Making top quality films
THE Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) held a regional short film and animation contest to decide the exceptional winners who would represent Malaysia in the final round of the 19th DigiCon6 Asia contest in Tokyo, Japan. Two groups from The One Academy emerged as the champions by securing the two top spots.
The contest is organised and held by Tokyo Broadcasting System Holdings Inc to seek and recognise talented video creators and awarding them for their outstanding work, besides being an active platform to show quality and originality in content development.
To meet its high standards, industry professionals such as acclaimed directors, producers and those from the entertainment industry evaluate the works at the finals.
The Malaysia Gold Winner award went to the short a three-minute animation about a perverted and goofy slave who mummified himself so that he could be one with the love of his life in the afterlife. The RM5000 prizes were awarded to Gerald Yong, Too Chai Kim, Leong Joon Xian, Rufus Januar, Khaidir Semail, Kimberly Ng, Ben Lee Kah Lim, Jan Teo Jia Xian, Regan Tang and Hawley Chiung.
The creators of the animation wanted it to be enjoyable to audiences of all ages. “Their minds are tired and may not have much energy left for deep thoughts when watching certain contents. We just wanted to offer a bit of relief from the stressful life, a bit of quick and easy entertainment,” said director Gerald Yong, who represented Malaysia for the final round in Tokyo.
Clinching the Silver Award was The team consisting of Loh Xun Yee, Yeap Shau Jun, Yong Kah Hui, Kaveen Raj, Ong Chun Li, Harry Yong, Kevin Woon, Au Kok Wei, Lim Hong Shen, Amy Ling, Andrew Cho and Chong Wei Lun received a RM3000 award.
Meaning “friend” in the Inuit language, Inuktitut, shows an unlikely friendship between an Inuit boy and a walrus that developed as they scuffled for food. Although it seems heartwarming, the short highlights the reality of how global warming is drastically affecting the ecosystem — the Inuit boy fishing alone shows the extremely diminished community and the walrus stealing his catch an indication of food shortage.
The light-hearted style might have masked the serious issue of global warming, but its main message is still powerfully relevant.
“The fight between the walrus and the boy shows how tough survival can be out there, but there are still a glimmer of hope for them if only we acknowledge this threat and help preserve their culture and life,” said line producer Amy Ling on what inspired the short animation.
The storyline can either make or break a project. But coming up with a great idea is only half the battle. The rest of it lies in the execution that can effortlessly relay the story to the audience.
In the case of the smoothness of animation, its quirkiness and transitions were convincing and appealing. To get the comedy across successfully, they believed that character performance is key, and that aspect sets their film apart from the others.
For the colour and mood used are quite distinctive. The creators agree that those two aspects play huge roles in delivering the emotions of its scenes and explains the situation much better than words, connecting the viewers to the film.
In its 19th year, DigiCon6 Asia is a contest organised for short film and animation creators across 12 countries in Asia including Japan, Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
The One Academy offers Digital Animation with Game Development, Multimedia Design with Digital Media & Interactive Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Advertising and Graphic Design, Film Visual Effects, Illustration, Movie & Game Art, ESMOD Fashion Design & Pattern Making and Fine Arts.
For more information on The One Academy, visit www.toa.edu.my or call +603-5637 5510 or e-mail enquiry@toa.edu.my.