Award-winning VFX studio Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) is part of South Australia’s network of internationally renowned post production studios fuelled by the South Australian Film Corporation’s SA PDV Rebate incentive.
This year RSP celebrates 30 years of delivering world-class visual effects to Hollywood, exemplified by their recent work on Marvel Studios’ Thunderbolts* and Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Founded in 1995 over a beer at the Rising Sun Inn by cinematographer Tony Clark, Gail Fuller, Wayne Lewis and Steve Roberts, RSP was built on a vision that visual effects of the highest standard could be delivered from anywhere, even 13,149 kilometres (8,171 miles) from Hollywood – like Adelaide South Australia.
“As a trusted creative partner to its clients, Rising Sun Pictures is renowned for solving complex creative and technical challenges, continually pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in visual effects.”
RSP Executive Producer Ian Cope
RSP’s VFX work and market-leading innovation has received extensive recognition nationally and internationally, with nominations and awards from the Visual Effects Society (VES), Australian Effects & Animation Festival (AEAF), AACTA, BAFTA and the Academy Awards. In 2024 RSP was named overall Australian Exporter of the Year, and this year they will be inducted into the Australian Export Awards Hall of Fame.
Today the company boasts 350 staff across its Adelaide and Brisbane studios.
RSP has been a frequent collaborator of Marvel Studios, working on titles including Deadpool & Wolverine, The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. This strong foundation of mutual respect and creative trust set the scene for work on Thunderbolts*, where RSP contributed over 150 VFX shots across 10 dynamic sequences.
Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) also delivered over 200 visual effects shots for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, playing a pivotal role in some of the film’s most dynamic and visually complex sequences.
The team created a highly detailed CG recreation of Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya Crossing, complete with over 200 props, eight hero buildings and layered environmental effects like rain, fog, fire and embers. RSP also brought London to life, blending live-action footage with CG environments in a heist sequence featuring Big Ben, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, GUN HQ and a full CG Thames.
In one standout scene, RSP tackled a laser dance between Ivo and Gerald Robotnik. This required face replacements, reflective suits, and laser choreography to preserve Jim Carrey’s signature energy while achieving a surreal “mirrorball” aesthetic.
A strong slate has ensured that RSP maintains a steady flow of work for its South Australian workforce, recently wrapping on Happy Gilmore 2 and Mortal Kombat II and currently working on Wicked: For Good amongst several other projects still under wraps.
It’s all fuelled by the South Australian government’s SA PDV Rebate, administered by the South Australian Film Corporation, which offers a 10% rebate on the cost of post-production, digital and visual effects work undertaken in South Australia on eligible projects. The rebate can be combined with the Australian Federal Government’s 30% PDV offset to offer a total 40% rebate on all post-production work undertaken in the state.
RSP Business Development Manager Bree Whitford-Smith says that the SA PDV Rebate plays a “critical role” in attracting work to the company and ensuring that the South Australian sector remains globally competitive.
Last year it helped RSP significantly increase its revenue and employ 350 full time staff, including 30% international skilled migrants. Whitford-Smith says that compared to other states, claiming the rebate in South Australia is a very straightforward process for clients.
“South Australia’s clarity and consistency make it a far more attractive and reliable option for clients looking to base their work here.”
RSP Business Development Manager Bree Whitford-Smith
Whitford-Smith says in other regions where the incentives have undergone changes, the market has seen a significant drop in work and reduction to the workforce. RSP has seen this impact firsthand as projects have been redirected to studios like RSP. Whitford-Smith says the ongoing stability and support of the PDV Rebate means that South Australia’s VFX industry is “well-positioned to remain stable and, ideally, continue to grow.”
The benefits of the SA PDV Rebate are complemented by the “exceptional lifestyle” that South Australia offers, making it an attractive option for interstate and international talent, particularly those with families. International collaboration is made easy with direct and convenient flights from the state to global hubs, including Los Angeles.
“Looking ahead, we expect to see greater crossover between VFX and other industries, such as games, particularly in areas like machine learning and emerging technologies, which will open up new opportunities and skillsets for local talent.”
RSP Business Development Manager Bree Whitford-Smith
The SA PDV Rebate is just one of a range of innovative funding incentives offered by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC). To find out more, visit https://www.safilm.com.au/incentives/
