Narayn Talakudar takes home cash prize and development deal with Toonz Media Group.
TRIVANDRUM, INDIA -- Toonz Media Group’s 2019 Animation Masters Summit has concluded its successful, two-day edition in celebration of the Art of Animation. Under the theme, “Connecting Content: Seeing the Big Picture,” this year’s summit brought together an exciting line-up of master speakers from the global animation industry, who both presented and networked with emerging creative talents and artists in attendance.
The AMS Cocoon Concept Lab is a program that encourages authentic storytelling and ideas by providing individualized concept development for up and coming concept creators and writers with a TV/Digital series idea or screenplay. This year, the summit received 74 entries from around the world. The projects were presented to a jury made up of representatives from key broadcasters across India.
The winner of the Cocoon Concept Lab was Narayn Talakudar, for his animation project: The Adventures of Detective of Dodo Dumdum.
The other finalists were:
- Mr. Inventor created by Narayan Talikdar
- Kalu & Bhooto by Aruit Ghosh
Talakudar was received on stage by Bernard Boiteux, sales manager for the Asia Pacific Region at Toom Boom Animation. Talakudar was awarded a cash prize of 50,000 rupees and will have the opportunity to develop his project and present it to the international market under the Toonz banner.
Established in 1999 as the first animation event in India, Toonz celebrates animation by bringing together experts and leading figures from across the world. Aspiring artists and creative talents are inspired by masters who showcase their work to animation professionals, entrepreneurs and the media, sharing their knowledge, experiences, insights and inspirations.
This year the event honored Anu Sikka, head of content, Kids Entertainment Cluster, Nickelodeon India and Viacom18, who received the Jury Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Animation.
Professor Raman Lal Mistry, animation guru and film designer, credited for creating the logo of Indian animation channel, Doordarshan, was awarded the Legend of Animation Award. The professor is a legend in the Indian animation Industry – he has inspired artists and talents across India over the decades.
The following master speakers attended AMS, sharing with and inspiring the 450 attendees:
- Christian Schneider, CEO of Gummybear International Inc., and the creator of the YouTube global success song ‘I’m a Gummy Bear.’ Schneider spoke on the importance of the idea and getting it off the ground.
- Anu Sikka, head of content, Kids Entertainment Cluster, Nickelodeon India and Viacom18 discussed localizing content to engage and connect with your local audience.
- Debbie Sterling, founder and CEO of the interactive kids’ games company, Goldieblox, gave insight on re-inventing girlhood and creating a 360-degree view.
- Vivek Ram, head of Vaanarsena Studios, and a modeling and visual effects expert with 20 years of experience, gave a presentation on dynamic storytelling and recreation. Ram has worked on global blockbuster films such as The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, The Incredible Hulk, and Alvin and the Chipmunks. He is currently working on an innovative and dynamic retelling of Indian mythology, in a contemporary manner, at Vaanarsena Studios.
- Peter Dodd, writer, animation artist and director, went through the steps on how to build a concept, create it, and transform it into a viable project. Dodd has worked on projects such as Watership Down, Frankenweenie, Fantastic Mister Fox and Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride.
- Uttam Pal Singh, the head Discovery Kids India, focused on connecting the creator and the audience and how to get to know kids and keep them engaged.
- Mayur Puri, screenwriter, lyricist, actor and filmmaker, empowered attendees on how to localize content without losing the flavor, and how to strike the right chord. Puri was entrusted by Pixar, Disney and Marvel in localizing content for India.
- Srinivas Mohan, visual effects supervisor, focused on the role VFX plays in the story-telling and narrative process. With 25 years of experience in the film industry, Mohan is one of the most well-known figures both in India and abroad.
In keeping with Toonz’s legacy of preserving local culture, the two-day event was rounded off with activities encompassing various forms of both traditional and contemporary regional art forms, including the puppet dance art of Tholpavakoothu, which was part of the program.
Source: Toonz Media Group
