Latest news with #WētāWorkshop
Scoop
a day ago
- Health
- Scoop
Wētā Workshop Designed TCM Cultural Experience Center Opens In Guangdong China
From the lotus petal-shaped building to the larger-than-life hyper-realistic figures, magical forests, and a futuristic herbal laboratory — these are just some of the aspects of the new TCM Cultural Experience Center designed by Richard Taylor and his team at Wētā Workshop, working in close collaboration with Wellington and China-based creative practitioners and companies. This unique and striking center opened on Saturday 19 July at the Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park, China. The Guangdong-Macao Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Industrial Park features a mix of facilities, including offices, R&D centres, hotels, retail streets, an experience centre, pharmaceutical plants, testing and extraction centres, and staff apartments. As a core part of the park, the five-storey TCM Cultural Experience Center, with a floor area of 36,000 square metres, is the flagship of its health sector and a powerful symbol of cultural integration in the Greater Bay Area. This new TCM Cultural Experience Center offers a fully immersive experience that brings the culture of traditional Chinese medicine to life, guiding visitors on a journey from its mythological origins to the advancements in modern practices, and on into thefuture. This natural approach to medicine is a critically important part of Chinese wellbeing, and the TCM Cultural Experience Center aims to inspire future generations to learn about this important cultural practice. Taylor, alongside creative collaborator Sam Gao, worked over seven years to realise the project in close collaboration with client Hengxin Shambala. Wētā Workshop's Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer, Richard Taylor, says, 'For me it was critical to approach the subject with a deep sense of commitment, and to learn all that I could of the mythology, history, science, and culture of this fascinating subject. By exploring the use of herbal medicine over centuries of Chinese wellbeing, a complex and intriguing story begins to unfold.' The TCM Cultural Experience Center is Wētā Workshop's largest project to date, and their second large-scale immersive experience project in China, following the completion of their award-winning work on Aura: The Forest at the Edge of the Sky at the duty-free shopping mall in Haikou, on Hainan Island in 2022. The TCM Cultural Experience Center is especially significant for Taylor and the team at Wētā Workshop, not only due to the size and scale of the project, but the extent to which the team researched and designed the experience, from the uniquely designed building itself, through to the cultural narratives within its spaces. Taylor adds, 'As I have spent close to three decades working in China, it came as an extraordinary treat to work so comprehensively on something as monumental as this experience. What started as a white board drawing in my office now stands as a magnificent structure containing an utterly unique cultural exhibition.' 'This was a very special project that is testament to the tight collaboration and creative exchange between two teams — one in New Zealand, and one in China — united by the collective endeavour of creating the world's most unique TCM Cultural Experience Center,' Taylor adds. Wētā Workshop's head of creative media, Sam Gao, worked closely with Taylor on both creative direction and hands-on sculpting elements and says, 'Despite the challenges of often having to work remotely, the project was immensely fulfilling and brought together people from China mainland and Macau, alongside our own Workshop team in New Zealand.' 'On a more personal level, it was an honour to share my creative expertise on a project that celebrates traditional Chinese medicine and brings to life stories from my cultural upbringing,' Gao adds. The TCM Cultural Experience Center experience starts before guests enter, with its unique building design paying homage to the herbal plants that are critical to traditional Chinese medicine. Within the building guests encounter a multitude of exhibits, including a large number of hyper-realistic up-scaled figures representing key moments from Chinese culture including Hua Tuo, Zhang Zhongjing and Li Shi Zhen. A 50-metrre-long animated 'historical tapestry' is just one of several features which skilfully combine artistry and interactive smart tech throughout the building. The stunning central atrium showcases the story of Shen Nong with a large-scale mural on the ceiling, with 100 birds flying down towards the ground floor, connecting all five levels of the building. Working alongside collaborator Sam Gao, Taylor and Gao strived to facilitate and connect two teams of creatives. Providing design and fabrication services from their base in Wellington, Wētā Workshop worked with New Zealand-based designers, musical composer, architects, and lighting designers to work alongside them during this unprecedented project. In collaboration with client Shambala, Taylor and Gao also art directed dozens of highly skilled Chinese creatives and technicians to complete the center. Taylor adds, 'This project is the cumulation of a near three-decade long relationship that I have had with China, and celebrates the strong creative exchange we have established with friends and colleagues in both countries.' The TCM Cultural Experience Center adds to Wētā Workshop's growing portfolio of immersive experiences work globally, with significant projects in New Zealand, China and the Middle East. About Wētā Workshop Wētā Workshop brings imaginary worlds to life by delivering concept design, physical effects, collectibles, immersive visitor experiences, creative media and digital games to the world's entertainment and creative industries. Established by Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger in 1987, they are best known for their screen work on The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, the Avatar films, District 9 and Dune to name a few. Their work in immersive visitor experiences, such as Gallipoli: The Scale of our War, Expo 2020 Dubai's Mobility Pavilion, Aura: Forest at the Edge of the Sky and Wētā Workshop Unleashed. Based in Wellington, New Zealand, Wētā Workshop's ground-breaking work has earned them multiple international awards including five Oscars and three THEA awards. About the TCM Cultural Experience Center The TCM Cultural Experience Center is the world's first large-scale TCM-focused experience that offers an immersive journey through an informative and visually unique experience. Designed by Richard Taylor, creative director, five-time Academy Award winner and co-founder of Wētā Workshop, the centre delivers a fantastical experience that celebrates in the culture, mythology, science and history of traditional Chinese medicine.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Wētā FX earns two Emmy nominations for visual effects work on House of the Dragon, The Last of Us
Wētā Workshop co-founder Sir Richard Taylor speaks about Lord of the Rings 20 years on from the final instalment of the trilogy. Video / Marty Melville Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Wētā FX earns two Emmy nominations for visual effects work on House of the Dragon, The Last of Us New Zealand visual effects company Wētā FX has landed two Emmy Award nominations for its contributions to two high production value television shows. The Wellington-based company's special effects for the second seasons of The Last of Us and House of the Dragon were recognised in the Outstanding Special Visual Effects category. 'Having our work recognised by our peers and the global entertainment community is something we deeply appreciate,' Matt Aitken, Wētā FX's head of visual effects (VFX), said in a statement. 'The nominations are testament to the outstanding quality of work contributed by everyone at Wētā FX and we couldn't be prouder to be adding to the rich history of these iconic series.' The House of the Dragon team's VFX supervisor Wayne Stables said he was 'honoured' to be recognised with VFX producer Marcus Goodwin on their team's behalf.
India.com
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Kannappa Advance Booking: Vishnu Manchu's Epic Saga Releases On June 25— Will It Get Rs 100 Cr Opening?
New Delhi: Kannappa is a Telugu mythological actioner directed by Mukesh Kumar Singh and produced by Mohan Babu. It is based on the legend of Kannappa - a devotee of the god Shiva. The film stars Vishnu Manchu in the title role. Supporting roles are played by Mohan Babu, R Sarathkumar, Arpit Ranka, Brahmanandam, Brahmaji, Siva Balaji, Kaushal Manda, Rahul Madhav, Devaraj, Mukesh Rishi, Raghu Babu, Preity Mukhundhan and Madhoo. Kannappa Advance Booking The countdown has begun for Kannappa - Vishnu Manchu's ambitious devotional action epic, with advance bookings opening on Monday, 23 June in North America and Wednesday, 25 June in India. Releasing globally on Friday, 27 June, the film is set for an unprecedented 5,400+ screen launch, positioning it among the widest Telugu film releases of all time. A Record-Breaking Launch 4,300+ screens across India, with all premium formats secured. 1,100+ screens overseas, including 200+ US premiere locations — the widest-ever for a devotional Telugu film. Backed by strong distributor advances and solid early demand, industry chatter suggests Kannappa could cross Rs 100 crore in global gross on day one alone. Vishnu Manchu, who leads and produces the film, shared, 'Our goal was always to take Bhakta Kannappa's devotion to every home. If audiences feel the love we've poured into this, the numbers will follow.' Big Names, Bigger Canvas A powerhouse ensemble featuring Akshay Kumar as Lord Shiva, with appearances by Mohanlal, Prabhas, and more, adds star strength to this spiritual saga. Enhanced by Wētā Workshop's VFX and a stirring score by Stephen Devassy, Kannappa promises an immersive experience steeped in mythology, emotion, and spectacle. Key Booking & Release Dates Territory/ Advance booking/ Release Date North America: Mon, 23 June; Fri, 27 June India: Wed, 25 June; Fri, 27 June
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Zealand airport's iconic Lord of the Rings giant eagle sculptures to be removed
Wellington Airport in New Zealand will be removing their iconic Tolkien-inspired giant eagle sculptures on May 9. The sculptures were created in 2013 by Wētā Workshop, known for working on props for many movies, including Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The airport announced it will be collaborating with Wētā Workshop once again to replace the displays.
NBC News
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Hobbit-themed eagle sculptures to depart New Zealand airport
For more than a decade, travelers at New Zealand 's Wellington Airport have been greeted by two Hobbit-themed sculptures of giant, hovering eagl es, one of which carried wizard Gandalf. Suspended from the roof by cables, the two towering figures were unveiled in 2013 to promote director Peter Jackson 's Oscar-winning 'Lord of the Rings' and Hobbit films, which were filmed in New Zealand over a period of 15 years. Each eagle weighs more than a ton and has a 50-foot wingspan, with a combined total of 1,000 feathers. The majestic birds originally served as rescuers and fighters in the fantasy adventure films, which are based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. The pair will say their last goodbye to visitors Friday and 'fly off into the sunset,' making space for a new display, the airport said Monday. The eagles' departure will be 'the end of an era,' Wellington Airport's chief executive Matt Clarke said. 'It's not unusual to see airborne departures from Wellington Airport,' Clarke said in a statement. 'But in this case, it will be emotional for us.' Though the sculptures have been a 'huge success' admired by travelers from around the world, it's the 'right time for them to fly the nest,' he added. Some travelers said they were saddened by the birds' departure. 'It breaks my heart,' Verity Johnson told The Associated Press on Monday as she sat beneath a grasping eagle claw in the food court. 'Please reconsider. Please bring them back, make them stay,' she said. Another passenger, Michael Parks, said that taking the eagles away would be 'un-New Zealand.' The two giant eagle sculptures will be disassembled overnight Friday evening and placed into storage. The long-term plans for them are still to be decided. They were made by Wellington-based Wētā Workshop, which created tens of thousands of props for Jackson's films, including armor, prosthetics, miniatures and weaponry. One of them fell down when a 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit New Zealand's North Island in 2014, but no one was injured, according to The New Zealand Herald. The airport is working with Wētā Workshop on a 'unique, locally themed replacement' for the eagles, Clarke said, to be revealed later this year. The magnificent New Zealand scenery showcased in the movies has drawn millions of international tourists, with the airport's eagle sculptures turning into an iconic feature. The films generated more than $770 million in international tourism revenue for New Zealand, contributing to a welfare gain of over $180 million for the country's households, research showed. Another sculpture of Smaug the Magnificent — the great dragon that torments Bilbo Baggins and his fellow travelers — will remain in the check-in area, where it was installed in 2014.
