With major blockbusters like "Transformers", "Pirates of the Carribean", and the Harry Potter movies under his belt, Hong Jae-Chul knows a few things about special effects. As a specialist at Industrial Light and Magic, a division of Star Wars creator George Lucas's movie-making empire, he says that it will be challenging--but not impossible--for Korean movie studios to harness their own potential and make it in Hollywood.
"There are many Koreans doing very well in Hollywood, and people are acknowledging Koreans' artistic skills", said Hong, speaking at a technology and culture conference in Seoul, South Korea. "So it is not impossible for Koreans and Korean movie industries to do well in Hollywood".
According to Hong, Korean artists have already gained a positive reputation, despite having a long way to go.
"Koreans are very capable with their hands, and have a very delicate touch", he said, "so their skills are widely used in Hollywood".
But Hong also said that surviving this competitive industry isn't going to be a cake walk for anyone, especially newcomers.
"Working at ILM may seem great to Koreans, but it's actually not", Hong explained. It is possible, he said, but the key to finding success here is to understand the unique culture of Tinsel Town and the skills it demands. As additional advice to the burgeoning science fiction movie industry in Korea, he said that it took 100 years for America to gain wide public support for the genre. "Korea, too, is developing, but it hasn't developed fully yet. If producers and directors work hard to establish a stable system, it will be so great that even American movie makers would envy".
Hong also hinted at his willingness to work with Korean producers if he gets the chance. He wants to use his insider know-how and experience for the benefit of native Koreans and for the homegrown Korean movie industry.
Also speaking at Seoul's 2007 Cultural Technology Exhibition and Conference was director Eu-Jin Chung of Sony Pictures Image Work, a fellow promoter of special effects. "The digital effects add more flavors to movies and it is essential", he said. Chung pointed out that the American movie industry is now trying to make technology that is more efficient so that it earns more money while spending less.
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