Press Release 6 March 2012

A group of artists, illustrators, and animation enthusiasts have gathered together for a three week long Animation Workshop in Manipur, held in Imphal at the Manipur Film Development Cooperation from 25 January until 17 March. 

This first initiative of its kind in Manipur is a collaboration between the Government of Manipur (Art and Culture Department) and the UK based NGO, Adivasi Arts Trust;   The Secretary of the Trust, Tara Douglas felt that the folk culture of Manipur could provide interesting content and style for a short animation film for the “Tales of the Tribes” collection of animated folktales from the Northeast region.  An advertisement in the local “Sangai” newspaper attracted 23 participants, several of them Art College graduates or with some digital media experience. 

The first step was to choose a story, and a popular folktale full of humorous anecdotes about the mysterious “Tapta” was selected by the group to work on for the short film. The process then went on to the scripting and storyboarding phases, after which the group divided into two teams -  the story group, that will focus on the storyboard and timing the shots and actions and moving on to the animatic, and the art department where Yamnam Sapha Wangam Apanthoi M. (Swam) has become the lead character designer. All the artists have been referring to illustrated manuscripts of Manipur to develop an adapted style that will convey a charming “indigenous” look to the film. The film will be made using 2D cut out puppets to give it a handmade look that is suited for the children’s story.

Daily film screenings inspire the group with new ideas to express themselves through the animation medium.  The screenings are focused on experimental artistic films that engage a multitude of materials and creative methods.