Do not miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the best in the animation business!

27th APRIL 2017
6:20PM – 8:30PM

LASALLE College of the Arts & NTUC
present an evening with
Raúl Garcia

Raúl Garcia was previously a Senior Animator at Walt Disney and his movie credits including The Lion King, Aladdin, Tarzan, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Land Before Time and Pocahontas. He is currently a visiting lecturer at Puttnam School of Film & Animation, LASALLE College of the Arts.

Raúl will be sharing in-depth insight related to his firsthand experience in the industry as an Animator and Director, contributing to a long list of acclaimed animated features and establishing his own production studio. He will also provide tips on turning your ideas into a viable animation business.

REGISTER NOW!
https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/an-evening-with-raul-garcia-making-animation-my-business-tickets-32842731494

Our very own Festival Director, Vicky Chen, was part of an expert panel discussing about Breaking Barriers for Women in Film and Animation!

SheSays Singapore hosts a discussion on women in film

Women make up 51% of the world population, and buy more than half of cinema tickets, yet there are a disproportionately low number of female protagonists and female directors in the film industry.

SheSays Singapore’s Lizi Hamer brought an expert panel together to discuss the issues, following hot on the heels of a SheSays event which looked at the state of women in STEM in Singapore. On the 15th March 2017, she was joined by CheeK, chief content officer and director of Chicken Rice War), Jacqui Hocking, documentary filmmaker at Vision Strategy Storytelling, Charlotte Worthington from Puttnam School of Film and Animation, LASALLE, Vicky Chen of Cartoons Underground, and Carlene Tan former studio head of One Animation, to find out why.

What advice would you give to a woman trying to break into the film industry?

Jacqui: Just do it. Make the decision, own it, and just take action. Nowadays all you need is a phone – everyone has the tools. It is about having the guts to get out there and start making something, whether you are a guy or a girl.

Charlotte: You need to have a hunger for it, as it can be a very tough business sometimes. You have got to be patient. You need confidence and drive, and confidence can be hard when you start out.

Carlene: I know it is scary, but part of that not knowing is why we do it. Harness that fear and just do it.

Do you have to know about a story in order to tell it?

Charlotte: With any story you have to know and understand the subject. You cannot do it with only a superficial knowledge of a subject. Observe and listen, that is the root to film making.

Jacqui: I have often edited documentaries where I wasn’t a subject matter expert. It is through the process of making the film that you discover things. It is about observing. Carlene: With animation it is all about preparation. You go deep a lot earlier in the project. You talk about the characters and the pace and you have to make those decisions earlier, otherwise the costs are prohibitive.

Vicky: Running Cartoons Underground, a lot of our films are really short, but a good story can be told in a very short time span.

Carlene: One reason why I never went to animation school is I cannot draw to save my life, but I enjoy walking around the studio and watching the animators pulling faces into mirrors. It is all about observation and going in deep.

Are film festivals playing the right role for young film makers and animators?

Jacqui: Here in Singapore we have a huge problem with gender equality because we are all women! However as a woman it is hard to get into film festivals. Until we can transition into a world that is gender neutral then we have a huge problem.

Carlene: Animation festivals are about 50-50. Judging panels are equal.

Vicky: Our judges do not look at names because they have hours of film to go through! For bigger film festivals there would be a bigger panel and perhaps more nepotism involved.

CheeK: When I first started making short films people didn’t know if I was a woman or a man because of my name. Perhaps I benefited! When I was judging it was based on how good the product was.

Jacqui: The amount of women directors is small so we definitely have an issue there. We need to wake up and realise we can become directors or producers, we just need to get out there and do it.

Charlotte: I have found that young women are cautious about putting themselves forward and I have to encourage them. Young men seem to find it easier.

Carlene: I was lucky in my school in that they encouraged us, so when I did my first project I told my male partner that we would split the directing.

CheeK: In my company 71 per cent of the creative content team are women. They are executive producers and writers, not just doing make up.

Jacqui: Tonight I want to bring awareness to equal pay, because when I was a producer I was paid a quarter to a half of what the guys were paid!

Carlene: I don’t think it is as bad here in Singapore. In LA someone in a meeting treated me like a secretary. That has never happened here in Asia.

How do you decide what medium to use?

Charlotte: It has to come from the heart, and be relevant. I am proudest of are stories that came from the heart.

Jacqui: It comes down to how much money you have. Pick a story that you are passionate about, and then use the medium that you can afford.

Carlene: There are a lot of ways to get into film. I always ask myself ‘why animation?’ It is a visual style thing. With animated films there are styles you can encourage which would be harder to do with live film.

CheeK: In terms of a story it depends on the medium you are most comfortable with. Go

How have your experiences been working with tiny versus huge teams?

CheeK: You can scale up or down. It is the strength of the concept or the story that will get you noticed.

Carlene: I agree. I’ve been fortunate to work with big and small teams, and some worked and some didn’t. It comes down to whether the team trusts each other.

Jacqui: You can do everything yourself now, but the question is knowing what you are good at. Try and find a team that complements you.

How do you approach marketing and advertising?

Jacqui: The only way to do that is to sustain yourself first. I find shared value with companies I work with. More than ever the traditional avenues for funding are not an option, so find corporate funding.

Jackie: I am a content consultant, and this is what I do. My clients say they don’t want to pay a million dollars for a short lived advert any more. So it is a great space for film makers.

Jacqui: If you are getting asked to work, make sure you are paid for that work, especially as women. Be aware of your own value.

Lizi: If you’re not sure of your value or worth ask us!

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for your film submissions! This year, we have received close to 400 films, from 54 different countries! 2017 promises to be our best edition yet!

Venturing forward, Singapore’s first and largest independent animation festival is introducing the main competition category with 3 awards – Best Film, Best Director and Audience Award. We look forward to announcing the film selections in August, so follow us on our Facebook page and keep an eye out on the festival website!

Southeast Asia’s first and largest underground animation festival is back!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Cartoons Underground in partnership with Sideshow celebrates its 6th year with a new set of awards for the best animation from the region and the world.

Five years after its inception, Cartoons Underground is putting local animation on the map with the launch of three Golden Durian awards; for best film, best director and the ‘People’s Choice’ award for the best local film.

The judges for the ‘People’s Choice’ award is the audience! They can vote for their most favourite local film during the festival itself! The panel of judges Chris Shaw, Head of Film and Animation at Puttnam School at LASALLE, Marchand Jooste, Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic, and the Zhuang Brothers, local award-winning independent directors.

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films by directors from Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals including Spela Cadez, Nari Jang, Javad Khajavi, and Miyako Makio.

We received close to 400 film submissions and curated 13 awesome films in two jam-pack programs curated by award-winning independent local animator, Tan Wei Keong, and Jerrold Chong titled: Not Here & Tell-Tale.

Join us for heart palpitating scenes and plots that will drive you to the edge of reality while hanging out with the creators themselves!

This community-driven festival was founded by Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen in 2012, and has grown through crowd-funding and artists’ contributio

ns. This year’s festival line up was. The festival has expanded to a community of 1000 members, not limited to the arts and animation community in Singapore.

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Showtimes:

Early Evening:

– 6:30PM & 7:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

Night Screening:

8:30PM & 9:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

www.cartoonsunderground.com
www.sideshow.sg

Did you know that this year’s selection at Cartoons Underground is full of award-winning films that have made waves at prestigious film festivals all around the world? Today we feature a few of these films that will make your eyes pop, your jaws drop and your heart skip a beat or two!

1. Poles Apart directed by Paloma Baeza

This heartwarming yet incisive stop-motion film was produced by Singapore’s very own Low Ser En as part of her graduation project at the United Kingdom’s National Film and Television School (NFTS). The film, directed by Paloma Baeza, won the prestigious McLaren Award for Best British Animation at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“It was a very collaborative effort with the director Paloma. I had the chance to be creatively involved, from script development all the way to the edit,” – Low Ser En

Read more about her experience working on this project here in an interview with John Lui from the Straits Times.

And what’s stop-motion without a peek into the tireless yet magical making-of process:

“The textures of this film are lovely, from the grains of snow that we see blow into footprints, to the distinctive coats of the two bears, that ruffle in the wind and with movement.” – Amber Wilkinson

Read what one UK film critic had to say about this film!
http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/poles-apart-2017-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson

2. Nighthawk directed by Špela Čadež

The film Nighthawk (Slovenia/Croatia) by acclaimed animator/director Špela Čadež, was awarded the Grand Prix – Short Film at the 27th World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb. It also received the Honorary Mention at DOK Leipzig and Very Special Jury Prize at Animated Dreams 2016, amongst many others during a hugely successful festival run.

“This seemingly simple but surprisingly complex film adds a new layer to a traditional animation technique of multiplane cut-out. It uses parallel storytelling to switch between different perceptions to effectively create an extremely engaging tragedy of a man/animal,” said the jury of Animafest Zagreb.

Check out the pain-staking technique at work in these gorgeous behind-the-scenes photos

And while you are at it, read this illuminating interview with ‘Nighthawk’ director Špela Čadež with Skwigly!
http://www.skwigly.co.uk/spela-cadez-nighthawk/

3. The Third Script directed by Javad Khajavi

This evocative and abstract experimental animation takes us on a visual odyssey that celebrates the sense of dynamism and aliveness that exists in many specimens of Islamic calligraphy. The film, made while he was a PhD student at NTU Art Design and Media (ADM), was selected for this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Read more about the filmmaker’s intentions here, courtesy of the filmmaker.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our closer look into the award-winning films to be showcased at Cartoons Underground this year!

In the meantime, do not forget to book your tickets at Eventbrite now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cartoons-underground-asias-independent-animation-festival-tickets-38201106538
Showtimes:
Early Evening:
– 6:30PM & 7:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after
Night Screening:
8:30PM & 9:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

Introduction

Ho Wei Rong, or known as Carillus, is a Lead Artist, the Main Writer/Artist for ExCo Webtoon and the Mascot Artist for Doujima 2018.

Name: Ho Wei Rong

Artist Name: Carillus

Where do you live: Singapore

Your current project(s) that we should mention: ExCo – It’s a webcomic being published independently on the Webtoons platform.

Website for readers to find out more about you:

Webtoon: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/exco/list?title_no=90376

Facebook: fnpcarillus

Pixiv: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=236529

Youtube: carillus

Twitch: carillus

Twitter: curryless

Instagram: fnpcari

Q. What inspired you to start creating?

A: I have friends online who do webtoons. I do streaming on this online portal for digital artists called Picarto. Personally, though I didn’t draw comics before, I liked doing a lot of my own storylines and that kind of thing and figured “Let’s try it out.”

Q. How did you realize this is what you wanted to do?

A: Personally I always want to improve my own drawings, but at that point in time I was stagnating because with illustration you can only go so far, so I decided I want to try going to the other side again. So I thought of doing some writing again and doing a proper story while trying to develop my skills in that area. I could change up or try different techniques for every new chapter I release and I had a deadline to keep me creating.

Q. What are some of the first comics/webtoons you ever read?

A: My first ones were Japanese comics. When I was young, my sister was into comics as well, so I borrowed her comics to read because I liked reading a lot. So one day my sister bought “Hikaru no Go” (Manga series) so I read that as my first comic.

Hikaru no Go

Q. Who/What are your biggest influences within the comic/animation industry?

A: The artist that has influenced me the most is a webtoon artist who does the comic called “4 Cut Hero” and it is on Lezhin (Comic platform). That has been my main influence, but apart from that, a lot of my style influences are from illustrators.

4 Cut hero – Gojira-kun

Q. Who was your biggest influence/support outside of this industry?

A: My friends and my editor, who does this in her free time and she keeps me going. She’s always giving me feedback during every chapter.

Q. What platforms/mediums do you use?

A: For my webtoons, currently I’m using only Webtoons. As for mediums, primarily, digital. I use Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, and Google Sketchup to do setups for blocking.

Q. Do you only create webtoons? Do you create merch/official art/videos of your characters?

A: Videos, no, but merch, yes. I do keychains, charms, posters, badges, and books.

Q. What is your work routine like?

A: I have a full-time job, not art related, so I get home around 7 to 8pm. I start drawing at 9pm and stop at 12am. I draw on weekends as well.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the process of creation?

A: I find it is the improvement actually. I can feel myself improving with every new chapter I produce in terms of everything from scripting to paneling to drawing and how fast I can go and how much I can do.

“Changing Seasons”

“Changing Seasons”

Q. Tell us about some of the things that spark your imagination?

A: I have to say this first, I’m an engineer. So, when I think about ideas I go through a full analysis. I will start by studying the market to see my demographic. For example, for Webtoons, I saw it has a very young user base so I need to produce work that’s very colorful and flashy to attract visual attention. Moreover, Webtoons’ users are mostly female, so I use more female characters.

“Confrontation (III)”

“Confrontation (III)”

Q. What are some of your biggest challenges throughout the process and how do you get over them?

A: Keeping to my deadlines. Sometimes I get days I can’t draw so then I will decide to work on my script instead or go back and revisit old works to do repanelling

Q. What do you do when you’re in a creative slump?

A: Then I just don’t draw. But if I really have to meet my deadlines, I will break down what I have to do to even smaller steps. I make it very organized because if there is no creative flow, you have to go at it like you’re doing a job.

Q. How does your mood affect your craft?

A: So if I’m in a good mood I will draw happy scenes where people are talking and if I’m pissed off I will choose scenes that have betrayal or anger in it so I can vent through that.

Q. How did you develop your style? As artists, we are constantly experimenting with numerous style possibilities. Did you settle for one? If so, how?

A: My style is still changing but I know the direction it’s going and you can recognize it. Its built up over the years as I have a lot of other illustrators’ works I incorporate into my works. most of them being Japanese.

Q. Artists have a natural tendency to be perfectionists. When do you know when to stop and that it is “completed”?

A: For comics, people are scrolling past and you just gotta remind yourself that people are not gonna look at this very long.

Q. Just like animation, webtoons/comics are forms of storytelling. Do you think it is necessary to have a message in your stories?

A: I take a lot of inspiration from Japanese comics and they are more about the process than the final message. I just want to entertain my readers as they are very young. Deeper comics have trouble getting a following as the message kind of goes over people’s heads.

Q. What do you think about converting your webtoons to an animation someday?

A: Definitely. But the story would need some work. I think a challenge would be keeping myself motivated to continue and stick to MORE deadlines.

Q. What advice would you give someone who is just starting out as a webtoon artist?

A: Pay attention to what your fans are saying. Others would tell you to stick to your gut or to always have a message but for me, it’s not so much your message whether you readers are getting it. Knowing your demographic and listening to them will help you along the way. Get advice from other people and know that you have to change yourself and what you’re doing if it doesn’t work.

__________________________________________________________

Interviewed by Athira Suresh

Ben Tan, the poster designer for

Cartoons Underground 2018

Name: Ben Tan

Where do you live: Singapore

1. Tell us more about how you got started as an artist?

I think this is a rather premature question because I’m not really an artist, or at least not yet- I’m only 19. But I suppose the question is not really of how I got started but rather why I got started, because I haven’t even begun!

I got started because art has the ability to communicate emotions, ideas and feelings, much like having a good conversation without there being any words exchanged. This conversation that we have when we look at art is something I find very magical because it communicates not only to the viewer but allows the viewer to introspectively communicate with himself in personal dialogue. 

More than that, I think there’s a certain satisfaction of being able to create something from nothing. To think of something and see it come into form, and knowing that this form exists not only in your imagination but in a larger social consciousness when it is exhibited, printed, etc, gives it a permanence. Knowing that your art will outlive you and influence those that come thereafter is something very comforting, and that’s another key reason why I do art.

2. How do you go about completing a piece. Can you share your creative process?

For me any creative endeavor always starts with an obsession of something, whether that something is a particular visual aesthetic, concept or vibe, it starts with a genuine sense of “my days, this is the shit”. Thereafter its about trying to understand the visual language behind that sense of wonder; understanding what makes this “this” and that “that”.

Once you can figure out the visual taxonomy of the language you can start to twist and mold it to create something new. I think that’s another important aspect of this process, a willingness to let go of any preconceptions of what art should be and allow it to develop organically into what it can be. Personally, I think it’s rather misguided to create something with the intent of imitation as your final product because, as cliché as it sounds, only you can do you. 

In that sense while I suppose I kinda have an idea of how I go about doing things, I believe that the mentality with which we pursue any artistic project is more important that how we do it.

3. Can you name an artist where you draw inspiration from? What about him is most inspiring?

There are tons of great artists that I’ve drawn from in one way or another, with the internet there’s so much visual discourse that sometimes I don’t even know the artist in question, but I really like the work of (abstract painter) Albert Oehleson.

His approach towards abstract painting is amazing in that it blends a lot of traditional abstract schools of thought with more realistic elements. In his works there always seems to be a sort of visual narrative between the different elements, like abstract storytelling; which is really interesting because abstract works are mostly created around a particular emotion/ vibe rather than having any more figurative elements. I think that willingness to find new ways of expression and be bold in your decisions regardless of controversy is the virtue that, beyond technical ability, I admire the most.

4. What’s your inspiration behind the 2018 Cartoons Underground Poster?

To me the cool thing about Cartoons Underground is that its independent, self-run, it’s big but not too big and its attended by people who are open to anything.  So I wanted to create something with a lot of movement and energy which is why you have this network of snakes and ladders and interconnected elements. To me what makes animation unique is that it’s temporal, it exists because it moves and there is an element of time to it. In that vein I wanted to create a still piece of art that implied movement, like a tableau or a still frame of a movie caught in stasis rather than just an all-over explosion like Pollock.

5. What’s the dream for you in the future?

Just doing the things I enjoy, creating the art I like and living well.

6. Do you have any advice for budding artists who are hesitant about launching into a creative profession?

Considering that I’m a budding artist as well I’m really not sure what advice I can give, but I think the most important thing is that if you enjoy doing art than do it regardless of anything else that might impede you, because if you give yourself to the medium then you’ll succeed even if success doesn’t come immediately. 

Southeast Asia’s first and largest underground animation festival is back!

Get Your Tickets Here!

We are back! Cartoons Underground (www.cartoonsunderground.com) celebrates more than half a decade of independent, underground, adult-friendly animation for you adult-kids!

Get ready for heart palpitating scenes, and plots that will drive you to the edge of the seat!

In our 7th year, we received over 1,500 entries from 90 different countries, and curated three amazing programs featuring 21 award-winning animated films, some of which will be making their debut in Asia, and have came from international festivals including Ottawa, Zagreb Animafest, Bucheon and more!

Visit our unique artist market and discover hidden gems, and Kult Gallery’sThe Super Sucklord exhibition, while enjoying and trying out trippy animation that will be projected on Kult Kafe’s iconic colonial building by Mi5chief Makers! 

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films while meeting the actual creators themselves! Enjoy the first ever ‘Best Singapore Student Animation’ program, and two international programs titled ‘Different Worlds’ and ‘A Word Please’.

Both international categories will compete in Cartoons Underground’s 2nd Golden Durian Awards! They stand to win the title of ‘Best Animation’, ‘Audience Choice’ and ‘Special Mention’, while films from the local category will have the chance to compete for the title of ‘Best Singapore Student Animation’

For more information on the film program visit here

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

P.S. We are Adult-Friendly, not for the kids

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Showtimes:

6:30PM – Different Worlds – International Program 1

8PM – Best Singapore Student Films – Local Program

9PM – A Word Please – International Program 2

10PM – Award Ceremony of the official Golden Durian Awards!

www.cartoonsunderground.com
www.sideshow.sg

Cartoons Underground Highlights – 2017

We promoted and showcased animated films by talented local directors, animators and producers in Singapore. At the end of the event, only one local-made animation was presented with the highest honour of getting the Golden Durian Award; for best film, best director and the “People’s Choice” award.

PROGRAMME ​SCREENING

Four local animated films – Poles Apart, Untitled (Kafka), The Third Script and My World were judged by Chris Shaw, Head of Puttnam Film and Animation at Lasalle, Marchand Jooste, Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and the Zhuang Brothers, who are award-winning, local independent directors.

FILM ​NOMINATION

The three judges, Chris Shaw, Marchand Jooste and the Zhuang Brothers made a tough decision to select the best film and best nominated director. Besides their personal opinions, the decision proved difficult for them as the short films screened during the event had great storytelling and narrative as well as fantastic cinematography. However so, they judged them all equally and fairly.

The two films which were selected were Child for Best Director and Merlot for Best Film.

AMBIENCE ​AND ​FOOD

CU’s founders – Vicky Chen and Patrick Smith were inspired to create and organise the concept of the festival based on New York whereby it was common for animation festivals to be held in casual settings such as bars.

Located outside Kult Kafe at Emily Road, the festival was made for people to enjoy themselves, lounge and appreciate animated films. This was also a way for the audience to mingle and find out more about animation in general.

There was a wide range of food available, such as popcorn, falafels, chocolates and tidbits. We were chuffed to see the audience enjoying themselves with a cup of alcoholic beverage from Kult Kafe with snacks. During the screening, the audience was intently entranced by the films and were extremely eager to vote for their favourite films using the googly eyes provided. While waiting for the results, they could also try the UV face painting booth or get their portraits done!

This is definitely a go-to event whether you’re an artist, art enthusiast or just someone looking to have a relaxing night out with friends. You can not only indulge in the variety of food and drinks provided but also, take time off to look at films hand picked by creative individuals for casual discussions amongst yourselves. Events like these are especially crucial in places like Singapore as it helps promote our local art scene and serves as a platform for people of similar passions and interests to connect.

Do head down to Kult Kafe on 27th October at 6pm to experience this and more!

Athira

Get Your Tickets Here!

Cartoons Underground in partnership with Sideshow celebrates its 8th year with a new set of awards for the best animation from the region and the world.

Celebrating our 8th year, 19 works have been selected from 1,416 entries submitted from 80 different countries and will be competing for the Golden Durian Awards featuring Best animation, Audience Choice and Special Mention!

You can look forward to three programs, our very first Women in Focus program, an International program, and Best Student Films from Singapore!

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films by directors from Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals.

Join us for heart palpitating scenes and plots that will drive you to the edge of reality while hanging out with the creators themselves!

This community-driven festival was founded by Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen in 2012, and has grown through crowd-funding and artists’ contributions. The festival has expanded to a community of 1000 members, not limited to the arts and animation community in Singapore.

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Showtimes:

This year, we are doing three 30-mins blocks:

International Competition 1: Look at Us | 30 mins | Rating: M18 – Some Sexual Scenes and Nudity
Singapore Student Animation: Adventure Time! | 31 mins | Rating: PG
International Competition 2: Focus on Women in Animation | 31 mins | Rating M18 – Mature Content

www.cartoonsunderground.com

www.sideshow.sg

Do not miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the best in the animation business!

27th APRIL 2017
6:20PM – 8:30PM

LASALLE College of the Arts & NTUC
present an evening with
Raúl Garcia

Raúl Garcia was previously a Senior Animator at Walt Disney and his movie credits including The Lion King, Aladdin, Tarzan, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Land Before Time and Pocahontas. He is currently a visiting lecturer at Puttnam School of Film & Animation, LASALLE College of the Arts.

Raúl will be sharing in-depth insight related to his firsthand experience in the industry as an Animator and Director, contributing to a long list of acclaimed animated features and establishing his own production studio. He will also provide tips on turning your ideas into a viable animation business.

REGISTER NOW!
https://www.eventbrite.sg/e/an-evening-with-raul-garcia-making-animation-my-business-tickets-32842731494

The post An Evening with Raul Garcia : Making Animation my Business appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Our very own Festival Director, Vicky Chen, was part of an expert panel discussing about Breaking Barriers for Women in Film and Animation!

SheSays Singapore hosts a discussion on women in film

Women make up 51% of the world population, and buy more than half of cinema tickets, yet there are a disproportionately low number of female protagonists and female directors in the film industry.

SheSays Singapore’s Lizi Hamer brought an expert panel together to discuss the issues, following hot on the heels of a SheSays event which looked at the state of women in STEM in Singapore. On the 15th March 2017, she was joined by CheeK, chief content officer and director of Chicken Rice War), Jacqui Hocking, documentary filmmaker at Vision Strategy Storytelling, Charlotte Worthington from Puttnam School of Film and Animation, LASALLE, Vicky Chen of Cartoons Underground, and Carlene Tan former studio head of One Animation, to find out why.

What advice would you give to a woman trying to break into the film industry?

Jacqui: Just do it. Make the decision, own it, and just take action. Nowadays all you need is a phone – everyone has the tools. It is about having the guts to get out there and start making something, whether you are a guy or a girl.

Charlotte: You need to have a hunger for it, as it can be a very tough business sometimes. You have got to be patient. You need confidence and drive, and confidence can be hard when you start out.

Carlene: I know it is scary, but part of that not knowing is why we do it. Harness that fear and just do it.

Do you have to know about a story in order to tell it?

Charlotte: With any story you have to know and understand the subject. You cannot do it with only a superficial knowledge of a subject. Observe and listen, that is the root to film making.

Jacqui: I have often edited documentaries where I wasn’t a subject matter expert. It is through the process of making the film that you discover things. It is about observing. Carlene: With animation it is all about preparation. You go deep a lot earlier in the project. You talk about the characters and the pace and you have to make those decisions earlier, otherwise the costs are prohibitive.

Vicky: Running Cartoons Underground, a lot of our films are really short, but a good story can be told in a very short time span.

Carlene: One reason why I never went to animation school is I cannot draw to save my life, but I enjoy walking around the studio and watching the animators pulling faces into mirrors. It is all about observation and going in deep.

Are film festivals playing the right role for young film makers and animators?

Jacqui: Here in Singapore we have a huge problem with gender equality because we are all women! However as a woman it is hard to get into film festivals. Until we can transition into a world that is gender neutral then we have a huge problem.

Carlene: Animation festivals are about 50-50. Judging panels are equal.

Vicky: Our judges do not look at names because they have hours of film to go through! For bigger film festivals there would be a bigger panel and perhaps more nepotism involved.

CheeK: When I first started making short films people didn’t know if I was a woman or a man because of my name. Perhaps I benefited! When I was judging it was based on how good the product was.

Jacqui: The amount of women directors is small so we definitely have an issue there. We need to wake up and realise we can become directors or producers, we just need to get out there and do it.

Charlotte: I have found that young women are cautious about putting themselves forward and I have to encourage them. Young men seem to find it easier.

Carlene: I was lucky in my school in that they encouraged us, so when I did my first project I told my male partner that we would split the directing.

CheeK: In my company 71 per cent of the creative content team are women. They are executive producers and writers, not just doing make up.

Jacqui: Tonight I want to bring awareness to equal pay, because when I was a producer I was paid a quarter to a half of what the guys were paid!

Carlene: I don’t think it is as bad here in Singapore. In LA someone in a meeting treated me like a secretary. That has never happened here in Asia.

How do you decide what medium to use?

Charlotte: It has to come from the heart, and be relevant. I am proudest of are stories that came from the heart.

Jacqui: It comes down to how much money you have. Pick a story that you are passionate about, and then use the medium that you can afford.

Carlene: There are a lot of ways to get into film. I always ask myself ‘why animation?’ It is a visual style thing. With animated films there are styles you can encourage which would be harder to do with live film.

CheeK: In terms of a story it depends on the medium you are most comfortable with. Go

How have your experiences been working with tiny versus huge teams?

CheeK: You can scale up or down. It is the strength of the concept or the story that will get you noticed.

Carlene: I agree. I’ve been fortunate to work with big and small teams, and some worked and some didn’t. It comes down to whether the team trusts each other.

Jacqui: You can do everything yourself now, but the question is knowing what you are good at. Try and find a team that complements you.

How do you approach marketing and advertising?

Jacqui: The only way to do that is to sustain yourself first. I find shared value with companies I work with. More than ever the traditional avenues for funding are not an option, so find corporate funding.

Jackie: I am a content consultant, and this is what I do. My clients say they don’t want to pay a million dollars for a short lived advert any more. So it is a great space for film makers.

Jacqui: If you are getting asked to work, make sure you are paid for that work, especially as women. Be aware of your own value.

Lizi: If you’re not sure of your value or worth ask us!

The post Breaking Barriers for Women in Film and Animation appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone for your film submissions! This year, we have received close to 400 films, from 54 different countries! 2017 promises to be our best edition yet!

Venturing forward, Singapore’s first and largest independent animation festival is introducing the main competition category with 3 awards – Best Film, Best Director and Audience Award. We look forward to announcing the film selections in August, so follow us on our Facebook page and keep an eye out on the festival website!

The post CU17: Thank you for your submissions! appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Southeast Asia’s first and largest underground animation festival is back!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Cartoons Underground in partnership with Sideshow celebrates its 6th year with a new set of awards for the best animation from the region and the world.

Five years after its inception, Cartoons Underground is putting local animation on the map with the launch of three Golden Durian awards; for best film, best director and the ‘People’s Choice’ award for the best local film.

The judges for the ‘People’s Choice’ award is the audience! They can vote for their most favourite local film during the festival itself! The panel of judges Chris Shaw, Head of Film and Animation at Puttnam School at LASALLE, Marchand Jooste, Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic, and the Zhuang Brothers, local award-winning independent directors.

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films by directors from Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals including Spela Cadez, Nari Jang, Javad Khajavi, and Miyako Makio.

We received close to 400 film submissions and curated 13 awesome films in two jam-pack programs curated by award-winning independent local animator, Tan Wei Keong, and Jerrold Chong titled: Not Here & Tell-Tale.

Join us for heart palpitating scenes and plots that will drive you to the edge of reality while hanging out with the creators themselves!

This community-driven festival was founded by Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen in 2012, and has grown through crowd-funding and artists’ contributio

ns. This year’s festival line up was. The festival has expanded to a community of 1000 members, not limited to the arts and animation community in Singapore.

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Showtimes:

Early Evening:

– 6:30PM & 7:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

Night Screening:

8:30PM & 9:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

www.cartoonsunderground.com
www.sideshow.sg

The post 2017 Cartoons Underground appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Did you know that this year’s selection at Cartoons Underground is full of award-winning films that have made waves at prestigious film festivals all around the world? Today we feature a few of these films that will make your eyes pop, your jaws drop and your heart skip a beat or two!

1. Poles Apart directed by Paloma Baeza

This heartwarming yet incisive stop-motion film was produced by Singapore’s very own Low Ser En as part of her graduation project at the United Kingdom’s National Film and Television School (NFTS). The film, directed by Paloma Baeza, won the prestigious McLaren Award for Best British Animation at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

“It was a very collaborative effort with the director Paloma. I had the chance to be creatively involved, from script development all the way to the edit,” – Low Ser En

Read more about her experience working on this project here in an interview with John Lui from the Straits Times.

And what’s stop-motion without a peek into the tireless yet magical making-of process:

“The textures of this film are lovely, from the grains of snow that we see blow into footprints, to the distinctive coats of the two bears, that ruffle in the wind and with movement.” – Amber Wilkinson

Read what one UK film critic had to say about this film!
http://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/poles-apart-2017-film-review-by-amber-wilkinson

2. Nighthawk directed by Špela Čadež

The film Nighthawk (Slovenia/Croatia) by acclaimed animator/director Špela Čadež, was awarded the Grand Prix – Short Film at the 27th World Festival of Animated Film – Animafest Zagreb. It also received the Honorary Mention at DOK Leipzig and Very Special Jury Prize at Animated Dreams 2016, amongst many others during a hugely successful festival run.

“This seemingly simple but surprisingly complex film adds a new layer to a traditional animation technique of multiplane cut-out. It uses parallel storytelling to switch between different perceptions to effectively create an extremely engaging tragedy of a man/animal,” said the jury of Animafest Zagreb.

Check out the pain-staking technique at work in these gorgeous behind-the-scenes photos

And while you are at it, read this illuminating interview with ‘Nighthawk’ director Špela Čadež with Skwigly!
http://www.skwigly.co.uk/spela-cadez-nighthawk/

3. The Third Script directed by Javad Khajavi

This evocative and abstract experimental animation takes us on a visual odyssey that celebrates the sense of dynamism and aliveness that exists in many specimens of Islamic calligraphy. The film, made while he was a PhD student at NTU Art Design and Media (ADM), was selected for this year’s Ottawa International Animation Festival.

Read more about the filmmaker’s intentions here, courtesy of the filmmaker.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our closer look into the award-winning films to be showcased at Cartoons Underground this year!

In the meantime, do not forget to book your tickets at Eventbrite now!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cartoons-underground-asias-independent-animation-festival-tickets-38201106538
Showtimes:
Early Evening:
– 6:30PM & 7:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after
Night Screening:
8:30PM & 9:30PM with a 15 min personal Q&A with directors after

The post Award-winning films on display at CU 2017! [Part 1] appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Cartoons Underground Highlights – 2017

We promoted and showcased animated films by talented local directors, animators and producers in Singapore. At the end of the event, only one local-made animation was presented with the highest honour of getting the Golden Durian Award; for best film, best director and the “People’s Choice” award.

PROGRAMME ​SCREENING

Four local animated films – Poles Apart, Untitled (Kafka), The Third Script and My World were judged by Chris Shaw, Head of Puttnam Film and Animation at Lasalle, Marchand Jooste, Lead Animator at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and the Zhuang Brothers, who are award-winning, local independent directors.

FILM ​NOMINATION

The three judges, Chris Shaw, Marchand Jooste and the Zhuang Brothers made a tough decision to select the best film and best nominated director. Besides their personal opinions, the decision proved difficult for them as the short films screened during the event had great storytelling and narrative as well as fantastic cinematography. However so, they judged them all equally and fairly.

The two films which were selected were Child for Best Director and Merlot for Best Film.

AMBIENCE ​AND ​FOOD

CU’s founders – Vicky Chen and Patrick Smith were inspired to create and organise the concept of the festival based on New York whereby it was common for animation festivals to be held in casual settings such as bars.

Located outside Kult Kafe at Emily Road, the festival was made for people to enjoy themselves, lounge and appreciate animated films. This was also a way for the audience to mingle and find out more about animation in general.

There was a wide range of food available, such as popcorn, falafels, chocolates and tidbits. We were chuffed to see the audience enjoying themselves with a cup of alcoholic beverage from Kult Kafe with snacks. During the screening, the audience was intently entranced by the films and were extremely eager to vote for their favourite films using the googly eyes provided. While waiting for the results, they could also try the UV face painting booth or get their portraits done!

This is definitely a go-to event whether you’re an artist, art enthusiast or just someone looking to have a relaxing night out with friends. You can not only indulge in the variety of food and drinks provided but also, take time off to look at films hand picked by creative individuals for casual discussions amongst yourselves. Events like these are especially crucial in places like Singapore as it helps promote our local art scene and serves as a platform for people of similar passions and interests to connect.

Do head down to Kult Kafe on 27th October at 6pm to experience this and more!

Athira

The post 2017 Highlights! appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Introduction

Ho Wei Rong, or known as Carillus, is a Lead Artist, the Main Writer/Artist for ExCo Webtoon and the Mascot Artist for Doujima 2018.

Name: Ho Wei Rong

Artist Name: Carillus

Where do you live: Singapore

Your current project(s) that we should mention: ExCo – It’s a webcomic being published independently on the Webtoons platform.

Website for readers to find out more about you:

Webtoon: https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/exco/list?title_no=90376

Facebook: fnpcarillus

Pixiv: https://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=236529

Youtube: carillus

Twitch: carillus

Twitter: curryless

Instagram: fnpcari

Q. What inspired you to start creating?

A: I have friends online who do webtoons. I do streaming on this online portal for digital artists called Picarto. Personally, though I didn’t draw comics before, I liked doing a lot of my own storylines and that kind of thing and figured “Let’s try it out.”

Q. How did you realize this is what you wanted to do?

A: Personally I always want to improve my own drawings, but at that point in time I was stagnating because with illustration you can only go so far, so I decided I want to try going to the other side again. So I thought of doing some writing again and doing a proper story while trying to develop my skills in that area. I could change up or try different techniques for every new chapter I release and I had a deadline to keep me creating.

Q. What are some of the first comics/webtoons you ever read?

A: My first ones were Japanese comics. When I was young, my sister was into comics as well, so I borrowed her comics to read because I liked reading a lot. So one day my sister bought “Hikaru no Go” (Manga series) so I read that as my first comic.

Hikaru no Go

Q. Who/What are your biggest influences within the comic/animation industry?

A: The artist that has influenced me the most is a webtoon artist who does the comic called “4 Cut Hero” and it is on Lezhin (Comic platform). That has been my main influence, but apart from that, a lot of my style influences are from illustrators.

4 Cut hero – Gojira-kun

Q. Who was your biggest influence/support outside of this industry?

A: My friends and my editor, who does this in her free time and she keeps me going. She’s always giving me feedback during every chapter.

Q. What platforms/mediums do you use?

A: For my webtoons, currently I’m using only Webtoons. As for mediums, primarily, digital. I use Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, and Google Sketchup to do setups for blocking.

Q. Do you only create webtoons? Do you create merch/official art/videos of your characters?

A: Videos, no, but merch, yes. I do keychains, charms, posters, badges, and books.

Q. What is your work routine like?

A: I have a full-time job, not art related, so I get home around 7 to 8pm. I start drawing at 9pm and stop at 12am. I draw on weekends as well.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the process of creation?

A: I find it is the improvement actually. I can feel myself improving with every new chapter I produce in terms of everything from scripting to paneling to drawing and how fast I can go and how much I can do.

“Changing Seasons”

“Changing Seasons”

Q. Tell us about some of the things that spark your imagination?

A: I have to say this first, I’m an engineer. So, when I think about ideas I go through a full analysis. I will start by studying the market to see my demographic. For example, for Webtoons, I saw it has a very young user base so I need to produce work that’s very colorful and flashy to attract visual attention. Moreover, Webtoons’ users are mostly female, so I use more female characters.

“Confrontation (III)”

“Confrontation (III)”

Q. What are some of your biggest challenges throughout the process and how do you get over them?

A: Keeping to my deadlines. Sometimes I get days I can’t draw so then I will decide to work on my script instead or go back and revisit old works to do repanelling

Q. What do you do when you’re in a creative slump?

A: Then I just don’t draw. But if I really have to meet my deadlines, I will break down what I have to do to even smaller steps. I make it very organized because if there is no creative flow, you have to go at it like you’re doing a job.

Q. How does your mood affect your craft?

A: So if I’m in a good mood I will draw happy scenes where people are talking and if I’m pissed off I will choose scenes that have betrayal or anger in it so I can vent through that.

Q. How did you develop your style? As artists, we are constantly experimenting with numerous style possibilities. Did you settle for one? If so, how?

A: My style is still changing but I know the direction it’s going and you can recognize it. Its built up over the years as I have a lot of other illustrators’ works I incorporate into my works. most of them being Japanese.

Q. Artists have a natural tendency to be perfectionists. When do you know when to stop and that it is “completed”?

A: For comics, people are scrolling past and you just gotta remind yourself that people are not gonna look at this very long.

Q. Just like animation, webtoons/comics are forms of storytelling. Do you think it is necessary to have a message in your stories?

A: I take a lot of inspiration from Japanese comics and they are more about the process than the final message. I just want to entertain my readers as they are very young. Deeper comics have trouble getting a following as the message kind of goes over people’s heads.

Q. What do you think about converting your webtoons to an animation someday?

A: Definitely. But the story would need some work. I think a challenge would be keeping myself motivated to continue and stick to MORE deadlines.

Q. What advice would you give someone who is just starting out as a webtoon artist?

A: Pay attention to what your fans are saying. Others would tell you to stick to your gut or to always have a message but for me, it’s not so much your message whether you readers are getting it. Knowing your demographic and listening to them will help you along the way. Get advice from other people and know that you have to change yourself and what you’re doing if it doesn’t work.

__________________________________________________________

Interviewed by Athira Suresh

The post Meet Carillus: Artist & Writer ExCo Webtoon appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Ben Tan, the poster designer for

Cartoons Underground 2018

Name: Ben Tan

Where do you live: Singapore

1. Tell us more about how you got started as an artist?

I think this is a rather premature question because I’m not really an artist, or at least not yet- I’m only 19. But I suppose the question is not really of how I got started but rather why I got started, because I haven’t even begun!

I got started because art has the ability to communicate emotions, ideas and feelings, much like having a good conversation without there being any words exchanged. This conversation that we have when we look at art is something I find very magical because it communicates not only to the viewer but allows the viewer to introspectively communicate with himself in personal dialogue. 

More than that, I think there’s a certain satisfaction of being able to create something from nothing. To think of something and see it come into form, and knowing that this form exists not only in your imagination but in a larger social consciousness when it is exhibited, printed, etc, gives it a permanence. Knowing that your art will outlive you and influence those that come thereafter is something very comforting, and that’s another key reason why I do art.

2. How do you go about completing a piece. Can you share your creative process?

For me any creative endeavor always starts with an obsession of something, whether that something is a particular visual aesthetic, concept or vibe, it starts with a genuine sense of “my days, this is the shit”. Thereafter its about trying to understand the visual language behind that sense of wonder; understanding what makes this “this” and that “that”.

Once you can figure out the visual taxonomy of the language you can start to twist and mold it to create something new. I think that’s another important aspect of this process, a willingness to let go of any preconceptions of what art should be and allow it to develop organically into what it can be. Personally, I think it’s rather misguided to create something with the intent of imitation as your final product because, as cliché as it sounds, only you can do you. 

In that sense while I suppose I kinda have an idea of how I go about doing things, I believe that the mentality with which we pursue any artistic project is more important that how we do it.

3. Can you name an artist where you draw inspiration from? What about him is most inspiring?

There are tons of great artists that I’ve drawn from in one way or another, with the internet there’s so much visual discourse that sometimes I don’t even know the artist in question, but I really like the work of (abstract painter) Albert Oehleson.

His approach towards abstract painting is amazing in that it blends a lot of traditional abstract schools of thought with more realistic elements. In his works there always seems to be a sort of visual narrative between the different elements, like abstract storytelling; which is really interesting because abstract works are mostly created around a particular emotion/ vibe rather than having any more figurative elements. I think that willingness to find new ways of expression and be bold in your decisions regardless of controversy is the virtue that, beyond technical ability, I admire the most.

4. What’s your inspiration behind the 2018 Cartoons Underground Poster?

To me the cool thing about Cartoons Underground is that its independent, self-run, it’s big but not too big and its attended by people who are open to anything.  So I wanted to create something with a lot of movement and energy which is why you have this network of snakes and ladders and interconnected elements. To me what makes animation unique is that it’s temporal, it exists because it moves and there is an element of time to it. In that vein I wanted to create a still piece of art that implied movement, like a tableau or a still frame of a movie caught in stasis rather than just an all-over explosion like Pollock.

5. What’s the dream for you in the future?

Just doing the things I enjoy, creating the art I like and living well.

6. Do you have any advice for budding artists who are hesitant about launching into a creative profession?

Considering that I’m a budding artist as well I’m really not sure what advice I can give, but I think the most important thing is that if you enjoy doing art than do it regardless of anything else that might impede you, because if you give yourself to the medium then you’ll succeed even if success doesn’t come immediately. 

The post Have a chat with the poster designer for CU 2018 – Ben Tan! appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Southeast Asia’s first and largest underground animation festival is back!

Get Your Tickets Here!

We are back! Cartoons Underground celebrates more than half a decade of independent, underground, adult-friendly animation for you adult-kids!

Get ready for heart palpitating scenes, and plots that will drive you to the edge of the seat!

In our 7th year, we received over 1,500 entries from 90 different countries, and curated three amazing programs featuring 21 award-winning animated films, some of which will be making their debut in Asia, and have came from international festivals including Ottawa, Zagreb Animafest, Bucheon and more!

Visit our unique artist market and discover hidden gems, and Kult Gallery’sThe Super Sucklord exhibition, while enjoying and trying out trippy animation that will be projected on Kult Kafe’s iconic colonial building by Mi5chief Makers! 

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films while meeting the actual creators themselves! Enjoy the first ever ‘Best Singapore Student Animation’ program, and two international programs titled ‘Different Worlds’ and ‘A Word Please’.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8T6UBeybsg]
Both international categories will compete in Cartoons Underground’s 2nd Golden Durian Awards! They stand to win the title of ‘Best Animation’, ‘Audience Choice’ and ‘Special Mention’, while films from the local category will have the chance to compete for the title of ‘Best Singapore Student Animation’

For more information on the film program visit here

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

P.S. We are Adult-Friendly, not for the kids 🙂

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfdLmerjH0o&w=560&h=315]

Showtimes:

6:30PM – Different Worlds – International Program 1

8PM – Best Singapore Student Films – Local Program

9PM – A Word Please – International Program 2

10PM – Award Ceremony of the official Golden Durian Awards!

www.cartoonsunderground.com
www.sideshow.sg

The post 2018 Cartoons Underground appeared first on Cartoons Underground.

Get Your Tickets Here!

Cartoons Underground in partnership with Sideshow celebrates its 8th year with a new set of awards for the best animation from the region and the world.

Celebrating our 8th year, 19 works have been selected from 1,416 entries submitted from 80 different countries and will be competing for the Golden Durian Awards featuring Best animation, Audience Choice and Special Mention!

You can look forward to three programs, our very first Women in Focus program, an International program, and Best Student Films from Singapore!

Grab a beer and a fistful of popcorn and catch award-winning animated films by directors from Ottawa Animation Festival, Zagreb Animation Festival and Edinburgh international film festivals.

Join us for heart palpitating scenes and plots that will drive you to the edge of reality while hanging out with the creators themselves!

This community-driven festival was founded by Patrick Smith, Director of MTV Daria, and Vicky Chen in 2012, and has grown through crowd-funding and artists’ contributions. The festival has expanded to a community of 1000 members, not limited to the arts and animation community in Singapore.

Admission is by donation, so if you enjoy the films please help contribute to ensure the future of our artists and the festival!

Get Your Tickets Here!

Showtimes:

This year, we are doing three 30-mins blocks:

International Competition 1: Look at Us | 30 mins | Rating: M18 – Some Sexual Scenes and Nudity
Singapore Student Animation: Adventure Time! | 31 mins | Rating: PG
International Competition 2: Focus on Women in Animation | 31 mins | Rating M18 – Mature Content

www.cartoonsunderground.com

www.sideshow.sg

The post Cartoons Underground 2019 Tickets appeared first on Cartoons Underground.