Kung Fu Panda creator Mark Osborne at IFFI 53 Master Class

Kung Fu Panda creator Mark Osborne at IFFI 53 Master Class

The most remarkable evergreen trend in animation filmmaking is l storytelling, said Mark Osborne, an American filmmaker and animator famous for his films like Kung Fu Panda and The Little Prince. He led a Master Class session on the topic' Animation as a Tool for Expression' on the sidelines of the 53rd International Film Festival of India.

"With the emergence of OTT platforms, creating content for a global audience will be the norm. But at the end of the day, he added that the film needs to connect with the people and touch their hearts ". He further said that for creating such content, finding out what is meaningful to you is essential. "If it is important to you and you are honest about it, you will find your audience. Honesty creates a fresh approach,".

Emphasizing the power of Animation, Mark said that Animation is a diverse and vast medium that can tell any story. Digging deep, he said, "To make somebody feel about something that doesn't even exist is really magnificent. It is the result of a continuous process of rewriting, rebuilding and experimentation. We feel the magic of Animation when you see it come to life eventually."

Mark Osborne also opined that one could not finalize an animation project in script form. "As far as Animation is concerned, the script is not locked. There is always scope for improvisation right to the last moment. It is going to evolve and change. Being a visual medium, we need to allow the visual medium to do a lot of work on the project".

In responding to queries, he said that every animator needs a support system to bring out the stories within them. "Supporting the artists and creators can help miracles happen. A safe space is needed for the artists to create animation".

On a cautious note, aspiring animation makers said that though it is essential to draw inspiration from masters, care should be taken not to imitate their work. "You have to find a balance by exploring your ideas. Every person will have a different perspective and life experience. Therefore, bringing this personal journey and adventure into filmmaking is paramount. Mark Osborne also gave a detailed presentation of his journey in creating the movie The Little Prince by adapting the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Prosenjit Ganguly moderated the session.

The Masterclasses and In-Conversation sessions are being organized jointly by Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), NFDC, Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and ESG.

A total of 23 sessions comprising masterclasses and in-conversations are being conducted this year to encourage the students and enthusiasts of cinema in every aspect of filmmaking