THE MAC WAY
Yesterday I went to visit the film studio and it was
amazing. Walking into the lobby was
like walking into a different world. They claimed to
be the premiere film destination in SE Asia, and
after seeing this amazingly designed and decorated
lobby, I believe it. The studio also houses the
International Film Academy, and I saw students from
all over the world milling around there. Chinese,
Koreans, Australians, Americans, and people with
accents I couldn't place even.
There was a really nice looking cafe in the lobby and huge flat screen monitors everywhere showing clips of the studio's work and bits I am guessing relate to the film school also inside.
The producer I was there to meet eventually came down, got me a guest ID and took me into the guarded interiors of the place. First we went to the post production suite where they had an amazing Final Cut Studio setup with multiple large flat screen monitors. The editor was working on the movie they are considering having me join in on, and I have to say it is much higher quality, and higher budget, stuff than at the last place I worked in Hollywood. They even had an action sequence choreographed by a noted Hong Kong action director. Much of the CGI was very rough, "work in progress" kind of stuff, so I can see why they might be seeking help to bring up the level.
Next we went to meet the COO of the company. Surprisingly, he knows my publisher and has been trying to get him to do his movie out there. The COO said that although the plan was to have some FX done in house and some outsourced to the larger houses in LA, they were considering investing in everything needed to be able to do it all in house. It was not a small investment though. They seemed really excited at the possibility of having a guy in town, with Hollywood experience, who could be available to help with projects like that.
Next we went to meet the CGI department, which was relatively small at 5 guys, but they do some incredible, high quality work. They showed me a number of clips from different projects and some of the "work in progress" material from the current film. FInally we went to see the head of post production. He also seemed to really like the idea of having a Hollywood experienced guy living in town that they could call on when needed. At that time, he apparently just got an email from the director who had decided that he wanted all the special FX and CGI done in house, and none of it in LA, which just increased the need for my help.
Basically, should I sign on, it would be short contracts centered on a single project, so I wouldn't be giving up doing my own thing as I was concerned about. My salary would be all tax free, and I would have access to all that amazing gear. I will be going back to meet with them again, later in the week, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
There was a really nice looking cafe in the lobby and huge flat screen monitors everywhere showing clips of the studio's work and bits I am guessing relate to the film school also inside.
The producer I was there to meet eventually came down, got me a guest ID and took me into the guarded interiors of the place. First we went to the post production suite where they had an amazing Final Cut Studio setup with multiple large flat screen monitors. The editor was working on the movie they are considering having me join in on, and I have to say it is much higher quality, and higher budget, stuff than at the last place I worked in Hollywood. They even had an action sequence choreographed by a noted Hong Kong action director. Much of the CGI was very rough, "work in progress" kind of stuff, so I can see why they might be seeking help to bring up the level.
Next we went to meet the COO of the company. Surprisingly, he knows my publisher and has been trying to get him to do his movie out there. The COO said that although the plan was to have some FX done in house and some outsourced to the larger houses in LA, they were considering investing in everything needed to be able to do it all in house. It was not a small investment though. They seemed really excited at the possibility of having a guy in town, with Hollywood experience, who could be available to help with projects like that.
Next we went to meet the CGI department, which was relatively small at 5 guys, but they do some incredible, high quality work. They showed me a number of clips from different projects and some of the "work in progress" material from the current film. FInally we went to see the head of post production. He also seemed to really like the idea of having a Hollywood experienced guy living in town that they could call on when needed. At that time, he apparently just got an email from the director who had decided that he wanted all the special FX and CGI done in house, and none of it in LA, which just increased the need for my help.
Basically, should I sign on, it would be short contracts centered on a single project, so I wouldn't be giving up doing my own thing as I was concerned about. My salary would be all tax free, and I would have access to all that amazing gear. I will be going back to meet with them again, later in the week, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
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