Issue 49

The Thai animation industry is moving forward with a new generation of talented animators.

The creative industry in Thailand is driven by both the private and public sectors, from newly-established animation studios to the support provided by the DITP and the Software Industry Promotion Agency (SIPA).

In December 2015, the DITP and SIPA brought five Thai animation companies to the Asian Animation Summit (AAS 2015) held on Jeju Island, South Korea.

“The objective is to show the potential of Thai animation industry companies at an international event where there are networking opportunities with prominent animators, investors, partners and broadcasters,” DITP Director General Malee Choklumlerd said before the event.

Moonhouse Studio was one of the five animation studios chosen for the activity, which was held by Kid Screen in South Korea.

“At AAS 2015, we pitched our project to distributors from all over the world. It was a great opportunity for our team and we also learned how other countries are producing animation films,” says Moonhouse’s Founder Pavidcha Arayaphong.

After working as an animator in the US for over a decade, Arayaphong returned to Thailand to start his own studio in early 2015.

“When I was a child, I really enjoyed drawing and watching cartoons. After I graduated in architecture, I went to the US to continue my studies,” says Arayaphong. “My roommate at that time asked me to go to the animation class with him and that was how I began studying animation. So I stayed in the US for 14 years, studying and working as a pre-production designer.”

Arayaphong says it can take around six to seven years for an animated film to be completed, from pre-production stage through to release.
“Some of the animation films that I worked on in the US are Penguins of Madagascar and Strange Magic. In the US, I’ve also worked with Dreamworks and Lucasfilm,” he adds.

Arayaphong believes that the animation industry in Thailand has come a long way. Today, he says, there are a large number of software products for animators, and professionals within the industry are keen on learning new things and developing their skills. He adds that new graduates from universities such as Silpakorn and Mahidol are producing good animations as their theses.

“The heart of animation is the story telling. I believe that if we can do that well, Thai animation will be successful,” he says. “The people in the industry here are highly qualified and they are ready for opportunities to make new animated films.”

Arayaphong’s goal is to produce good animations that people really enjoy. “Its content doesn’t have to be about Thai culture, it can be anything that’s fun and enjoyable,” he says.

For more information, visit http://m-h-studio.com
Information courtesy of the DITP
Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub