Award-winning independent creative studio Heckler has officially opened a new studio in Shanghai, marking a significant expansion in the Asia-Pacific creative landscape. The move strengthens Heckler’s presence in one of Asia’s most dynamic creative hubs and reinforces its commitment to delivering world-class post-production, design, and visual effects services across the region.
Heckler Shanghai also represents a long-awaited reunion of three of China’s most respected industry leaders: Lily Li, Barry Greaves, and Steven Marolho. The trio brings together more than a decade of combined experience in shaping China’s production and visual effects industry. Their previous collaborations include founding Smoke & Mirrors Shanghai, launching MPC Shanghai, and leading The Mill Shanghai. Under the Heckler banner, they are returning to work together, combining their extensive expertise to take the studio to new heights in Asia.
According to Will Alexander, Co-Founder and CEO of Heckler, Shanghai has always been a creative lightning rod for the region, and with Lily, Barry, and Steve leading the new chapter, the studio is reinvigorating a culture built on artistry, independence, and fearless craft. The Shanghai studio is seen as Heckler’s boldest statement yet, reflecting the studio’s vision of pushing creative boundaries while remaining true to its core values.
Founded in Sydney in 2010, Heckler has earned international acclaim for its post-production, design, and visual effects work for clients such as Apple, Netflix, Mercedes-Benz, Amazon, Riot Games, and Coca-Cola. The launch of the Shanghai studio establishes a strong creative bridge to Heckler Singapore, forming a dynamic independent network in Asia that emphasizes collaboration, speed, and innovative thinking.
Heckler Shanghai combines world-class visual effects, design, and finishing pipelines with advanced security and AI-assisted workflows. As Jamie Watson, Co-Founder and CCO, explains, artificial intelligence is not replacing creativity but amplifying it. The studio thrives where technology meets humanity, allowing artists to push the limits of storytelling while maintaining the soul of their work.
The leadership team emphasizes that the Shanghai expansion is not only about growing the studio’s capabilities but also about fostering a new era of creative production in Asia. Lily Li highlights the freedom to make bold, beautiful work on their own terms, while Steven Marolho underscores the importance of showing up for clients, the team, and each other, maintaining the high standard of creative excellence the partners have built their careers around. Barry Greaves describes Heckler as the studio they always wanted to build, one that prioritizes people over process and values creativity and collaboration above all else.
With its arrival in Shanghai, Heckler signals a new chapter for independent creative production in Asia, aiming to push culture forward, champion craft, and demonstrate that independence is a superpower. The studio positions itself as a creative heartbeat for the region, led by a team of seasoned leaders who continue to believe in the magic of making.
