EXCLUSIVE: MakerVille, the recently established entertainment subsidiary of Hong Kong media group PCCW, will impress Filmart and unveil an ambitious line-up of films and premium series following its debut film Crazy Destinywhich celebrated its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival.
Lofai Lo, CEO of MakerVille and former general manager of ViuTV, PCCW’s free-to-air channel, spoke with Deadline to go through the list and outline the company’s production strategy. In addition to films with international appeal, for which Hong Kong has long been known, he aims to introduce local creators to a series of high-quality Cantonese and Mandarin-language television series that can be distributed outside of Hong Kong.
“We produce around 2,000 hours of programming per year for ViuTV, and although most of it is aimed at the local market, we have been able to create an incubator structure where we can experiment with new ideas, directors and scripts,” explains Lo.
“Through this process we have been able to select a number of promising talent and create a pipeline of premium content. But we are also an open platform in the sense that we work with some experienced filmmakers such as e.g [Mad Fate director] Soi Cheang and some fresh out of college. That’s why we’re called MakerVille – no matter what your level of experience, we want to be the place where filmmakers can come together and create together.”
On the series side, MakerVille is partnering with its new Crazy Destiny Co-producer, Johnnie To’s Milkyway Image, on fantasy drama Three destinies (working title), which currently has ten episodes. Written by Ho Ching Yi (Time) begins the series with a teenager facing big life decisions, then outlines three different scenarios for his future based on the different choices he could have made.
Three emerging Hong Kong filmmakers – Jeff Cheung (Agent Mr. Chan), Vicky Wong (Trivisa) and Jonathan Li (The edge) – is on board to helm the series, which also stars Ernesto de Sousa, Chan Kwok Pong and Chrissie Chau. Johnnie To and his longtime producing partners Yau Nai-hoi and Elaine Chu will produce.
MakerVille is also producing a 20-episode series, A perfect gentleman (working title) about a gangster released from prison after 30 years who struggles to adapt to modern life with its new technology and the changes in triad culture. “There will be some humor in it, but more like a black comedy because there is still a gangster story underneath,” says Lo.
The ensemble cast consists of Philip Keung (shock wave), Jessica Hsuan (G storm), Angie Cheong and members of Hong Kong boy band Error, who run MakerVille. Chan Kiu-ying and Patrick Leung are on board as producers.
MakerVille is also the talent management agency for Hong Kong’s biggest boy band Mirror and is preparing a film Our Twelvefeaturing all 12 members of the cantopop sensation, some of whom have already made their acting debuts in hit films.
“It’s not easy to write a story with 12 strong characters, not just a few main characters and a lot of supporting characters, so we’re working with a writer who’s been with the guys for five years,” says Lo. Written by Cheung Lai Sze, the film will be directed by Berry Ho, who has also worked with the band on music videos, and produced by George King.
On the film side, MakerVille is also working with Singapore-based MM2 Entertainment on Sen-I Yu’s New York drama. My heavenly citywith Vivian Sung and Mirror member Keung To.
Meanwhile, the first production of MakerVille, Soi Cheang Crazy Destiny, was selected as one of two opening films at this year’s Hong Kong International Film Festival (March 30 to April 10) after premiering at the Berlinale Special. Lam Ka Tung and Mirror member Lokman Yeung make their acting debuts in the noir thriller. “We got a good response to Lokman’s performance in Berlin, which gives us confidence to continue developing stories for other idols,” says Lo.
MakerVille and Hong Kong free-to-air ViuTV are both subsidiaries of PCCW Media Group, along with national streaming platform Viu, but Lo says those relationships don’t limit who the company can work with. While MakerVille will produce premium content for Viu, the company is also free to partner with other regional and global streamers. MakerVille is also establishing an international sales division to license its content internationally, led by Regent Lai, director of international sales and marketing.
“The plan is to produce around five films and 10 series each year, each with a regional or international focus,” explains Lo. “We have not set any guidelines on genre or demographics as we focus more on stories and filmmakers. We have data to refer to, but we believe that as audiences continue to evolve, it is more important to identify content that is fresh and unique.
Viu has its own separate production pipeline, including local language dramas from Korea and Southeast Asia, which will be shown alongside the MakerVille tablet in a showcase at Filmart on Wednesday (March 15).
Source: Deadline
Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
