New Zealand based production company NHNZ has started 2009 with six hours of programming in China and Asia in pre production and production, further cementing its reputation as the region's leading factual filmmaker.
A one hour special on the science behind the massive earthquake that killed just under 70,000 people in China's Sichuan province last year is in pre production along with an hour long show on Singapore's spectacular Marina Bay Sands building which is likely to be broadcast as part of the extremely popular Megastructures series. These programs will be co-produced with National Geographic Channels.
In addition production is underway on a further two 60-minute Megastructures programs featuring modern Chinese architectural accomplishments with shooting taking place at Guangzhou city's spectacular Canton Tower late last year.
NHNZ has also started work on two hour long Ancient Man Made Marvels programs which will feature Xian Ancient Armoured City and Giant Buddha.
NHNZ EVP of Development and Marketing Neil Harraway says the volume of work on the slate from China and Asia reflects almost a decade of relationship building in that region.
"China and Asia offer a vast repository of stories which the rest of the world is keen to see. NHNZ's reputation as a producer of quality television programming combined with our strong relations in China makes us the obvious choice for any broadcaster serious about providing viewers with an enlightening perspective on the area's history and people."
The edit suites at NHNZ are already in top gear with just over 60 production hours on the slate for the coming year. However the company's acquisition of a majority shareholding in Singapore based Beach House Pictures in 2008 along with its establishment of an office in Beijing seven years ago make it well placed to meet current demand.
"The team at Beach House have bolstered both our presence in Asia and our production capacity. Their local knowledge and connections makes it a powerful and extremely successful partnership," Mr Harraway says.