In the NewsNational Palace Museum opens to filmmakers
Taiwan’s National Palace Museum will soon reverberate with the sounds of directors barking “lights, camera, action” following a decision to greenlight filming inside the world-class facility. “This is an important step forward in promoting the museum,” said Lee Ming-jin, head of the NPM’s Department of Marketing and Licensing, March 12. “People from around the world will now be able to better appreciate the beauty of Taiwan’s national treasure.” Although local and overseas TV dramas and documentaries have been shot inside the NPM before, Lee said feature-length filmmakers were shut out in an effort to protect the museum's priceless artifacts from damage caused by prolonged periods of harsh lighting. “The museum now welcomes moviemakers to apply for shooting permits,” he said. “Applications must be submitted one month in advance and we require the use of cold-light ultraviolet irradiation devices to shoot light-sensitive objects such as the jade cabbage, meat-shaped stone and ancient atlas.” Jennifer Jao, director of the Taipei Film Commission, said the NPM’s new filming policy will bring in more tourists and business opportunities. “For example, ‘The Da Vinci Code’ helped triple visits to France’s Louvre museum,” she said. “The potential benefits for the NPM and Taiwan tourism are unlimited.” Echoing Jao’s remarks, TFC Production Manager Tu Ting-hsuan said the museum’s decision will see domestic and international filmmakers look to include the facility in their scripts and as shooting locations. “The NPM’s distinctive architectural exterior and park have already appeared in South Korean TV dramas and Bollywood productions,” he said. “More stories based on the facility are sure to come.” NPM statistics reveal that the museum recorded over 2.5 million visits last year, making it one of the most popular attractions in Taiwan. (PCT-JSM) (This article originally appeared in the “United Daily News” March 13.) |
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