Research and interviews.

(Jonathan Marchant is a resource person for the Animation Workshop in Arunachal Pradesh (2013). He comes from Wales but lives in Burnley, Lancashire, UK.  He met Tara Douglas as a student at West Surrey College of Art and Design and joined the Adivasi Arts Trust in 2011).

What inspired you to get into animation?
When I was around eight or nine I saw a few films by Ray Harryhausen and Willis O'Brien's classic King Kong.  Something about seeing all those fantastical creatures burst into life resonated with me and I began experiments of my own with a Super 8 Camera.  My fascination continues to this day.  

What kind of animation do you prefer?
My preference has always been stop motion animation.  I've always found something magical about the idea of moving sculpture, which is what model animation at its best really is.

What is the most important thing for you when you watch an animation film?
Regardless of technique story is of first and foremost importance.  An audience will forgive certain technical deficiencies if the story is compelling enough. But slick technique over a good story rarely entertains.

What are your hopes/expectations of the Workshop?
I hope at least one person finds this process interesting enough to feel inspired to continue exploring the medium after the workshop.  If there is one person inspired enough to continue, it will have been worthwhile for me.

What do you know about the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh?
This is my first visit to this area and so my knowledge is very limited.  I am leaving knowing more than when I arrived and I feel enriched for the experience.

How do you see your skills as useful for this workshop?
Having years of experience in stop motion and enthusiasm for the production process as a whole I hope I am able to impart both practical and enthusiastic advice to the participants.

What do you think  will be of most interest to you about the workshop?
Everything!  I feel lucky to have the chance to experience new cultures where ever I am able.  To be able to have that experience with a purpose makes it all the better.

Will you be interested in working on the animation film production?
Yes, it is always good to see things through to completion.

How will it be possible to complete the animation film?
Apart from having the funds, it is necessary to have the enthusiasm and tenacity to get it made. I am personally prepared to devote time and effort toward that end.

How important is documentation of culture and what will you do in this regard during the workshop?
Documentation of culture is important as people often need to know where their roots are.  I feel that documenting culture is extremely important today as culture, society and traditions are change at an unprecedented rate.

Where can we show the animation film when it is completed?
A well made entertaining film is always welcome at film festivals where other avenues often present themselves.

What technique of animation do you think will be suitable for the animation film, and why?

I have a deep interest in stop motion so I generally consider this technique first.  Story is king so ultimately whatever serves it best is the right technique.  In this case I believe it is stop motion  after having seen The Art of the North East Frontier of India by Verrier Elwin.


(Vijay Punia  is a resource person for the Animation Workshop in Arunachal Pradesh (2013). He comes from Haryana and he completed the Under Graduate course in Animation Film Design at the National Institute of Design in Gujarat two years ago.  He now works as a freelance designer and animator in Ahmedabad).
What inspired you to get into animation?
I consider it to one be a medium well suited for telling stories and its wonderful as you can do wonders with this medium.

 What kind of animation do you prefer?
Well I like to be open about the medium of animation to be used, and I feel excited about any medium which suits the story in a good way. Although I do feel nice working with materials such as models and sand and other tactile mediums.

 What is the most important thing for you when you watch an animation film?
The story, not only the sequence of events which happens but also the manner in which the story is been told.

What are your hopes/expectations of the Workshop?
I just hope at the end of the workshop people should have some good idea about the medium of animation and they feel happy and excited about being a part of the process of an animation film which belongs their own land.

What do you know about the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh?
I do not know a lot about the tribes but I have been a part of a project where they have documented the tribal textiles of Arunachal so know a little about their weaving traditions .

How do you see your skills as useful for this workshop?
Well, I guess I have some experience in making animation films which I can share and would help people think and understand about what goes in making an animation film.

 What do you think  will be of most interest to you about the workshop?
New place, new people, new point of views, and new culture and traditions.

Will you be interested in working on the animation film production?
Of course it would be really nice to be  the part of the film from beginning till the end.

How will it be possible to complete the animation film?
By animating it. well I guess there is no other way. Jokes apart I guess the more important part is the commitment, and of course money is always required.

How important is documentation of culture and what will you do in this regard during the workshop?
I don't think documentation can really preserve any culture, but the documentation of information is always helpful to look back and find some good things which can always help us improve and enrich our present culture. I personally very rarely go back and read whatever I write but I always keep myself open to remember, absorb and apply the good things I come across anywhere, I think the same I would be doing here as well.

Where can we show the animation film when it is completed?
Anywhere I suppose, No one is a bad audience for a good story.

What technique of animation do you think will be suitable for the animation film, and why?

Personally I feel it can only be decided after listening to the story.




(Wangdan Wangpan is a young animator and  a resource person for the Animation Workshop in Arunachal Pradesh (2013). From the Wancho tribe of  Nyiaunu village Longding District, Arunachal Pradesh, Wangdan  is a student in his final year of the Under Graduate course in Animation Film Design at the National Institute of Design in Gujarat).


What inspired you to get into animation?
When I was a kid, I was always fascinated listening to the legends of the head-hunters, different nature Gods and ghosts and friendly talking animals. I would imagine the stories in my head and visualize them as a film or video and try to manipulate it in a best possible way to make it look good and believable. Later when I was little older I really wanted to upgrade myself to the next level and started painting my visualizations;  after that, I was introduced to animation in which I found the freedom to live my dream, so here I am now studying to become an animator. 

What kind of animation do you prefer?
I prefer 2D and stop-motion.

What is the most important thing for you when you watch an animation film?
The concept is the most important.

What are your hopes/expectations of the Workshop?
I hope that it will be an all round learning experience and that everyone will benefit from it. I also hope that the workshop will be a big contribution to the state and raise awareness of animation amongst the people.

What do you know about the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh?
Originating from Arunachal Pradesh, I know something about almost every tribe in my state.

How do you see your skills as useful for this workshop?
I am not yet an expert in my field but I am sure I can do good in the preproduction work like story board, visualization drawing, and character design.

What do you think will be of most interest to you about the workshop?
Interacting with storytellers and working with experienced animators.

Will you be interested in working on the animation film production?
I am not sure about yet because I am in my last semester of graduation programme in NID and I have to complete my own project also. But if I am able to complete my film on time then I will definitely join.

How will it be possible to complete the animation film?
Give proper time to the film. And complete it without taking gap and break.

How important is documentation of culture and what will you do in this regard during the workshop?
It is very important to document the culture. As we all know, culture is inherited from older generations and due to globalization the younger generation is moving to cities, so they hardly get any time to interact with their elders, resulting the loss of culture.

Where can we show the animation film when it is completed?
It can be showed in different  film festivals and film schools and also can be showed in different villages so that the people get inspired and know the value of culture.

What technique of animation do you think will be suitable for the animation film, and why?Stop-motion will be best because this is a field which requires very crafty work to make sets and characters, and a very precise hand to move the characters. According to me, Arunachal is a place where you will find people with awesome knowledge of crafts everywhere. The people here are very good with materials and they are very fast learners.

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