Four Thai animation studios have associated forced to start the ‘SILK’ program, with well-known director Nonzee Nimibutr as director and the purpose of exporting domestic animation to the world market.
An option of Thai cartoon characters from Imagimax.
Lak Taechawanchai, chairperson of the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association (Tacga) said the four workshops associated are Anya Animation, Imagimax, Imagine and Kantana. They are searching to produce a lead animation and have applied to Sipa for 10 million baht of assistance. In total, the project expects to finally attract some 100-150 million baht in financing.
Nevertheless, making one production which all four studios can consent on and work on together can be challenging and time-consuming.
Nonzee proposed that rather than all working on the one feature-length plot, the four studios instead could create separate 20-minute production which pursues a common main theme.
This model is inspired by the achievement of recent chapter-format movies like Thai horror release 4Bia and US production New York, I Love You. In this case, the four animators followed the theme of ‘Love’.
The team has not yet completed the plan but has already compose a 10-minute teaser supported by Sipa funds and plans to use this to promote the initiative and attract further funding from both domestic and international investors.
Auchara Kijkanjanas, Managing Director of Kantana Animation Studios, said this cooperation will embolden animators to share their skills and decrease the progress time for animated feature films from the current average of two or three years down to one year.
He added that this project allows studios to study from each other and transfer technology and experience. This is particularly valuable with Kantana Studios, which has the experience of making two theatrically released feature animation films, Khan Kluay and its sequel Khan Kluay 2.
This project should assist Thai animation studios to search opportunities in the global market.
Sutape Tunnirut managing director of Anya Animation added that the feature film will boost the company’s capabilities which had formerly been used mainly in animated TV series.
Kriengkri Supornsahusrungsri at Imagimax said this project will help to build Thailand’s brand glory in animation and intellectual property and diminish obstacles such as budgets and recruitment .
Earlier, the company outsourced many animation projects to the international market but this shows a chance to push Thailand into the global market.