At the MSC Innovation Center, where Hock Wong and his wife, Yu-Tzu Lin (right), gave a presentation of their works to the local artists. Courtesy of Multimedia Development Corp.

Taiwan — Building a Strong Industry Through Nurturing the Next Generations
Our first impression when we visited Taiwan was that it seemed like every one is doing animation!! Well, that’s exaggerated of course, but the fact is, there are more than 100 institutions teaching animation in the country!

We were originally scheduled to do a seminar at Yuan-Ze University and Long-Hwa University. However, a few days before we arrived, we were asked if we could also speak at couple other institutions. Apparently, they have gotten news that some, “Hollywood animation gurus are visiting.” My wife and I never thought of us as “animation gurus,” but it goes to show how enthusiastic they are.

Taiwan was our last stop in our trip. Besides visiting my in-laws, we were also invited to share our experiences at the universities. They have keen interest, especially after finding out that my wife, also a Taiwanese, is a look development painter at Disney Feature Animation.

Like many countries in Asia, the Taiwanese government is implementing various initiatives to promote the animation industry. In 2000, the government announced the, “200 billion (Taiwan New Dollars [TWD]) and double starts” project to promote the IT industry, biotechnology, as well as digital contents. The goal of digital contents is to reach up to TWD$370 billions in production value and 30,000 employees, according to Shihming Chang, lecturer at Yuan-Ze University.

At Yuan-Ze University, we spoke on our learning and working experiences in the U.S. to a packed lecture theater. It was a full day event with half of it being a Q&A session.

The author and his wife (right), speak to a packed lecture theater at Taiwan’s Yuan-Ze University.

China — The Next (Animation) Super Power?
Nowadays, the words “made in China” have become a popular buzzword of the global business world. With a blooming economy and cheap labor force, this trend is spreading to the realm of animated characters.

According to a recent report, Mainland China’s animation industry has an annual production value of RMB$2.5 billion, modest compare to China’s economy. But, in the coming years, the industry will become a major initiative in China’s economy, especially for the eastern costal cities of Shanghai, Hang Zhou and Shen Zhen. These cities are not only prospering with the development of high-tech and manufacturing industries, its vicinity to major transport routes and the coast, developed infrastructure and an abundance of low-wage skilled labor, is the major driving force. It is no co-incidence that they have been short listed by the Chinese Central government as the three focal cities for dong man (comic and animation) development called, “Cultural City Developing Strategy.”

Under the instruction of “Cultural City Developing Strategy” in the coming 25 years, the animation industry will probably become the mainstay industry in Shenzhen. By then, Shenzhen will become the “Animation Valley in China,” said Sunny Kuo of World Peace Media, based in Shen Zhen.

According to statistics from the Shenzhen Film & TV Animation Assoc., there are about 500 enterprises in Shenzhen that create and produce animation, with a working force of nearly 10,000 annually making several hundred million (RMB) worth of productions. In the future, the animation industry will be an important part of cultural industry and will eventually become the major industry of Shenzhen’s economy.

Being one of the Special Economic Zones with Hong Kong, Shenzhen has had the earliest animation production bases in the Chinese Republic, since the ‘80s. At its peak, nearly 70% of creative staff gathered here, making a large volume of animation products for both overseas and domestic markets, Kuo added.

The Hong Kong-based, Hua Yu International Dong Man (comic and animation) company (CCEC), started a production facility at Shen Zhen in 2004, It aims to cater to the needs of its growing international clientele.

Dong, Guo Hua, owner of CCEC, having worked closely with the city of Shen Zhen authority, has provided us with some of the initiatives undertaken by the city.

• Implement priority development strategy. This is achieved by building animation into the city’s main cultural industry, with priority support and incentives in terms of funding, technology, resources, taxes, etc.

• Building a complete and comprehensive industry. For example, production, distribution, research, development, publishing, retail, servicing, original IP, merchandizing, display technologies, etc. will be important measures to make this a successful industry. Expedite that with building an animation research park. By 2010, Shen Zhen will be an international epicenter for top quality animation, through creating successful original IP. And, thus, Shen Zhen becomes a major part of China’s economic growth.

• Promote creation of original IP. Focus and promote creating of original content in order to bring the industry to the next level. Through annual animation and gaming development competitions, the government will look into purchasing original content. The goal is to produce 50-100 original creations, to build a library of copyrighted content and to build a spin-off merchandizing industry.

• Better management of licensing, trading and tax system. Being a pioneer city for animation, the city government is giving more breaks in terms of taxation, investments, licensing, import/exports, etc.

• Improving on various related services, such as building a world-class filming sound stage, animation production centers, certification systems for instructors, training centers, copyright protection, distribution centers and centers for international collaborations.

• The city will also lend its support to the following areas:
  • The city will fund up to RMB3 million or 10% of building facilities that benefit the community, such as training, equipment rental, etc.
    
  • Rental subsidies for new companies (up to three years).
    
  • Funding and rewards.
    Loan interest rate subsidies of RMB 300,000 to RMB1 million.
    Up to 1:1 co-investments of selected projects that are beneficial to the city and the country.
    Rewards of up to RMB one million for local animation productions; up RMB two million for nationalized productions.

• Bridging the gap between animation and high-tech industry, through collaborations, financial support, etc.

• Increase airwave for animated content. Animation has to make up at least 30% of TV content.

• Extending channels for publishing, including collaborations among major publishers, online publishing, etc. Organize trade shows, conventions, forums, etc, to promote products, personnel exchange, collaboration with international companies, etc.

• Better copyright protection.

While the future of animation in Asia is promising, many challenges still lie ahead, such as training and development, privacy, skill levels, communications, infrastructure and talent. However, many of these issues are being resolved. With the efforts from the government bodies, as well as the unprecedented collaboration among the different countries, there is a huge amount of information exchange, skills and knowledge transfer. Production standards will rise and we will undoubtedly see more and better quality productions emerging from these countries.

At the same time, many of us hope that with the rapid growth, animation companies in Asia will help to promote, protect and incorporate their unique cultural background and heritage into their productions, much like how manga and anime have evolved out of the unique Japanese culture. Government bodies have the responsibility to ensure that they do not lose this with the influx of mainstream popular culture. It would be a great loss than cannot be justified by any monetary gains.

Hock Hian Wong is a native of the tiny island country Singapore. After completing two and half years of mandatory military service, he studied animation in the U.S. and has been working in the animation industry ever since. He is the lead animator at Sony Computer Ent. of America’s cinematics department.