June 9

Top selling animation imported from Hollywood usually failed in China theater exhibition.  The 1995 “Lion King” held the animation record in China at RMB40 million for 13 years, until “Kungfu Panda” exhibited in 2008 accumulated RMB170 million.  Without local cultural factors embedded, animation is likely to be regarded as children’s show, which lack attraction for theater business as ticket is sold half price.

June 8

Beijing Axis 3D Technology Co., LTD, an animation and game producer located in Pinhai High-tech Development Zone of Tianjin, hired 5 re-known game designers from the USA.  These specialists will help develop and export games with Chinese epic concept and western top-notch technology.  Total of RMB50million will be invested each on development and promotion.

June 7

Film producer and distributor, H.Brothers, launched their 1st cinema theater in Chongqing.  This is the 1st full 3D theater in China, with 1500 seats. Another 6~8 theaters to be launched by H. Brothers this year, utilizing up to RMB13 billion investment fund from market cap.  By 2012, another 15 theaters will also be commissioned.

June 4

China Film Stella quietly signed 2 IMAX theaters during Shanghai Expo.  One will be in Shanghai (July15, 2nd available), another in Beijing (early next year).  This will be Shanghai 2nd IMAX screen, and Beijing 3rd.  Each IMAX screen can generates at least RMB 300K per day, currently there are less than 10 IMAX screens in China.

June 3

1st quarter financial reporting revealed that game industry in China, particularly the newly public listed corporate that dominated 80% Chinese on-line game market, are suffering from slower growth and profitability decline.  Lacking new product introduction and over relying on regenerating old games resulted in slipping of customer’s attention.  On the other hand, start-up creative companies are surging at 200%-300% growth with aggressive game introduction.

Southeast Asia

June 8

Singapore will host BradcastAsia, a leading trade event for the broadcasting and media industry, in mid June.  This event will be participated by 41 countries, along with 121 Singaporean companies which grew by 27% participation rate.  In this event future of media technology and services across TV, mobile and internet platforms will be exhibited, also including innovative products like Window Phone 7 and HD Outdoor Broadcast van.

June 2

Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) reported its Media Fusion Plan doubled the operating receipts growth in media sector to SD22.4 billion in 2008 over 8 years, with employment increased by 30% to 60k over jobs.  Its interactive digital media researches added 28 patents and SD1.3 billion revenue, with compounded 25% growth since 2005.  ScreenSingapore, an international cinema event to be hosted by Singapore in June 2011, will reinforce Singapore’s position as global media capital by providing a platform to exchange ideas and business opportunities.

May 27

2010 1st quarter of China film exhibition revenue is at RMB3 billion. Investment from various sources are pouring to film making business, as year-end accumulated revenue is forecasted to break RMB10 billion.  In contrast to previous funding for film, where internal sourcing is usually up to 90%, the recent trend involved bank, government, and from other industries, increasing the risk of investment due to bubble effect.

May 25

China State Administration of Radio Film & Television mentioned in Asia Media Summit held in Beijing, May 25, that China has built one of the world’s most populous radio and television coverage.  Currently, China runs 251 radio stations, 272 TV stations, 2087 radio-television stations, covering over 96% of population.  China will further speed up the development of digital technologies in order to upgrade traditional and new media, along with the improvement of transmission safety level.

Southeast Asia

May 26

Yahoo! acquired Indonesia mobile web link company, Koprol.  As the demand for mobile web services is increasing, Koprol unique capability in inter-connecting its members from mobile to PC for information services becomes very attractive.  Yahoo! intended to introduce this locally developed technology for worldwide usage.

Hong Kong & Taiwan

May 27

Taiwan mobile service provider, Far EasTone (FET.net), launched “Taiwan-Business99” communication package prior to the signing completion of ECFA: Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement between China and Taiwan.  This package, only available to Beijing, Shanghai, and another 3 province area, allows Taiwanese business man to save up to 70% using their mobile to call locally in China and back to Taiwan. FET.net expects double digit growth in 2010 revenue.

May 25

5-day event “Hong Kong Films Retrospective 2010” is organized by Hong Kong Film Development Council in Guangzhou.  The purpose is to promote appreciation of Hong Kong movies in China, and 20 representatives Hong Kong films are to be shown, sponsored by China officials and Hong Kong film and media industries.

May 20

2009 revenue from TV advertisement in China reached 67.6billion RMB, or 11% growth.  Top 5 cities in TV advertisement revenue are Guangdong , Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hunan.  Morgan Stanley exclaimed 2010 will be an even better year for advertisement industry in China, especially from the new media sectors.  Estimated 2010 revenue for Web TV advertisement could reach 24 billion RMB, or 22% growth.

May 19

Major cinema chain China Film Stella applied bankruptcy to court on money losing subsidiary, China Film Group United Film & TV Co., Ltd, and selling 40% of its share on Beijing China Film First Film Production Co., Ltd, as part of restructuring process in order to speed up its listing process within the year.

May 17

25 metropolitan TV stations in China signed memorandum to form alliance in sharing common operating platform for collaborative web TV.  The collaboration allows efficient resources usage and wide range broadcasting, and the web TV is expected to be ready for browsing 6 months later.

May 17

China plans to invest up to RMB200 billion by 2012 to construct the world largest digital entertainment center in Shijinshan District of Beijing.  Over the 17 km2 area, related enterprises are invited to participate in the development plan on game center, research facility, exhibition gallery, film production, and business corridors.

May 13

TV drama distribution right fees in China increased by 100 times in 5 years for web broadcast, from 2005 RMB300k to 2010 RMB3 million.  The new 60-episode “Odyssey To The West” was sold at highest price RMB16.8 million in March, average RMB280K per episode.  Web companies are earning at billions RMB, thus it is likely that an episode of TV drama will be sold at RMB1 or 2 million in the near future due to fierce competition.

May 12

World largest social network web company, Facebook, initiated head-hunting for Google executive and engineers in China as early as April, after Google announced to pull out from China.  Such recruitment, which range from CEO to engineering positions, indicated that Facebook is preparing for market penetration to China off-shoring.  Meanwhile, Google recently initiated hiring engineer from Nintendo and acquired Israeli game developer, indicating Google future development focus in game sector.

Southeast Asia

May 17

Recent years alliance and funding linked to Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) for film collaborative development included Fortissimo Film Development Initiative (FDI), Tiger Gate partnership at USD1.1 billion, Hyde Park-Imagenation at USD75 million, Infinite Framework production fund USD20 million, and Hong Kong Salon Integrated Media Fund at USD70 million.

May 13

Culture, Communication and Multimedia Minister of Malaysia announced RM200 million fund to support software development with “Malaysianisation” touches.  The initiative was inspired with the Korean success in localizing information technology, which could be more suitable and efficient for domestic needs.  The Infrastructure and Communication ministry however, highlight the nation needs more attention in upgrading internet services to avoid cyberspace disruption.

May 12

Singapore-Australia co-produced stereoscopic 3D film, “Bait”, will start shooting in July.  This film is partially financed by Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) through International Film Fund (IFF), based on Australia-Singapore Co-production Treaty signed in 2007.  Singapore 3D specialists Widescreen Media and Blackmagic Design will support the visual effects on filming and post-production.

Hong Kong & Taiwan

May 13

Microsoft will work closely with Taiwanese restaurant partners to help branding its new products, such as Window 7, for fast market penetration.  Small and medium enterprises, which totaled 1.23 million companies occupying 97.7% of Taiwan enterprises, conduct vast of their business discussions in restaurants.  The idea was leveraging from experience in France, where Microsoft tied up with local café for marketing promotion.

May 5
The 6th Chinese International Animation Industry Signing Ceremony was conducted in Hangzhou, the top Chinese city for animation development with 35 titled production totaled 27,409 minutes since 2009.  Nationally number 1 animation producer from Hangzhou, Manchi Animation Creation, commented current China animation industry is worth RMB18 billion, in contrast to potentially undeveloped RMB100 billion opportunities.  In 2009, national animation production is at 322 titles, which grow by 40 times compared to 6 years ago, and 79 of those titles exported with time length slightly over half of TV program export net 1490 hours.

 May 5
China-USA co-production “Empire of the Deep”, or known as “Mermaid Island”, is currently taking place in China with the 3D film making invested up to USD150 million, recorded high in China.  3D special effect director is directly sourced from “Avatar”.

 Southeast Asia

May 6
Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) will co-invest in total of SD10 million to International Film Fund and International Animation Fund on qualified projects worldwide by summer 2010. As of current, MDA is promoting 102 film projects, a 25% increase compared to last year, to Cannes Film Market in mid of May.  Also, a 3-year SD20 million is funded to globalize Singapore game industry.

Hong Kong & Taiwan

Apr 30
Leading Taiwan cinema chain, Vieshow Cinemas, launched 2nd IMAX theater in Southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung, after its 1st success IMAX setup in Taipei a year ago.  This new setup at NTD50 million, signal the continual partnership to build another 6 IMAX theater all over Taiwan by 2012.

Chengdu and Xi’an screen-visit ratio ranked top in China at 0.25 screen/10,000 visitors, far exceeding the general perception on Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

 Apr 26

A source sited Disney Channel to possibly start broadcasting in China, after approval of Shanghai Disney obtained.

Apr 28

Newly formed China Film Copy Right Association will soon collect fees from web café and long distance buses. Estimated annual lump is RMB1.3billion.

The association was recently formed in Apr 16, 2010 but its previous establishment, a loosely formed association to protect film production members’ right, was in 2005.  Based on China regulation on fees collection and copy right, this body consolidates the related film distribution industry for collective management.

Apr 29

Hengdian Group, top tourist film town constructor, intended to invest RMB3 – 6 billion in film facilities, over the next 5-10 years.  The plan includes construction of 300~500 screens, making Hengdian to be top 3 film theater chain in China.  In 2009, Hengdian started theater chain with 10 over complex built and 1^st year visitors reached 3.2 million.

Apr 29

Calloping Horse Group, in observed with its recent success in film business, signed with shopping mall chains Vanguard to construct 20 over cinema complex at 6000 m2 each in China.  By 2016 there will be near 200 screens in total belonging to the group.

Apr 29

IMAX expansion plan in China by 2012 included building another 20 over cinema theaters. Each theater contract is at least RMB9 million including facility construction, personnel training, maintenance, etc.  Film distribution fees would be around 3%-15% of movie releasing revenue, depending on location.  Currently there are 14 IMAX theaters in China, that is 0.4% of total screen yet revenue contribution from “Avantar” alone is 8%.

http://www.giftshow.co.jp/tigs/artistvision/iyasakadofilm.htm

“Variety” has been published since 1905 and highly influential on the US entertainment industry because of its high quality of journalism and information-gathering ability.

Avanti and White Notes will enhance research and consulting activities by leveraging the global network based on this alliance.

White Notes takes this occasion to make greater effort to live up to your expectation.

White Notes always appreciates your continuing support for its activities.

About “VARIETY JAPAN”, visit http://www.varietyjapan.com/

Iyasakado film,in which White Notes invested, produced the animation “Mofy”, the character created by Aki Kondo who designed Rilakkuma.

Ｉｔ can be seen on the following site.

http://www.scp.co.jp/mofy/

About “ACT LEAGUE” , visit    http://www.actleague.com/

]]> http://www.whitenotes.jp/en/?feed=rss2&p=66 0 http://www.whitenotes.jp/en/?p=138 http://www.whitenotes.jp/en/?p=138#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:34:39 +0000 whitenotes http://www.whitenotes.jp/en/?p=138 The animation DVD “Kaitei Mikan no Kawa Mile” produced by Iyasakado Film, in which White Notes invested, will be released from Ace Deuce inc on 4/17/2009.

It has also been available on Yahoo! Douga, GyaO, and NikoNiko Douga.

It is also available on the following site.

http://animeanime.jp/news/archives/2009/02/dvd417.html