"Ne Zha 2", a cinematic marvel that dazzled audiences with its captivating storyline and stunning visual effects, has thrived on the technical prowess and assistance provided by 138 domestic teams.
Taking five years to refine, the film was released during the Chinese New Year on Jan. 29 and has shattered multiple box office records.
One of the key players in the creation of "Ne Zha 2" was an animation production company based in Nanjing City, east China's Jiangsu Province.
The company was responsible for the design and production of many of the iconic characters and memorable scenes featured in the film. Through meticulous modeling and intricate special effects, the team dedicated nearly a year to perfecting a four-minute showstopping battle sequence in the film.
"At present, we are in the midst of producing two major animated films, both undergoing intense development. In the past, it took a significant amount of time to gradually integrate individual elements into a cohesive scene. Now, with the advent of new technologies, we can open a scene in less than a minute," said Wu Chunhui, visual effects director of the company.
Animator Di Zixin, whose contributions were integral to "Ne Zha 2", emphasized the importance of acting skills in animation. By recording her movements and aligning them with the character's personality and storyline, she brought authenticity and depth to the characters.
Several companies in Shenzhen City of south China's Guangdong Province also participated in the production of "Ne Zha 2".
A film company located in Nanshan District was responsible for one of the stunning waterfall effects. The effect involved large-scale water calculations, so the team developed an automated program for the waterfall production process. Through the joint effort and continuous iteration from team members, they successfully created a more realistic and visually appealing waterfall.
Another company located in Longgang District participated in the production of both "Ne Zha" films, completing many high-difficulty special effects shots.
"This special effect was a carpet bombing-style effect, and we spent a lot of time and cycles working on it. We collaborated with the director and producers for a long time. From beginning to end, it took at least three months to create this single effect," said Li Shusong, visual effects director of Shenzhen Rock Visual Effects Tech. Co., Ltd.
"Ne Zha 2" has surpassed "Jurassic World" to claim a spot among the nine highest-grossing films of all times, with global earnings, including pre-sales, exceeding 12.12 billion yuan (about 1.67 billion U.S. dollars), according to data from a ticketing platform as of Monday afternoon.
Special effects expertise elevates 'Ne Zha 2' cinematic brilliance
