SHANGHAI – Leading VFX and post house Fin Design+Effects has announced plans to open a new facility in Shanghai, end of September.
Fin Design+Effects Shanghai will be located in the picturesque French Concession, a short walk from Shanghai’s major agencies and production houses.
The facility will be fully resourced, offering Fin’s trademark award-winning VFX, 2D, 3D/CGI and editorial. The company will also provide grading services in conjunction with existing partner, Ben Eagleton (BE).
Fin will be the first Australian company of its kind to establish an operation in China, a move that Fin owner and managing director, Emma Daines, says is in direct response to client demand.
“We’ve been active in Asia for some time, successfully delivering Fin’s expertise to the market from our Sydney base, so it is a logical step for us to set up shop in Shanghai.”
“We have deep respect for China and it’s people, and we have always enjoyed doing business in Asia. We feel it is very important to show our commitment by establishing a strong and credible presence on the ground.”
“The most exciting part is that we are bringing the full force of Fin’s creativity to bear in Shanghai, and it will have the full backing of our operation in Sydney.”
Fin is relocating a skilled team to the new facility, including Executive Producer Billy Becket, Head of VFX Michael Smith and Head of 3D/CGI Tom Corbett. Fin will also be hiring Chinese nationals to round out the team.
Daines says taking on Head of Business for Asia Pacific, Stephen Douglas, was a pre-cursor to setting up the facility in Shanghai.
“Stephen’s years of experience doing business in Asia has helped us build a profile and platform in the region. With the Shanghai facility in action, Stephen will be spending more time in market, assisting with the development of the business.”
Douglas says, “China is a powerhouse economy and Shanghai has a dynamic and growing advertising market, making it the obvious choice for us as a hub for agencies and production companies.”
“It also makes sense because of its proximity to other key markets, such as Korea and Japan, being a 60 to 120 minute flight away”, he adds.
“We’re very much looking forward to working even more closely with our Chinese clients and extending Fin’s reputation and success further into Asia.”
