Toonz Academy: World Animation Day Workshop Rocks!

Students from Nirmala Bhavan create the best animation film at the World Animation Day Workshop conducted by Toonz Academy.

The first runner up is Christ Nagar HSS and Second Runner up is St. Roch’s Convent School!

Trivandrum, October 29, 2010 – Supriya D, Resmi L R and Ann Sara Abraham of Nirmala Bhavan, have bagged the first prize for the best animation film they created at the World Animation Day workshop conducted by Toonz Academy. The first and second runner ups have been bagged by Christ Nagar HSS, Kowdiar (Jishnu B and Vishnu B) and St. Roch’s Convent, Shangumugham (Rubina Rajabudeen and Jincy Joseph). The winners were announced at the valedictory function held today at the Kesari Memorial Hall. Hon’ble Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Shri M Vijayakumar gave away the prizes to the winners.

Toonz Academy had organized a one day workshop to celebrate World Animation Day on October 27, 2010 where 60 students from 27 schools from Trivandrum district participated. The students in groups of 2 to 3 were provided with a theme – ‘A Man in front of a Whale’ and were asked to brainstorm on story ideas. The groups with the guidance of Toonz experts created their own animation characters into 40 second films. 24 animation films were produced by these students.

The animation films were screened at the valedictory function today. Renowned film editor and director Sri. Arun Kumar awarded the certificates to all the students who participated in the workshop.

Giving away the prizes, the Chief Guest Shri M Vijayakumar expressed his happiness in being part of such an initiative where children were given the opportunity to give wings to their creativity through a medium that is most liked by them – Animation. He also stressed on how learning can be made interesting in schools by adapting animation as a way to communicate.

In his presidential addres, Toonz Academy President R K Nair said, “We are immensely happy to have conducted this workshop for children on World Animation Day. Animation today is being used in all sectors and it is necessary that students understand the latest technology and innovation in the animation field. The workshop was held solely with the objective to make them understand the efforts behind making a good animation film. The enthusiasm displayed by these 60 students to learn every nuances of animation has given us immense satisfaction. We were also astounded at the creativity these students exhibited and the stories they have created in the process. Their enthusiasm and response to this workshop is a morale booster for us.”

Noted film editor and Director Sri Arunkumar, himself a graphics artist and 3D animator, gave an expert talk on animation in movies which the participants found to be very informative. He also shared his own personal experiences in animation, post production and direction.

Mr Vinod AS, Academic Head of Toonz Academy talked, with the help of film footage, and explained to the students how some of the spectacular scenes of famous movies were actually made with the help of animation and special effects.

The ceremony was also attended by staff and students of participatory schools, and from Toonz Academy.