The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that it is combining its Audio-Visual Division with Brigham Young University's Motion Picture Studios.
The union will create a new Audio-Visual Department, which will officially be born March 1.A statement from the LDS Church's First Presidency said the new department will "optimize the use of church-owned audio-visual facilities and personnel, and eliminate duplication of services, equipment, manpower and production costs."
The statement also said other audio-visual-related operations in the church will be consolidated into the new department.
Paul Richards, spokesman for BYU's Public Communications, said the university will meet with LDS Church officials in the near future to discuss the details.
The new department will operate under the direction of Elder James M. Paramore, of the Presidency of the Seventy. Lyle E. Shamo will act as managing director.