The 4th China (Beijing) International Student Animation Festival (also
known as Aniwow! 2009) with the theme: "Be Together", began on
Wednesday at the Communication University of China (CUC),
October 28, 2009. [CRI] 

Despite plummeting business confidence in sectors like the IT industry amid the economic downturn, the gaming and animation industries have stayed relatively upbeat. Up-and-coming animation talents, established animators, academic authorities and animation companies gathered together in Beijing on Wednesday for Aniwow!, a themed Animation festival.

The 4th China (Beijing) International Student Animation Festival (also known as Aniwow! 2009) with the theme: "Be Together", began on Wednesday at the Communication University of China (CUC).

71 entries of the 1,623 submissions from all over the world entered the final selection and will compete for the White Poplar award at the grand closing ceremony which takes place on Saturday, October 31.

Sophisticated works by the students, highlighting originality, diversity and independence, amazed the 12-member judge panel of both domestic and oversees experts, which was seen as a very positive sign for the industry's bright future.

On the Chinese mainland, 80 percent of imported animations distributed every year are from the US. Obviously that powerhouse of animation stands top of the industry with animation elites from world leading studios like Disney and DreamWorks. Its blockbusters thrill the world from Lion King to the Shrek series, the Prince of Egypt and Kung Fu Panda, to name just a few. Some of the visiting specialists from DreamWorks to the film festival shared the working magic behind those wonders.

David Pimentel, a head of story at DreamWorks Animation receives an interview with a reporter
during the opening ceremony of Aniwow! 2009 at the Communication University of China
(CUC) on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. [Photo: CRI] 

David Pimentel, a head of story at DreamWorks Animation storyboarding on such films as Shark Tale, Shrek 2 and Kung Fu Panda, is on the judge panel. He talked about some animation ideas and the DreamWorks training regime.

Cross-cultural stories are most successful

The success lies in a good story, regardless of a big budget. According to David, it usually takes three or more years to produce a good movie starting from the first planning and storyboarding until the final project is completed.

China delivers a considerable amount of animated films every year, but few receive international recognition. Statistics available on SARFT show China has kept a stable growth rate in its output and in 2008 yielded 249 animations, up 28 percent on 2007.

"The creative innovation of China is at its beginning stages and it has the ability to explode and be one of the largest most influential animation communities in the world," David added, suggesting he expects the animation industry in China will continue to grow.

Reviewing the entries left him with a wonderful impression of Chinese animation. He hailed the budding Chinese animators. He used a cultural metaphor comparing films specific to Chinese culture to a budding flower, saying that, through that budding flower, Chinese culture will expand to the world. But what kind of story is relatable to the whole world? What type of story can everyday people relate to, and how can we overcome the language barrier?

David revealed this year's White Poplar winner does just that.

"You don't have to speak Chinese, American or German, it doesn't matter. It goes for every culture and you understand it. That's the kind of stories we want, that's crossing culture that relates to everybody in the world. Those are the most successful stories."

Story is the most important part

Quick and occasionally sarcastic US animations are usually box office hits for both the young and the old. They can be funny or entertaining, but most importantly, they are always inspiring and convey a message the animator thinks is important. David intimated that focusing on humanity doesn't necessarily mean a serious film, it could be serious, scary, or funny, it just has to be relatable and people should be able to relate.

American animation blockbusters are also well known for their dazzling special effects. David says special effects in animation features are especially necessary. However, the most important thing is the story. It is the center and everything evolves from this point in circles; the special effects are at the outer reaches, as they have to be done at the end. They provide the final touches, without those the movie will look dull and lacking in color, fire, light and rain; all the things that emotionally involve the viewer in the story.

David shared his experience with young Chinese animators planning a career in animation. He told them that one should always research stories and enjoy experiences as people get stories from everyday life. He told the budding animators that they should always tell stories that come from inside their hearts.

The training program at DreamWorks: swim or sink?

Working at DreamWorks, the pinnacle of world animation, has become the dream of many animation students. The rigid selection regime and completive training strategy well demonstrate why the studio has been so outstanding and how it keeps the bar so high.

David discussed the recruiting process for his film team. The recruiters visit schools around the country and give the students a chance to show their proposals. They select the very good ones of the thousands before they are given the hard test. Only five trainees will be accepted and each trainee will start under the one-to-one mentoring program.

Usually after six months of probation, the trainee, if good enough, will be put into production on specific films. The trainee moves from one project to another with the same mentor.

"The same kind of work I am going to do is the same kind of work I want her to do. It is the best way to learn. It's like swimming. Throw them in the water, sink or swim?" David praised his current trainee, saying she is doing a fantastic job and suggested the training program may be similar to one used in future for Chinese studios.

He predicted there may be possibilities for Chinese students to apply for the training program at DreamWorks.

Ben Balistreri, a DreamWorks character designer receives an interview
with a reporter during the opening ceremony of Aniwow! 2009 at the
Communication University of China (CUC) on Wednesday,
October 28, 2009. [Photo: CRI] 

What appeals to the World Are also similar

Ben Balistreri, a DreamWorks character designer and Emmy award winning designer for his work on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends in 2004 shared his opinions on character design.

"What appeals to the world are also similar that good characters, people that we can all relate to, the struggle of good vs evil, the struggle of all of us that want to succeed something or triumph over big obstacles, universal themes like that but it doesn't mater whether you are from the United States, China or elsewhere. I think that will appeal to people."

While Chinese people look outward for inspiration, the DreamWorks specialist reminds people to look inward for that one brilliant idea.

"Chinese culture is so rich". He said the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games was the one of the most beautiful things that he had ever seen, and the greatest opening ceremony he has ever seen. Ben said if Chinese animators were capable of creating animation similar to that, the world would surely be blown away.

A snapshot of Po drawn by Ben Balistreri on site for fans of Kung Fu Panda. [CRI]