Digital Animation major students from The One Academy made an inventive breakthrough in the local animation industry recently when they emerged as the first big-time winners in 3D Bites; Short Film Competition organized by ACA Pacific.

The competition was held in conjunction of 3DX Festival, Singapore where the country played host to the world’s first 3D-based film and entertainment technology festival this year.

Out of the three group participants from The One Academy who were shortlisted to the finals, Kevin Ng Chee Kin, Tan Yee Jenn, Teo Kai Keat, Jothan Chin Vun Zed and Lam Kok Kang from group 4+1 stood out the grand victor of the competition with their animated short film The Chase, featuring the amusing characters of a thief and two ancient vampires in a museum.

“For a moment, we were all in disbelief when we found out that our group was announced the grand winner of the competition. We’re speechless, definitely happy, and touched at the same time,” team leader Kevin Ng shares his overwhelming joy upon the group’s fruitful effort.

For making the grand win, Kevin and his group members were rewarded with RM1,000 cash, 3DX Executive Forums and 3DX Screening Pass worth RM6730.

Prior to the competition, the group decided to submit their final year project and have spent 10 months to improvise the near 4-minute short animation film The Chase; from pre-production to its 3-dimensional (3D) finish.

“Our short animation film is purely entertaining, as it has the Eastern and Western elements in the animated characters,” said Kevin.

According to Kevin and his group members, The Chase aims to get to the point of entertaining the audience. No more, no less.

“We want to make it short and quick so that it’s easier for general audience to relate to our film and be entertained,” co-member of group Tan Yee Jenn said.

So what makes The Chase stand out from the rest?

“There is consistency in our style. Our theme is similar to Tim Burton’s film genre but with a more realistic touch to the characters. The characters are set apart from the rest, have its own identity, and the film itself has its own distinctive mood,” said Kevin.

Two more groups from the academy that made it into the big winners’ list garner themselves consolation prize for their creative efforts. One of them went to group Berbird; Lim Zhi Kyu, Teow Chent Cheat, Lee Kian Meng and Chong Weii Kang.

Group Berbird submitted their short film Squeak & Franky, a combination of 2D and 3D that features a character who lose out in the end due to his selfish nature.

Another consolation prize winner was a group who call themselves Purple Monkey Dishwashers; Samuel Eng Kien Meng, Matthew James La Brooy, Fabian Soon Wee Yang, Louis Cua Lorenzo Canete and Martin Ang Leon Way won with their short film entry MNYAH featuring the concept of an animated household object.

Each consolation prize group winner received 3DX Screening Pass worth RM2730 and RM300 cash.

Throughout their 3 years of study at The One Academy, the students agreed that the knowledge and exposure gained has prepared them well to face the real world of the industry.

“Also, the lecturers here are helpful and will go all out to guide us,” Kevin said.

3D Bites is a Short Film Animation competition aims to honor outstanding short films created with 3D digital animation.

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