Ready for co-production to be marketed globally

Bandar Seri Begawan - Don't be surprised if animations produced by local Bruneian companies hit international big screens in the near future through a possible co-production with some of Korea's best known animation companies namely CyberChicken and RG Animation Studios.

Miss Nadia Kim, CEO of CyberChicken animation studio, and Mr Kim Kang Deug, Executive Producer of RG Animation Studios, were in Brunei Darussalam yesterday and met with several local animation companies and were impressed with their passion and the potential they possess.

The companies the Korean animators visited are SocialBuzz advertising, Brulnnovedo Services, Ambuyart Animations and Media Hikmah.

CyberChicken, established in 2003, has vast experience in co-production. Some of its past projects involved famed companies like Warner Bros, Nickelodeon, Berlin Film, Bentobox, Milimages, DHX Media studio and others, while RG Animation studio is the creator of famed animation Back Kom.

It is an important starting point for the local animation industry in the buildup for further collaboration.

Miss Nadia Kim and Mr Kim Kang Deug in an interview said, "The Bruneian companies have passion, the producers are young and they have a lot of potential in animation. The key is passion which is a good point to work with them."

Miss Nadia Kim also described the animation industry in Brunei as fledgling and through collaboration with Korean animation companies, the industry can further develop.

"We can invite Bruneian animation companies to Korea and also bring to Brunei our expertise and share our experience. We have built up our experience for over 35 years, Bruneian companies can share our technology," the duo said.

Miss Nadia Kim said, "In the future, we hope to collaborate with Brunei's companies in co-production of animation that can be marketed globally."

Prior to the interview, both the Korean animators met with Dato Paduka Awg Hj Ali bin Hj Apong, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Chairman of Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) for a discussion.

The visitors said Dato Hj Ali was very keen on building cooperation to further develop Brunei's animation industry.

"Dato Hj Ali is very supportive of Brunei animation and I felt that he cares a lot about local young animators. He also showed interest in collaboration as soon as possible," Miss Nadia Kim said.

One of the collaborations will be through co-production and Miss Nadia Kim explained, "Our company CyberChicken has a coproduction project with a Malaysian company for an animation called Ninja Cat which is very successful. We worked together on the project and after two years, the content of the animation was vastly improved. This can also be done with Bruneian companies."

She also highlighted, "Through co-production, both companies can also share intellectual property rights and share the rights to the animation. A successful animation can also build on the image of Brunei to be better known to the world. Take for example Gangnam style by Psy, now more people know about Korea because of Psy and his song."

Mr Kim Kang Deug felt that there was also a need to educate the animators, the marketers and also scriptwriters. He added that the Brunei government's continuous support is vital for the development of animation industry and the long term strategies in developing the animation industry is for Korea and Brunei governments to work together.

However, to kick-start the co-production project there is a need for further discussion and signing of a memorandum of understanding as well as the government's support for the project.

Animation is not only entertainment but can also be an educational tool for kids.

Both the Korean animators said, "Animation is the future. Every kid loves cartoons and comics and through animation we can incorporate good values of life and children can better understand and learn the values of life as well as cultures."

With regards to using Brunei's folklore, both animators said the domestic animation will be good for the nation to help preserve the local culture. "It can teach children in Brunei to learn about Brunei's culture and traditional stories."

To become a successful animation company, the visiting Koreans advised local animators not to give up in the face of challenges. "If you fail, stand up again and try again."

CyberChicken animation studio is currently embarking on a new comedy animation called Pet Shop while RG Animation Studios is currently developing a two-hour animation feature of Super Back Korn and also 007 Back Horn.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin