ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA— Rising Sun Pictures, which has produced visual effects for such films as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts I & II) and Green Lantern, has hired Mark Patterson as Head of Production and Development for its new production division, Rising Sun Entertainment. Patterson, who has a deep background as a film producer, executive producer and development executive, will develop film projects with Rising Sun participating as either producer or co-producer.

 

“Mark has a lot of experience as a producer, he knows the market well, and he is well respected in the Australian film community and internationally,” said Rising Sun Pictures CEO Michael Taylor. “We are very happy to have him help us with this new venture.”

 

Rising Sun Pictures is seeking to partner with productions companies, both in Australia and internationally, on film projects with a strong visual effects component. It will also develop its own original film projects. “This is a great opportunity for Australian and international producers to partner with a world-class visual effects producer and use its experience to assist in developing, financing and producing films,” Patterson said. Patterson added that he expects the new venture to benefit from the Australian government’s recently expanded tax incentives for film productions.

 

Patterson most recently served as producer on The Dragon Pearl, an Australian/Chinese co-production set for release later this year. Rising Sun Pictures produced visual effects for the film. His other credits include the films Innocence (Paul Cox, director), Human Touch (Paul Cox, director). He served as executive producer for the television documentary The Remarkable Mr. Kaye and produced the feature documentary Kalaupapa Heaven.

 

Additionally, Patterson formerly served as Head of Development for the South Australian Film Corporation and FilmSouth.