VFX) Studio - providing full-service VFX for high-end theatrical and streaming productions including 'The Assessment' (starring Alicia Vikander), 'How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)' for Netflix, 'Die Wespe' for Sky, and 'Oderbruch' for ARD. The company takes a dual creative role as both producer and key creative head, with capabilities spanning directing, cinematography, editing, and post-production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Film Production Services End-to-end development and production of original feature films and series for international audiences, with focus on genre films (thriller, horror, mystery, comedy). Services span script development, directing, cinematography, editing, post-production, and distribution via streaming and broadcast partners. Customers include Amazon Studios, Netflix, ARD, ARTE Mediathek, Sky, Paramount+, RTL+, and ProSieben.
Visual Effects (VFX) Studio Services Full-service visual effects for feature films and series, from concept art and set supervision to final shot delivery. Includes script analysis, previz, on-set VFX supervision, VFX producing, compositing, 2D/3D tracking, motion graphics, retouche, 3D animation (modelling, texturing, shader creation, lighting, rendering), simulation (particles, cloth, fire, smoke, destruction, oceans, crowds), matte painting, and digital environments. Delivered via tools including Houdini, Nuke, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, V-Ray, Mocha, Redshift, and Mantra. Customers include augenschein Filmproduktion, bildundtonfabrik, Gaumont, Goldstoff Filme, X-Filme, Syrreal Entertainment, and Talpa Germany.
VFX Services Portfolio (Compositing, 3D Animation, Simulation) Modular VFX offerings covering compositing, 2D/3D tracking, motion graphics, 3D animation/CGI, simulation (particles, cloth, fire, water, crowd), character animation, and matte painting. Sold as standalone VFX deliverables to external production companies. Tooling: Nuke, Houdini, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, V-Ray, Mocha.

Quantifiable outcome

Grimme-Award Special 2024
+2 more outcomes

Companies that use Outside the Club

Customer profile

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Outside the Club technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Outside the Club partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetflix is a key distribution partner for OTC's VFX services, commissioning OTC as VFX vendor and VFX producer for three seasons of How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast). OTC's work on this Netflix Original Series contributed to it becoming the most streamed German Netflix Original in Germany at the time.
Amazon Studios / Amazon Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon Studios commissioned OTC as production and VFX partner for Trunk (Amazon Original feature film released in 220+ countries in 2024). OTC also produced Almania pilot episodes and Be careful what you wish for for Amazon Prime Video. Amazon provides commissioning and global distribution.
ARD / ARTE MediathekcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorARD and ARTE commissioned Haus Kummerveldt (co-production with Goldstoff Filme) and Oderbruch for their streaming platforms. OTC serves as co-producer and VFX provider. The Haus Kummerveldt series won the Grimme-Award Special in 2024.
Warner Bros.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarner Bros. is listed as a partner on OTC's website. Partnerships include Trunk (distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures Germany for 'Die Rettung der uns bekannten Welt') and Love Addicts (Warner Bros. ITVP Deutschland production, Amazon Prime Video release).
Film- und Medienstiftung NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilm- und Medienstiftung NRW is the regional film funding body for North Rhine-Westphalia. It supports OTC's productions through financing grants, enabling projects like Trunk, Haus Kummerveldt, Hysteria, and others. NRW is also OTC's home base.
Sky DeutschlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSky commissioned OTC for VFX services on Die Wespe, a Sky original series (6 episodes, 2021). OTC delivered visual effects for the comedy-drama series.
bildundtonfabrik (btf)coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerbtf is the production company behind How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast). OTC serves as VFX vendor and VFX producer for all three seasons of this Netflix original, working closely with btf on visual effects delivery.
augenschein FilmproduktioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partneraugenschein Filmproduktion is a German film production company. OTC provides VFX services for their theatrical feature films including The Assessment (starring Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen) and Islands (Berlinale 2025).
Syrreal EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSyrreal Entertainment is a production company for which OTC provides additional VFX on projects including Oderbruch (ARD Mediathek) and Club der Dinosaurier (ZDFneo).
Goldstoff FilmecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoldstoff Filme is the lead production company for Haus Kummerveldt. OTC co-produced this historical dramedy series alongside Goldstoff Filme, ARD, and ZDF/ARTE. Series won Grimme-Award Special 2024.
PorscheminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPorsche is listed as a partner on OTC's website, suggesting a commercial or branded content relationship (e.g., product placement or co-marketing) in OTC productions.
X-Filme Creative PoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerX-Filme is the production company for Der Scheich (Paramount+ series, 2022). OTC provided VFX services for this project.
Gaumont GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGaumont is the production company for Die Wespe (Sky) and Plan B (ZDF). OTC provides VFX services for Gaumont productions.
Talpa GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTalpa Germany is the production company for Schattenmoor (ProSieben Primetime, Joyn). OTC provided directing, cinematography, VFX, music, sound design, and title design for this mystery TV movie.
PROG – Producers of GermanyminorOthersPROG is the German producers' guild association. Tobias Lohf and Marc Schießer are members, supporting OTC's industry standing and network access.
Mediengründerzentrum NRW (MGZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe media startup center NRW supports media entrepreneurs. Tobias Lohf and Marc Schießer are alumni fellows, indicating early-stage support for founding Outside the Club.
Filmbüro NW e.V.minorOthersFilmbüro NW is the film office association for North Rhine-Westphalia. Both founders are members, supporting OTC's regional industry connections and resources.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Outside the Club competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Rat Pack Filmproduktion: German genre film production company (Fack ju Göhte franchise, Welcome to Germany) of comparable size and theatrical ambition. Closest direct competitor in the German genre production niche.
Syrreal Entertainment: German production company for which OTC provides additional VFX on Oderbruch (ARD Mediathek) and Club der Dinosaurier (ZDFneo). Direct comparable in the German VFX-services-for-producers value chain.
bildundtonfabrik (btf): German production company behind How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast), with whom OTC has co-produced all three seasons of the Netflix Original as VFX vendor and VFX producer. Direct production partner of comparable size, audience, and digital-first profile.
Endemol Shine Beyond Germany: Listed as a partner on OTC's website and operates in the same digital-first, broadcaster-adjacent content space in Germany. Comparable in producing premium content for streaming and free-to-air platforms.
augenschein Filmproduktion: German film production company that commissions OTC for VFX services on theatrical features including The Assessment (starring Alicia Vikander) and Islands (Berlinale 2025). Mid-size German producer operating in the same theatrical/streaming space.
Goldstoff Filme: Lead production company for Haus Kummerveldt, co-produced with OTC for ARD/ARTE Mediathek. Comparable mid-size German production company working in the same genre and historical content space with the same broadcaster relationships.

Broad incumbents

UFA GmbH: Germany's largest TV production group and Bertelsmann subsidiary, producing genre and premium content for ARD, RTL, Sky, and streamers. Dominant incumbent in OTC's market with vastly greater resources and platform leverage.
Bavaria Film: One of Germany's largest and oldest film production and studio-operating companies based in Munich. Operates Bavaria Film Studios, Bavaria Pictures, and Bavaria Fiction. Established incumbent in the same German-language production market OTC serves.

Emerging players

Rise FX: Germany-based VFX house with comparable service portfolio (compositing, CG, FX) and work on international streaming and theatrical productions. Most direct VFX-service-only competitor to OTC's studio pillar.
Trixter Film: German VFX and animation studio with similar toolchain (Houdini, Nuke) and clientele including Netflix and Amazon. Closest peer in the German boutique VFX space with stronger feature film credits.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Outside the Club financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Outside the Club leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Outside the Club funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Outside the Club M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Outside the Club

What does Outside the Club do?

Is Outside the Club a public or private company?

Outside the Club is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.

When was Outside the Club founded?

Outside the Club was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.

Where is Outside the Club based?

Outside the Club is headquartered in Wuppertal, Germany, in the Europe region.

How does Outside the Club make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Film & Series Production Revenue is the primary driver. The others are VFX Services Revenue and copyright Licensing & Reference Use.

Who are Outside the Club's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Rat Pack Filmproduktion, Syrreal Entertainment, bildundtonfabrik (btf), Endemol Shine Beyond Germany, augenschein Filmproduktion and Goldstoff Filme. Broad incumbents are UFA GmbH and Bavaria Film. Emerging players are Rise FX and Trixter Film.

Does Outside the Club have an API?

No public API is recorded for Outside the Club.

What industry is Outside the Club in?

Outside the Club's product category is Film Production and Visual Effects (VFX) Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAHAA, VFX Production & Supervision (2D/3D, Compositing, FX, CG), with a secondary code of MPAHABAB, VFX Production & Shot Work (CG Integration, Matte Painting, FX). Its NAICS code is 51211 and its SIC code is 7812.