A drone delivers materials to film crews at Hengdian World Studios. [Photo/Jinhua Media Group]
A drone delivered hot coffee to film crews at Hengdian World Studios in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Dec 23, making the 2-kilometer journey in just over a minute. Drone deliveries, including meals and beverages, have become routine in Hengdian filmmaking.
The "Hengdian Film and TV Cultural Industry Brain" is at the core of this innovation, providing real-time updates on drone routes and film crew schedules. "This multi-faceted platform delivers efficient, high-standard services to crews," said Lu Xuping, deputy director of the Hengdian Film and TV Cultural Industry Cluster Management Committee.
This integration of culture and technology is vital to the success of Hengdian's film industry. Since its launch over four years ago, the "Industry Brain" platform has continued to evolve. This December, a new low-altitude smart delivery system was introduced, featuring AI-based visual obstacle avoidance, Beidou positioning, and 4G monitoring to ensure quick delivery of materials.
He Yifang, deputy director of the Management Committee's film and TV culture office, said plans are in place to establish a comprehensive drone network across the filming bases, creating a "low-altitude service circle".
Drones could also support roles such as "aerial lighting technicians", assist in delivering costumes and props, and conduct digital security patrols, further digitizing film production processes.
Technological advancements now span Hengdian's entire filmmaking process. The new underwater effects studio, opened in June, simulates deep-sea conditions, enhancing filming efficiency and safety with over 100 wave effects.
Hengdian now hosts 29 digital photo studios, building a network covering aerial, terrestrial, and underwater scenarios.
By bridging technology and filmmaking, Hengdian is reshaping the industry. "We are still promoting AI integration, like the AI film and TV ecosystem and service operation center that is now in trial operation," Lu added.
