Digital Domain 3.0 created a virtual Teresa Teng for a concert in Taiwan this weekend, similar to the holographic Tupac created for Dr. Dre’s show at the 2012 Coachella music festival. Some 15,000 fans were stunned to see a computer-generated likeness of the iconic Taiwanese Chinese singer who passed away in 1995, delivering a surprise performance as part of pop star Jay Chou’s “Opus 12” shows, Sept. 6-8 at the Taipei Arena.
Virtual Teresa Teng performed three songs in an original duet with Chou, his hits “Red Tavern” and “Thousand Miles Away” and her hit “What You Have to Say.”
The performance came together through the Teresa Teng Foundation. Chou and his producers were moved by the unexpected appearance of the Digital Domain-created virtual Tupac at the 2012 Coachella music festival and the worldwide excitement it created. They envisioned a touching performance by a virtual Teng as a fitting tribute to the legendary performer that would also be a perfect fit for the high-tech “Opus 12” show. They approached Frank Teng chairman of the Teresa Teng Foundation, and brother of the late singer to propose the idea. Simultaneously, Hong Kong company Sun Innovation brought the idea of having the artists at Digital Domain that created virtual Tupac, create a virtual Teresa Teng for the Foundation. The groups came together to produce the performance.
Frank Teng took an active role in the creation of the performance, spending weeks with the artists at Digital Domain, guiding them on expressions, physicality and mannerisms to get the digital likeness to look and perform just like his sister.
“Teng’s guidance was invaluable,” Digital Domain visual effects supervisor and animation director Steve Preeg said. “When friends and relatives get involved it’s no longer a project; it’s family. Our goal was to honor Teresa Teng – as a singer and as a person. If her family and fans feel that her personality came through in the performance then we did our jobs.”
“The huge, positive response to Virtual Teresa Teng in Taiwan demonstrates the global appeal of this type of entertainment,” Digital Domain 3.0 CEO Daniel Seah said. “We are honored to have had the opportunity to apply Digital Domain’s creative leadership to honor an artist as beloved as Teresa Teng and look forward to bringing new experiences of iconic performers to fans all over the world.”
