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A Day at the Shanghai Film Studio
Several years ago while visiting the Shanghai Film Studio, I photographed these actors on their lunch break. All dressed in identical black suits, they were part of a gangster film set in 1930s Shanghai. On this day, the studio was buzzing with activity. The gangster film was shooting a car chase and crowd scenes in front of a large green screen. Costume trucks and lunch tables were set up in front of a fake shipyard. Nearby, the production crew was setting in place props and signs along the streetscape for the next day’s shooting. Meanwhile, the studio also runs a […]
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Shanghai Film Studio’s ‘Nanjing Road’
If you’ve seen a film or TV show set in period Shanghai, you’ve probably seen this three block long stretch of 1930s-era Nanjing Road. Originally constructed with Taiwanese financing for Chen Kaige’s “Temptress Moon” in 1995, it’s been reused for numerous films from Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution” to future science fiction film “Looper.” I created a brief video retrospective on the many lives of this movie set. Click on the viewer above to watch.
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Huzhou Film and Television City
Huzhou Film and Television City, located within the Taihu National Tourism Resort, is just as much about family entertainment as it is about film production. When I visited, the entire park staff assembled out front for a song and dance routine before the doors opened. Tourist shows occur throughout the day, including an acrobatic police chase (pictured), axe gang choreography inspired by Kung Fu Hustle, and a fictional wedding ceremony. The first portion of the park, representing Republic of China era Shanghai, was constructed in 2016. It includes the Bund, a port, a Catholic church, and other large scale buildings. […]
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“China Film”: Upcoming exhibition at Black Rock Center for the Arts
The exhibition “China Film” documents film sets, locations and the vast outdoor movie sets around Beijing, Shanghai, and Hengdian, China. The images provide a window into an evolving movie industry and global media culture. The exhibition will be on view November 18-December 19, 2015 at Blackrock Center for the Arts. Plans to travel the exhibition are in the exploratory stages. Meet the Artist Reception: Saturday, November 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 PM. Artist Talk: Sunday, December 13th beginning at 4:00 PM. Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 p.m. ABOUT THE EXHIBITION: […]
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