Archive for May, 2008
Getting Indian Animation Right. Why is it such an uphill task?
The world waits eagerly for animated films that the US makes. European countries have had a long standing tradition of animation. Our Asian neighbours like Japan and Korea have also managed to get it right. Then why has it been so tough for India to achieve true animation success?
There are some obvious factors and then there are other reasons which we tend to overlook. As we stand on the threshold of a new chapter for Indian animation, now is the time to take stock and to honestly assess ourselves.
- One of the most common issues that studios raise every time the topic is broached is the severe lack of ‘quality’ talent. India has a rich history and culture of both art and story-telling. Then why is it that we fail so miserably when we need to combine the two? Should we blame the so-called ‘talentless’ animators or the ones who are supposed to have trained them? It is sad but true that many of our institutions, even famous ones, have failed our animators.
- India is a smorgasbord of myriad cultures. We have 22 languages recognized by the constitution and thousands of dialects. It is next to impossible then to group the audience and adhere them to a common cultural trend. Very few live-action films have met with nation-wide audience approval and applause. You only have to look at the regional film culture to see the diversity. Compare the films in Marathi, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Gujarati, Tamil and Kannada. They are all significantly different from each other. If, after so many decades of film-making, live-action regional films have not met with pan-Indian success, how can we expect ‘one formula’ to work when it comes to animation?
Kahani World showcases its ‘magnificent seven’ at Cannes
“Along with many Indian flavours that have pervaded the international culture scene, Indian animation looks all set to enthrall kids everywhere. The response to our shows at the Cannes Film Festival is overwhelming.”
This is what a visibly pleased Biren Ghose, CEO & President of Kahani World, had to say from Cannes, where the company is showcasing its bouquet of 7 spanking new films with a distinct ‘Eastern flavour’ but targeted at a worldwide audience.
In the next 2 years, Kahani World, which is headquartered in Canada, will produce 7 films specially targeted at the three viewer segments of kids, tweens and teens. The content will be extended to various platforms, including dynamic new media.
Here’s a quick look at the slate of films:
Secrets of Seven Sounds, a Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur production, in a joint venture with Virgin Comics.
Ah, Nostalgia! The return of Fraggle Rock.
Many who grew up in India around the same time as I did, in the 80s to be precise, would remember Fraggle Rock. Thank God, Doordarshan showed some wholesome ‘kiddie’ programmes for us who were ‘kiddies’ back then.
The series was created by Jim Henson and featured a cast of Muppet creatures - the Fraggles, Doozers, Gorgs, a Trash Heap, a Dog and his Human Master. A worldwide hit at that time, the theme was an allegory to the real world where different races co-exist, sometimes oblivious to each other’s existence and interdependence. There was also an animated version of the Fraggle Rock series which lasted only one season, but sadly , those of us in India did not get to see it.
The good news is that Gogo, Wembley, Mokey, Boober and Red , the most popular Fraggles will be reunited in a new live-action musical feature for the big screen. The Jim Henson Co. will produce and TWC will distribute the film which will be directed by Cory Edwards. No dates have been announced as yet, so until then, enjoy this clip of the Fraggle Rock intro from Youtube. And be a kid once again 
CGTExpo 2008 : 24th & 25th May, Goregaon, Mumbai
CGTantra has partnered with Nine to organize CGTExpo 08 - India’s First Career Guidance and Computer Graphics Technology Expo on Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming.
Conceived with CGTantra’s philosophy of “Learn Inspire Grow”, CGTExpo aims to provide an insight into a career in Animation, VFX and Gaming as well as a cross pollination among the Studio’s, technology professionals and the student fraternity.
Activities planned at the Expo include a Job Fair, an Education Fair, a Technical Exhibition, Master classes, Showcases, Seminars, Student Competitions, Art Galleries, Entertainment Zone etc.
Set to be the largest such event in India, it will be held over 2600 square meter of air-conditioned space at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Western Express Highway, Goregaon (E), Mumbai on 24th and 25th May, 2008.
As Online Media Partner, AllAboutAnimation.com will keep bringing you updates, interviews and extensive coverage of the event.
Creature Discomforts! Aardman’s Animation with a Message
There must be very few true-blue animation fans who haven’t heard of Aardman’s Creature Comforts. Now, they can also see Creature Discomforts, a beautiful campaign created by them for Leonard Cheshire Disability. The series is based on one experiences of real disabled people with lovable characters and a profound message. The characters have been voiced by the very people on whom the characters are based. The website is worth a visit for two reasons: to change the way you see disability and for the brilliant characters and animation.
Must Read! Innovation Lessons from Pixar’s Brad Bird
A very interesting and insightful article - if you are in anyway connected with the world of animation, this is a must read. In fact, this interview with Brad Bird from the McKinsey Quarterly has become so popular that it is being written about in other blogs and the pdf version (created by some faithful reader) is being circulated around as well.
Since one needs to be a registered user of The McKinsey Quarterly to be able to read the complete article, here is the link to a very nice review and concise version of it from Gigaom.com by Carleen Hawn. It begins like this:
This week The McKinsey Quaterly asks: what does stimulating the creativity of animators have in common with developing new product ideas or technology breakthroughs? Apparently, a lot.
In Innovation lessons from Pixar, McKinsey writes:
Brad Bird makes his living fostering creativity. Academy Award-winning director (The Incredibles and Ratatouille) talks about the importance, in his work, of pushing teams beyond their comfort zones, encouraging dissent, and building morale. He also explained the value of “black sheep”—restless contributors with unconventional ideas.
Read the complete aticle from Gigaom.com here.
If you would like to read the original article that came out in The McKinsey Quarterly, go here.
A quick look at what the original article says:
- Pixar’s Brad Bird makes his living fostering creativity. In an interview, this director of two Academy Award–winning animated films (The Incredibles and Ratatouille) describes how he pushes teams of animators beyond their comfort zones, encourages dissent, and builds morale.
- Bird’s experiences and anecdotes hold powerful lessons for executives in any organization seeking to nurture innovation.
The article also contains an interactive feature including audio clips from the interview, stills from several of Bird’s projects, and a brief biography.
