Ningbo-based company contributes to Ne Zha's success

Visual special effects company Point Cloud Culture Co Ltd – located in Ningbo city in East China's Zhejiang province – is said to have really left its mark on the Chinese blockbuster animated film Ne Zha: Demon Child Conquers the Sea, or Ne Zha 2, with its impressive work.

At the helm of the outfit is Zhu Lingfan, a young entrepreneur whose journey from forestry and Japanese studies to animation might seem unconventional.

But Zhu's love for video games and his desire to delve into their intricacies led him to found Point Cloud with two childhood friends in 2016. Starting with just four employees, the company has grown steadily.

Though it initially specialized in creating game skins and promotional videos, Zhu recognized that films offered a greater canvas for their creativity and ambition.

For Ne Zha 2, Point Cloud was responsible for crafting the environmental special effects for the climactic underwater battle scene. The 20-member team dedicated over eight months to the project.

Using advanced physical simulations and dynamic effects, they meticulously designed elements such as magma, seawater, smoke and the destruction of architectural props.

Ne Zha 2 is a collaborative hit film involving 138 Chinese animation studios and the Point Cloud people say they were proud to be a part of it.

Zhu emphasized that their contributions amounted to around two minutes of screen time, showcasing their hard work and marking a milestone for Chinese animated films.

Looking ahead, the company aims to expand its horizons, covering the entire animations production pipeline. They dream of participating in major film projects as producers and even developing their own games and IP, further cementing their place in the animation industry.