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CITY LIFE | 城事

Digital artists bring ink-wash style to “Ne Zha 2” Read More 阅读多一点

艺术家注入水墨风格
Posing for a picture

“I was totally blown away right from the start!” with Ne Zha
When Ne Zha in the form of the “Fire Lotus” breaks
through the air holding a fire-tipped spear on the big screen, 与哪吒合个影
and flowing ink-wash is splashed amidst the surging flames,
the audience is instantly immersed in the grand narrative.
“The special effects are out of this world!” On social
media, netizens have been lavishly praising the visual feast
of Eastern aesthetics presented at the beginning of the film.
The “highlight moment” that lasts just a few seconds owes
its creation to the contribution of Yunnan digital artists.
With his distinctive digital ink-wash creative style and
proficiency, in 2022, Duan Lei, a member of the Digital Art posters featuring the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas for the
Committee of the China Film Art Direction Academy and film. “During the creative process, I drew inspiration from
vice director of the Yunnan Artists Association’s Committee the dragon depictions on the Nine-Dragon Wall in the For-
on Digital Media and Animation Art, was sought out by the bidden City. By positioning the dragons and the characters
director team of “Ne Zha 2”. He was tasked with designing along the central axis, I aimed to generate a powerful sense
the concept sketches for the film’s opening sequence. of oppression, thereby highlighting the grandeur and allure
During the three-year creative journey, Duan endured of the Four Dragon Kings of the Seas,” Duan explained.
countless rounds of revisions and adjustments. “Take the Now, witnessing the film’s box office skyrocketing and
Fire Lotus scene for example. Although it might only be receiving widespread acclaim from the audience, Duan is
on the screen for a mere two seconds in the film, I person- truly overjoyed. “I’m extremely thankful that in China,
ally revised it over 50 times. At one point, I even began to there exists such a team brimming with imagination, re-
question my own abilities,” Duan remarked with a tinge of markable execution capabilities, and a level of seriousness
sentiment. Eventually, through continuous coordination and bordering on ‘self-torture.’ It’s an honor for me to be a
collaboration with other artists, he managed to finalize the minute part of this top-tier IP. At present, my aspiration is to
concept original image of Ne Zha in the Fire Lotus form, leverage digital ink-wash techniques to create an IP that is
presenting a visually stunning and refreshing effect. uniquely from Yunnan. This is a dream that I’m committed
Moreover, Duan was also responsible for designing 4 to pursuing throughout my entire life,” he exclaimed.

Special effects artists “obsessed” with details

特效师“死磕”细节

“Ne Zha 2” has garnered widespread acclaim from both
the audience and professionals alike for its exquisitely
crafted animation special effects and stunning visual pres-
entation. This film boasts over 1,900 special effects shots
and more than 10,000 special effects elements. Notably,
within these special effects, the efforts of a Yunnan-based
team are evident. The name of Kunming Xianliti Culture Co
Ltd (shortened as “Xianliti”), a small-and-micro enterprise
in Yunnan, unobtrusively appears in the list of cooperative “Stop eating. Here I am to catch you.” Lately, in
companies at the end of the film. Xilin Community of Kunming City, a series of mu-
Xianliti was established by Jin Tao, a post-90s special ral paintings themed around “Ne Zha 2” and span-
effects artist hailing from Kunming, Yunnan. It stands as the through over a hundred iterations. Eventually, they brought ning an area of over 200 square meters have made a
first company in Yunnan dedicated to special effects produc- to life those minor details that are often overlooked by the spectacular debut. Children are often seen gathering
tion. Spanning from animations to advertisements, and from audience. Starting from merely handling the single hair in front of the mural of the groundhog, a character
animated series to movies, Xianliti’s business scope has and fabric calculation segment in 2022, to being capable from the film. With great enthusiasm, they reenact
been steadily expanding. In its early days, it took part in the of producing special effects shots for multi-dimensional the classic plot from the film and pose for pictures.
special effects production of popular animated series like scenes in 2024, Xianliti has experienced rapid growth “We hope that this mural can infuse more warmth
Perfect World. Moreover, in 2024, it contributed to over 800 through its collaboration on “Ne Zha 2”. Through continu- into the community and enable traditional culture
special effects shots in the hit drama “Moonlight Mystique”. ous trials and tribulations, the company and its team have to be integrated into everyone's life in a brand-new
In “Ne Zha 2”, Xianliti was in charge of over 20 shots amassed abundant experience. They have staged a come- manner,” said Chen Zheng, the mural designer.
involving hair and fabric physical simulation. Their goal was back, transitioning from being on the “periphery of the Notably, while maintaining the core essence of the
to make the characters’ sleeves in the film flutter in a natural industry” to becoming a “well-regarded team.” Currently, original work, the designer ingeniously incorporated
manner while maintaining the detailed wrinkles. Film director Xianliti is well-equipped to handle a TV drama project fea- local elements. For instance, the Jiaozi in Ne Zha’s
Jiaozi has exacting standards when it comes to special effects turing over 800 special effects shots. mentor Taiyi Zhenren’s bowl were replaced with
details. Even the arc of hair fluttering and the direction of Jin said, “In the realm of special effects shots, there Yunnan’s characteristic small-pot rice noodles. This
fabric wrinkles need to be precise down to the millimeter. For is no such thing as a distinction between large and small. creative touch has won extensive acclaim from tour-
instance, regarding the dynamic calculation of the beard of the There is only the original intention of respecting details. ists. Moreover, the height of Ne Zha in the mural
Immortal Elder (a key villain in the film), the team received We are like the magic Xirang earth in mythology. Despite was specifically designed to be in a proportion that
hundreds of suggestions for modification. A shot that would being small, it has the power to fill the sea and form land. is ideal for children to take photos, drawing numer-
typically be completed in a single day in an ordinary project Xianliti will persist in upholding its original aspiration, ous families to come and partake in the experience.
took as long as three months to perfect in “Ne Zha 2”. concentrate on the special effects module, and strive to As a result, the interactivity and entertainment value
This represents the most fundamental yet patience-trying build a top-tier special effects team in Yunnan that can rival of the mural have been further enhanced.
“needlework” within the film industry chain. The team went the best teams across the nation.”