Voices Magazine-Vol4-Issue

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | January – April 2021 6 T he fourth staging of the bi-annual KingstOOn Animation Conference and Film Festival 2021 recently concluded, and students of the B.Sc. in Animation Development & Production programme have etched their names on the regional and international stage. This year, due to the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic, the event was held virtually from April 21-25, 2021 and featured several competitions in areas such as short film, character design and storyboard. The opportunity was also provided for leading creatives from the Caribbean to interface with some of the world’s most renowned influencers in the global animation sphere as well as with key movers and shakers in the animation industry, to include presenters from DISNEY, PIXAR, NICKELODEON, HULU & NETFLIX. There were over 4,000 animation lovers and professionals from 100 different countries in attendance. For the students and their mentor, the process of preparing for the event started five months ago when participants were asked to make ready and submit entries to the various categories. Current and past students from the B.Sc. in Animation Development & Production submitted a total of eight (8) entries to several different categories. There were varying levels of success in all the categories. NIjhuan Spencer a second-year student was featured in the Student Film showing with “My simp story”. And, Chloe Campbell, also a second-year student entered both the Character Design and Storyboard categories. Nicholas Wellington, who graduated in 2019, was selected as one of the five finalists in the Caribbean Short Film category. Nicholas’ film entitled “Pigeon School” was conceptualized while still a student and is centered around the pigeons that inhabit the campus. Video of his interview prior to the event may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_cSZRD-Dc and the entire film may be accessed from https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5sCDKXkq2Qo . Second year student, Renee Ross, placed second in the Caribbean Character Design category after being selected as a top five finalist. Her winning character is “Taegan, The Prosthesis Hero”: Shaquille Crosse, final year student in the programme was selected as a top five finalist in the Caribbean Storyboard category. He also entered the Character Design category. Additionally, Shaquille, along with his team members, Kyle-Andrew Lee (final year), Chevardi Gray (third year) and Dwayne Pottinger (final year), along with their mentor and lecturer Mr. Piralto McAnuff emerged winners in the Caribbean Concept category, with the concept “Jelly Man” coming through their newly registered company, Wetleaf Studios. The team members were shortlisted for a scholarship to the Capilano University’s Animation Summer Online Program and gifted with software licenses and digital tablets. The team was also awarded the opportunity to negotiate a development representation and co-production deal with Africa Animation Network and Baboon Animation Studios. The pitch for “Jelly Man” may be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=7Es66cWwQA4 . Mr. Piralto McAnuff, who joined the university as a full-time academic staff in January 2017, must be highly commended for the role he played in the success of the teams. Congratulations to all the winners, finalists, and entrants. Other highlights of the entries may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5sCDKXkq2Qo and the announcement of winners at: https:// www.animationmagazine.net/events/kingstoon-announces-2021- winners/ . Left to right: Shaquille Cross, Chevardi Gray and Kyle-Andrew Lee (missing is Dwayne Pottinger) Pitch: Jellyman Adventure (winner, Best Concept) SCIT Animation Students Shine at KingstOOn 2021