H.K. effects industry growing strong

March 17, 2008 Since the beginning of the new millennium, local films have displayed visual effects and animation styles as diverse as the exaggerated, comic-book-style action sequences of 2001's "Shaolin Soccer" and 2004's "Kung Fu Hustle," the bloody and realistic battles of last year's "Warlords" and the fantasy world of 2005's "Chinese Tall Story" -- not to mention the unique digital creatures featured in 2007's "Secret of the Magic Gourd" (a talking vegetable) and this year's "CJ7" (a furry animal from space). FatFace Prods., the aggressive 3-year-old company credited with the effects work in Peter Chan's "Warlords" and headed by industry veteran Ng Yuen-fai, is in charge of creating a virtual world in the style of last year's international blockbuster "300" for the just-announced "Storm Riders II" from brother directors Danny and Oxide Pang, scheduled for release in late 2009. The Universe Entertainment adaptation of the popular 1980s comics, with a budget of HK$100 million ($12.8 million), will be completely shot in front of bluescreens with the scenery and sets added in postproduction.

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