Mission Accomplished: James Bond and the ‘Skyfall’ Team turn to Shimu for Shanghai Style

As one of the UK’s leading specialists in Chinese antique and oriental furniture we are often contacted by theatre groups and production teams to supply furniture or accessories for use as props in plays or films. The most recent occasion was just last week, when we had a call from the Royal Shakespeare Company asking if they could order some of our Wooden Pails and Calligraphy Brushes to be used in a forthcoming production of The Orphan of Zhao – the classic tale of revenge sometimes referred to as the ‘Chinese Hamlet’.

We have also been involved with big production movies, such as ‘The 47 Ronin’ due out next year and starring Keanu Reeves as one of band of Samurai out to avenge the death of their master. Shimu supplied 25 red lacquer folding stools to be used in one of the crucial scenes of the film – you can find out more and take a look at one of the stools in one of my previous posts.

Our biggest and most high profile project so far though, has to be working with the production team for Skyfall – the latest (and some are saying greatest) Bond film starring Daniel Craig. Much of the film is set in Shanghai and on an island off Macao, so Shimu was an obvious place to come for some of the oriental furniture and accessories required to turn the set at Pinewood studios, where much of the filming was done, into modern day China.

The buying team first contacted us around this time last year looking to source several items to be used in various scenes of the film and over the following months we supplied a whole range of pieces, many of which were produced to order through our workshop in Shanghai or through our suppliers in Beijing. Amongst these was a wooden towel rail – based on the robe hangers of ancient China and to be used in a scene set in a Macao hotel, as well as a number of antique stools and reproduction tables, plus brass hardware to accessorise a number of window panels.

The biggest challenge though was to provide dozens of lanterns in various shapes and sizes, based on the large wire and canvas lanterns that we sell as part of our range of oriental home accessories. The production team needed several of these made in a larger size than standard, as well as smaller table lanterns and light shades. The issue was that these had to be made and supplied to fit in with a very tight filming schedule, and with the Chinese New Year holiday fast approaching we just managed to get these finished and shipped, arriving on set the day before they were required.

The production team were delighted with the finished lanterns, which were to be beautifully lit for a scene set in Macao, overseen by the cinematographer and nine times Oscar nominee Roger Deakins. If you’ve watched the Skyfall trailer or have already been able to see the film then you will have spotted the lanterns and the final, stunning effect they have.

The biggest challenge though was to provide dozens of lanterns in various shapes and sizes, based on the large wire and canvas lanterns that we sell as part of our range of oriental home accessories. The production team needed several of these made in a larger size than standard, as well as smaller table lanterns and light shades. The issue was that these had to be made and supplied to fit in with a very tight filming schedule, and with the Chinese New Year holiday fast approaching we just managed to get these finished and shipped, arriving on set the day before they were required.

The production team were delighted with the finished lanterns, which were to be beautifully lit for a scene set in Macao, overseen by the cinematographer and nine times Oscar nominee Roger Deakins. If you’ve watched the Skyfall trailer or have already been able to see the film then you will have spotted the lanterns and the final, stunning effect they have.

 

Filming was completed some time ago and we thought our involvement with the movie was finished, only to be contacted last month by the event team organising the UK premiere, which takes place this evening at the Royal Albert Hall, to be attended by Prince Charles. At short notice we supplied several of our ‘Birdcage’ Floor Lamps and another 30 lanterns for the event, including 5 for the VIP room, to be seen by both British and Hollywood Royalty. I’m still just waiting for my invitation for the red carpet – should be arriving any time now.

Skyfall is on general release from Friday the 26^th October. Look out for the lanterns!