Animator on Animation, Part II: First Local 3D Animated Movie

The previous of the "animation" post had a number of mixed responses, good or ill, thatI find very fascinating, even to the point that I had no idea initially how some of them even knew of my little abode here. Anyhow, previously as I have mentioned, it was in general and nothing explicitly specific. This time round, my focus has more focus on something more specific.

For the Malaysian Animation industry, we have just recently hit a momentous moment in our history with the release of our first ever 3D Animated feature, "Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula" by Les Copaque Productions Sdn Bhd.

My position here is to be objective, and to be fair to the many praises heaped upon the production, the rounds of laughs and applauses in the cinema is evident enough of the overall material that this film is. I believe that no matter the comments and discussions, even if some of such were my own, if you captivate your audience well enough, then you've done it.

Hurrah! Victory!

After all, for what purpose do we make these stories and tales if not for the pleasure of our audiences? With that in mind, on the overall basis I would agree "Geng" as a definitive good start in the history of the Malaysian animated features. I would not go to the lengths of saying I am a harsh critic of these things, but typically I have specifics I in my tastes and on the whole I enjoyed the movie well enough. Which is rare for a local production because as most of those closest to me knows I don't have much liking for local works. I tend to put all productions, local and international, to more or less a similiar bar.

Every work has things we personally disagree or have reservations about, and these sometimes are the results of complications along the working pipeline and all; I would know because I had to struggle through some of them myself. Geng is no different. There are a few things I disagree, creative calls or design aspects or storyline/storytelling aspects and a few things I think could be pushed further, like the animation, audio, certain dialogues (though I think quite a number of these dialogues are good enough). These are no brainers I would think and given time, patience and the willingness to review upon feedbacks and experience, I am sure it would be ratified.

I'm not going to list all grievances because then I'd have to elaborate them all, and I would end up not finishing my own work here at the studio. But I will put two at the very least.

1. Audio. Some scenes have a chaotic sense in its number of audio elements, each vying for prominence. I know sometimes a scene have to give a sense of chaotic commotion going on but it shouldn't be to the point of making some get headaches trying to make out the sound. I do know however, from working as an editor for some 7 months or so of which I was under the 'mentorship' of an experience senior editor, that audio is much much much harder to manage that many would think. I'm still not so good at adjusting those aspects myself, but I do know enough now to appreciate and respect its complexities.
2. Minor animation flaws. Some character walks seems sliding. Some character actions does not feel the emphasis of weight to it. And as a collegue pointed out to me, he'd prefer more and stronger expressions from the characters. These are fortunately not that numerous or distinctly noticable enough to affect the overall feel of the film. And before anybody points out, I have received similiar comments on my own works as well. Oh well, we are all in the same boat perhaps :P

I would lastly, like to point out on one thing in particular. Actions scenes. They're quite good. Well, maybe not Hollywood-Good, but for me they were among the best things about the movie. Nice shots and compositions, as well as cool actions. It works and that's all that matters, nevermind that it cant go more over-the-top Hollywood like. I applaud on that matter as well as the whole "almost King Kong-like Fight" between the mother-creature and the giant snake. Truly, I thought many local film makers would be too timid or incapable of making such action/violence, even though in a cartoony manner. Geng did it, and I respect that.

I end my thoughts on this by saying that though being well aware of the lesser and more limited resources available to the fellow artists of Les Copaque compared to the productions of many international studios, we should always place our labor upon the same altar as theirs, and know that in doing so we achieve two most noble things; humility, as well the drive to be better in the future, for we can not, and should not, use the limitations of local resources as a constant justification for shortcomings.

Geng: Pengembaraan Bermula by Les Copaque has made the first step for our local industry. Will we go on to take the next steps?


--* What ever happened to the pimped out motorcycle that lost one sideview mirror during the 'racing scenes'? --