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Talk about doing Indian animation proud!
Best
known for its multiple award winning (14 at last count) 2D
animated film Raju & I, Mumbai based animation
and Special Effects studio Animagic India's films were recently
showcased at AnimatedExeter, an animation festival in Exeter,
UK.
The
seventh editon of the festival was held from 13 to 25 February
and featured multiple screenings of Animagic India's package
of films (60 minutes each including Raju & I, Maaa
and The Earth Song from ChakaChak).
Along
with world renowned artist and illustrator, the Oscar Winning
Alan Lee (Concept Designer for LOTR Trilogy as well
as The Centenary issue of the Book, The Lord of The Rings)
Animagic India's Chetan Sharma and Gayatri Rao's presence
and workshops were major highlights of the event. Interestingly
the Animagic duo were the first Asian artists to be invited
to AnimatedExeter.
Speaking
to Animation 'xpress Animagic India's Gayatri
Rao stated," We visited Exeter for three days from the
17th to the 20th of Feb. I was very impressed by the amount
of importance Exeter gave to animation and the way in which
they brought it close to its people. It seemed as if everyone
from Exeter participated in the festival. There was a lot
of positive energy and the enthusiasm of the organisers was
very dominant"
"The
audience came to see films of the world and our films were
screened alongside films like Howl's Moving Castle
and The Curse of the Werewolf. It was wonderful to
see them feel and care for the characters from our films"
added Chetan Sharma.
 "Two
of our screenings were held in the University of Dartington.
The music and art varsity is based on the lines of Shanti
Niketan and has a strong India connect what with the legendary
Tagore himself having visited the place several times. The
screenings were held in a Cinema Hall which is located inside
a Barn built in the 1100s. Everything about the place was
so beautiful" he further added.
Other highlights included a special exhibition of cels, character
sketches and stills from Animagic India's repertoire, screening
of Yuri Norstein's Tale of Tales introduced by Clare
Kitson and complimented by a selection of the best Russian
Short Films; workshops and presentations by Royal College
of Art's (UK) Joan Ashworth who gave insights into the creative
process involved in her 3D animated film How Mermaids Breed
and the screening of children's classic 'The Snowman'
accompanied by the Devon Youth Orchestra and Exeter Cathedral
Choir with special guest appearances.
Exeter is in the South West part of England close to four
hours from London. The Festival is organised by the Exeter
City Council, which is a very active body and organises around
six music and culture related festivals every year.
The
main person behind the event is Elizabeth Harkman, Arts, Festivals
& Events Officer at the Exeter City Council. Harkman had
seen Raju & I at Flickerfest an animation festival
in Australia around a year ago. Moved by the film she contacted
Animagic India a year ago for participation in the event this
year.
Animagic
India which just completed its animated short film Maaa
recently is also working on the Visual Effects for Vidhu Vinod
Chopra's forthcoming multistarrer Eklavya along with
Prime Focus. Animagic India director Sumant Rao is heading
the VFX for the movie.
"Eklavya
is something that's worth looking forward too. Besides the
VFX, we have also worked extensively on the storyboards, character
concepts, looks and styling in conjunction with the team"
concluded Chetan.
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