All Entries Tagged With: "News"
CGTExpo 2008 (Update) : Masterclass Details online
CGTExpo Masterclasses will enable participants to make the most of an indepth learning environment under the guidance of experts from the diverse backgrounds - artistic, technical or conceptual. If you are interested, do register soon:
http://www.cgtexpo.com/masterclasses.html
See the details of the sessions and speakers.
Pune Ahoy!
After Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, Pune is now being touted as the next ‘hot’ (quite literally, as of now!) destination for the animation industry. With a strong government backing, proximity to Bollywood AKA Mumbai, lesser traffic congestion and relatively affordable real estate, Pune has a lot to offer to the Animation and Gaming Industry.
Suresh Kalmadi, MP and Chairman of Pune Vyaspeeth announced at a press conference on Saturday, 17th May that the 5th Hi Tech Pune-Maharashtra 2008 conference, a 3-day event which has so far focussed on IT (Information Technology) and BT (Biotechnology) would this year include Animation and Gaming as well.
“Innovation Led Inclusive Growth” is what they are calling the conference but what exactly will be discussed with regards to the animation industry and who will speak is not certain. They have mentioned an Animation & Gaming Committee though, comprised of:
Commodore Anand Khandekar (Director Pune Development Center and Chief Mentor NVIDIA)
Ravi Gupta (Executive Director, Whistling Woods International)
Aashish Kulkarni (CEO, Anirights)
Sunanda Rathi (Director Arena Animation, Pune)
Dr. Ajay Batra (Author: “Breeding Innovation and Intellectual Capital” and “Integrated Innovation, Knowledge Management and Intellectual Capital Framework”)
The website does not offer much information either and the only topic mentioned in the list is one that has already been done to death, - “Opportunities & Challenges of Gaming & Animation Industry.” One wishes that they would find fresh topics to discuss at such prestigious events rather than have the same people rehash the same “issues” over and over again.
Indian Animation Going Vegetarian!
Not really. But I thought it makes for an interesting headline for the announcement that PETA has chosen as its brand mascot - none other than the latest animated hero to hit Indian screens - Ghatothkach.
Created by Shemaroo Entertainment and Sun Animatics for the animated ‘Ghatothkach - Master of Magic’, the character - Ghatothkach has been adopted by PETA as the Official Brand Ambassador for their ‘Save The Elephant’ campaign.
The announcement was made at music launch function of the movie which is all set to release on this Friday, the 23rd of May. The story, direction and music for the film are by veteran director, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, who is known for films like ‘Pushpak’, ‘Appu Raja’, ‘Mayuri’ and ‘Son Of Aladdin’. The 90 minute long, 2D animated feature is a collaboration between Shemaroo and Sun Animatics.
Credit must be given to the producers of the film who are going all out to promote Ghatothkach. The film will be released internationally in UK, USA and UAE, dubbed in Hindi, English, Tamil and Malayalam, screened at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, adapted to mobile and online games and advertised all over the country through every possible medium. The mascot will visit malls and multiplexes, there are tie-ups with McDonalds and Chandamama and a plethora of merchandising options being exploited. The music, as always, is being heavily promoted.
Whether the Indian Animation Industry meets international standards in terms of animation quality or not, it sure has come of age as far as marketing , promoting and merchandising the characters and films is concerned (In other words, it is finally learning to make money from animated films!)
I sincerely hope that the animation is as good as the character design seen in the promos, or else for true animation fans aching to see drool-worthy Indian animation, the wait is long and arduous. All I can say to them (and myself ) until then is…
Shree Ganesh! Hare Krishna! Jai Hanuman!
(picture copyright : Shemaroo Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.)
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 
Cheenti Cheenti Bang Bang - An interesting premise and a promising film!
A war between Red and Black Ants makes for a very interesting premise for an animated feature. Cheenti Cheenti Bang Bang is a 82 min long being produced jointly by Elecom Animation Academy, a Kolkata-based animation training institute, and Mumbai’s Fiesta Entertainment and will be released in May this year.
SEE THE TRAILER
The name of the film is a clever play on words (an ant is called a Cheenti in Hindi) and has absolutely nothing to do with the 1964 Ian Fleming book - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or the 1968 film by the same name. It is actually based on ‘Lal Kalo’ (Red Black), a popular Bengali children’s novel by Girindrashekhar Basu.
Workshop on Animation Industry & Careers for students and parents
Graphiti School of Animation is offering a free workshop for all students and parents and anybody who is interested in knowing more about careers and opportunities in animation on 2nd May, 2008.
The workshop will deal with basic issues like:
* What is animation? What are the steps involved in making an animation film?
* Is animation a formula for a successful career?
* What are the Job opportunities in Animation?
* Can everyone do animation or is it limited to only a particular group of people?
* Where and how should I learn Animation?
To register for the workshop and book your time slot, call Graphiti on (022) 24440107 or (022) 32448544 or sms at (+91) 9833841580 or visit their website: www.graphiti.net.
Don’t Miss! Making of TZP’s Animation repeats on 26th April 2008
TASI’s workshop on the Making of the animation and VFX for Taare Zameen Par saw such an overwhelming response that it will now be repeated on Saturday, the 26th of April at Whistling Woods International, Film City, Mumbai (view map)
Session Starts: 2:00 pm
Speakers:
Pankaj Khandpur from VCL (CG and VFX), Dhimant Vyas (Clay Animation) & Vaibhav Studios (2D Animation)
Registration:
TASI Members - Entry FREE (Please carry your TASI ID cards) Non-members - Students - Rs. 50/- and Professionals - Rs.100/-
Please Note: Students please carry your ID cards to avail the student discount.
To pre-register, please contact:
Ravish Shanbhag: 9833105305 | ravish@tasionline.org
Yogi Chopra: 9820366313 | yogi@tasionline.org
Ritesh Reddy: 9869403527 | ritesh@tasionline.org
