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Flying-Cam, a close range aerial shooting technology company, has announced the opening of an office in Cyberport - its first in Asia - named Flying-Cam Asia. Since its establishment in 1988, Belgium-based Flying-Cam has become the world leader in close range aerial filming, using unmanned helicopters.
¡§Today, Asia, China particularly, is one of the most exciting emerging markets in the world," the President and Founder of Flying-Cam, Mr Emmanuel Previnaire, said. "Located in the heart of Asia, Hong Kong assures us strategic access to the vast Asian market from a world-class regional centre. Hong Kong offers highly skilled managerial, technical and creative manpower operating in a fair and friendly business environment with low taxes and excellent infrastructure. In addition, English is widely spoken and understood, and I love the city!¡¨
With three crews based in Belgium (Liege), USA (Santa Monica) and now Hong Kong, Flying-Cam will be able to provide full and timely support to clients around the world. Eight Flying-Cam helicopters are available from these three international bases to go to any place in the world with 48 hours¡¦notice.
Flying-Cam has filmed in more than 45 different countries for more than 700 clients. The company was involved in the film productions of Harry Potter and James Bond series, and many more films and commercials.
Flying-Cam is more than a technical filming company. Although well acclaimed in the motion picture industry, Flying-Cam has participated in the production of TV and electronic field productions for live broadcast, documentary, industrial and institutional production and exercises including civil protection programmes such as NASA¡¦s programmes: ¡§Global HASMAT Response Technology¡¨ and DART ¡§Disaster Assistance Rescue Team¡¨.
The Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mike Rowse, welcomed the addition of another international market leader in the film industry to Hong Kong. ¡§The Hong Kong Government recognises the importance of the creative industries in strengthening our competitiveness in today's international business arena, and we are committed to build a favourable environment for these industries to prosper in Hong Kong," Mr Rowse said. "It is particularly encouraging for us to see international players like Flying-Cam choosing Hong Kong as their regional base and bringing in innovative technologies, creative ideas and specialised skills. The availability of the company¡¦s services will further enhance Hong Kong¡¦s overall offering and attract even more market players to invest in Hong Kong.¡¨
Mr Previnaire also said, ¡§With a third office opened in Hong Kong, our accessibility will be greatly enhanced. This will allow the entertainment industry in Asia to access the best technology in close range aerial filming.¡¨
The aeronautical design, quality of manufacture, safety features and maintenance procedures of the Flying-Cam are equivalent to the standards used in general aviation. The vehicle has all the characteristics required for safe operation even in the middle of a city or close to major actors.
In 1995, Emmanuel Previnaire received an Academy Award for Technical Achievement by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his pioneering concept and development of mounting a motion picture camera on a remote controlled miniature helicopter. For more information about Flying-Cam, please visit the website at http://www.flying-cam.com.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 10:00
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