Shaw rolls out busy production schedule

-from South China Morning Post (SANNEY: Thanks Tim.)

Ambrose Leung

Shaw Brothers is to pour 'unlimited' resources into movie-making, promising at least 20 new films a year with the hope of entering the United States market.

This follows a joint-venture investment of HK$700 million in June to buy land in Tseung Kwan O and develop a 600,000 square foot state-of-the-art studio.

Shaw Brothers managing director Mona Fong said after a shareholders' meeting, the market demand for films was so strong the company would focus on developing the new studio and film production.

'We will produce at least 20 new movies a year, depending on their size and scope. We are not setting an upper limit of money we are going to invest,' Ms Fong said. 'There is always a need for movies, especially when there are so many new media emerging. We will have no problem at all in selling our products.'

Shaw Brothers was going to focus on making action movies, and would target the US market.

Other sales channels included pay-television, compact disc and overseas distribution, Ms Fong said.

The first phase of the new studio would be complete and in operation by 2003, reaching its full capacity by 2005.

Shaw Brothers, owned by media mogul Sir Run Run Shaw, made at least HK$600 million earlier this year when it sold its entire film library to East Asia Filmed Entertainment.

Author: Black Tauna blktauna @ shawstudios . com