Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521244
the life of wealthy expats from mainland China. The main set was a big mansion we found in Hong Kong that we redressed, but we built a separate ceiling piece at the sound stage to shoot the collapse scene. We also built an endless closet to show her extensive wardrobe. This space showcases the illusion of happiness while being oblivious to the helpers around these people. We decided to paint instead of using a photo for the family portrait on the wall, to symbolize how fake and fragile the actual family dynamics were. Hong Kong, the furnace of all things Hong Kong's captivating cultural elements serve as the backdrop to the narrative in Expats. The dangling bags of carnival goldfish in the market, the juxtaposition of domestic helpers alongside the luxurious shops of Central, and the towering Mei Foo housing estate—all contribute to the city's distinctive character and charm. Together, these elements paint a dynamic and multifaceted portrait of Hong Kong, reflecting its vibrant energy, cultural diversity and unique allure. They seamlessly intertwine with the journeys of the protagonists, providing a rich backdrop against which the characters' stories unfold. Episode five was vastly different from others, not only in length but because it focused on the sub- characters of the show, like Essie, Puri and other Hong Kong residents. Every Sunday, I went out to explore how the immigrant workers enjoyed their free time. I saw how they sang, gossiped, played games and ate together. The show's "picnic" was set on three locations in Central. It was extremely hard to work because the locations were in the main city, surrounded by all the luxurious shops, the middle of the road bridge and a public park in Hong Kong Island. We also needed a rain machine to recreate the typhoon, so we brought more than five hundred umbrellas and tarps for each individual group of maids. A. OLIVIA'S LIVING ROOM. HONG KONG LOCATION. SET PHOTO. B. WEN'S APARTMENT. HONG KONG LOCATION. SET PHOTO. C. HELPER'S PICNIC. HONG KONG LOCATION. SET PHOTO. D. WESTERN UNION. HONG KONG LOCATION. SET PHOTO. A C D B