China's first computer-generated imagery (CGI) animation feature,
Turandot, has started production, it was announced at a
press conference on December 3 at the Blue Apple Club in Beijing.
This is China's third attempt at the Puccini opera, based on a
play by Carlo Gozzi. Zhang Yimou, who directed the movie
Hero that starred Jet Li and Maggie Cheung, had previously
made a Chinese-musical version. Another famed director, Lin
Zhaohua, told the story of Turandot through Peking
Opera.
For this animated production, Zhang Yuan, who directed East
Palace West Palace and Green Tea, will lead the team.
Chinese actor Li Yapeng will play the leading role. But who will
play "Princess Turandot" has yet to be decided. Zhang said that the
lead actress would be selected by the end of the year. Other stars
lending their talents to the production include Ma Yili, Wu Yujuan,
and pianist Kong Xiangdong.
The twist in this Turandot tale is that this CGI
version will feature a new character, one that doesn't exist in the
original story. It is a little princess played by E-Xinxin, a
digital 'thespian' created in the likeness of real-life star, Li
Xinyu. E-Xinxin is a 'seasoned' celebrity, having made numerous
appearances on stage, TV, movies, comics, cartoons, Internet games,
and mobile phone games.
China's largest professional CGI design company Crystal Digital
Technology Co. Ltd. will provide the visual effects support for the
production. Crystal, one of China's more established CGI companies,
collaborated with Zhang Yimou to develop the video for Beijing
Olympics 2008 bid. It was also responsible for the visual
effects for the CCTV documentary Forbidden City.
For Turandot, Crystal's 100 animators have spent half a
year recreating capital city of the Yuan Dynasty (1206–1368).
Crystal will be using the motion capture technology to shoot the
actors' parts. The technology involves filming every movement of
the live actor's performance with computerized cameras, and using
that as a blueprint for the animation.
According to director Zhang Yuan, this production will feature
action, martial arts and revenge, in addition to originality,
although the main plot will be maintained.
A star-studded cast of musicians was invited to record the
soundtrack, which will have the actors singing their own songs,
including famous Chinese musician and producer Wang Feng, world
famous violinist Xue Wei, and pianist Kong Xiangdong.
Zhang revealed that this CGI production would cost 100 million
yuan.
The production team expects the feature to hit screens in 2007,
and it is also hoping to screen at the Tokyo, Berlin, Cannes and
Venice international film festivals.
(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui December 13, 2005)
