Groundbreaking Collaboration Brings AI-Driven Musical to the Forefront

Red Empire Productions, a pioneering hybrid-AI studio, has joined forces with international production and distribution company Organic Media Group (OMG) to develop an original animated musical, ‘Alishan Escape: A Mandopop Ghost Adventure.’

This innovative project is inspired by Taiwan’s Ghost Month traditions, Buddhist philosophy, local Indigenous tribal cultures, and the global reach of Asian pop music.

At the helm of this creative endeavor are Amie Casey, founder and CEO of Red Empire Productions, and Steve Chicorel, co-founder of OMG and a seasoned screenwriter, producer, and songwriter.

‘Alishan Escape’ marks a significant milestone in the world of animation, as it seamlessly blends cinematic storytelling, original music, and hybrid-AI production techniques.

The story revolves around an international pop star who travels to Taiwan to complete an unfinished song written by her late parents. As she delves deeper into the island’s culture, she crosses into the world of the dead during Ghost Month and must find her voice – and finish the song – to return to the living before her concert begins.

The film’s narrative is a rich tapestry of contemporary Mandopop, ancient mythology, comedy, and supernatural adventure, set against the breathtaking landscapes and spiritual traditions of Taiwan.

Greg Manwaring, a veteran animator with over 35 years of experience, has joined the project, contributing to notable films such as ‘The Lion King,’ ‘The Iron Giant,’ ‘Pocahontas,’ and ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit.’

‘At Red Empire Productions, we believe the future of filmmaking belongs to creators who combine powerful storytelling with innovative production technologies,’ Casey emphasized.

‘Alishan Escape’ embodies this vision, offering an emotionally authentic, visually ambitious, and deeply rooted cultural experience that will captivate audiences worldwide.

Chicorel, a UCLA MFA-trained screenwriter and producer, has spent nearly two decades living in Taiwan, immersing himself in the island’s culture and traditions.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Chicorel has performed on a variety of instruments, including rock, folk, and world music, as well as traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu, pipa, and guzheng.

He has created the story, developed the feature treatments, and written the lyrics and original songs for ‘Alishan Escape,’ drawing inspiration from his love for Taiwan and its rich cultural heritage.

‘I’ve wanted to tell a Ghost Month story for years,’ Chicorel shared.

‘Living in Taiwan has allowed me to experience traditions, music, and spirituality that simply don’t exist anywhere else.

‘Alishan Escape’ is my love letter to Taiwan, a celebration of this remarkable culture that will resonate with audiences everywhere.

OMG, founded by Kelly Mi Li and Chicorel, has operations spanning Los Angeles, Taiwan, and Australia.

The companies are currently in discussions with a major studio’s animation division regarding continued development of the franchise.

Partnership and Collaboration

The creative team behind ‘Alishan Escape’ has developed feature treatments for the first two films in the proposed franchise, along with a temporary soundtrack featuring lyrics and music by Chicorel.

The project’s unique blend of AI-driven production and human creativity has caught the attention of industry professionals, with the companies in talks to partner with a major animation studio.

This groundbreaking collaboration between Red Empire Productions and Organic Media Group has the potential to revolutionize the world of animation, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and innovation.