Bringing together experienced crews from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the UK with locally based, state of the art, special effects equipment
Pyrotechnics & Fire
Explosions and fire effects, including many ways to safely simulate explosions without using any explosive. Also includes squibs and body hits.
Mechanical Effects
Using physical means and rigging (including compressed air and hydraulics) to make things happen in a controllable, engineered way.
Atmospheric Effects
Wind, rain, snow and water effects, as well as smoke and dry-ice. We have the world’s best studio haze machines available to rent!
Miniatures & Miniature Effects
Creating realistic effects using miniatures (or larger than life models), to make large scale effects in a controllable and economic way.
Camera Rigs & Tabletop Rigging
Many macro style shots need well engineered rigs to create intricate effects. Often shot at high speed to slow down the action.
3D Mechanical Design
We design most of our mechanical rigs and many of our models in 3D to ensure all the details are perfect before we build them.
The story of Archipelago
Our team is comprised of a mix of Malaysian, Thai, German and Indonesian nationalities. We pride ourselves on our local knowledge and our local/regional approach.
Archipelago is led by Adam Howarth, a British special effects supervisor with 30 years experience in the industry, and who has been based in SE Asia for last 15 years. He is the only member of the Institute of Explosives Engineers to be based in Malaysia.
We have an ongoing commitment to train and use the local workforce as far as is possible, to invest in people, and help them aspire to the highest standards of quality and safety.
Now based at Iskandar Malaysia Studios in Johor, we have the best equipment, at the very best studios in the region.