GURUMANTRA 3, organized by the Society for Animation in Delhi, with its focus on Animation Production for TV and Films, was successfully held on Friday, July 13, 2012, at the Civil Service Officers’ Institute.
Its two sessions of one-and-a-half hour each were mentored by, first on “Creativity”, legendry creative Guru, Prof. Subodh Lal, Chairman AKS Media, former Executive President ZEE TV, and second on “Techniques and Technicalities”, by Sharad Mittal, Founder CEO of Kathputlee Arts and Films. Prof. Subodh Lal spoke of the uniqueness and freedom of thought required for a story to develop and translate from mind to “canvas”. He engaged the audience in a unique story-building session, guiding the audience on how and where modifications could be made if desired, and how to interpret it into animation. On the techniques and technicalities, Sharad Mittal deciphered the role of hardware, software and their creative uses in building animation blocks. His showreels swept the audience into rounds of applause, surprised that such excellent, world-class animations were being made right here in Delhi, particularly the CWG spots.
True to its promise, the Society also introduced MOMs – Moments of Mementos – in recognition for excellence in animation. Elaborating on the concept, Mr Madan Pania, President of the Society said that moments would be formalized, systematized and regularly awarded to individual animators and organizations whose impact on Indian animation could be adjudged as “outstanding” by an independent jury.
Both, Divya Gupta, as team member of the OSCAR winning animation film, HUGO, and Varun Mehta, for his international award winning short animation film “The Unknown World” were awarded with ‘Moments’ in recognition for their achievements on international platform. Both of them also announced taking up life membership of the Society, with immediate effect – to a round of resounding applause by those present.
SAID also gave away prizes through a lucky draw among participants. First prize went to Hemant Srivastava, Assistant Professor at Amity University, second prize went to Pranav Jindal of CG Mantra, and third prize to Sarthak Mitra, independent animation production house.
Overwhelmed with the success of GRURMANTRA3, the Society has announced that the plans are afoot to hold GURUMANTRA 4 on a much larger scale in the second week of September 2012, on the subjects of Puppet Animation and Clay Modeling. Opening of registration and event date will be announced soon. Keep watching this space.