By
NOVEMBER 2, 2007
Asianjournal.com
Filipinos on Top of Hollywood Animation
IN recent decades, most US animation among them but his agent singled him out and
companies have relied on Filipino talents to brought him to Los Angeles. And the rest, as
bring to life varied characters from Mulan to The they say, is history.
Lion King to the Little Mermaid. For the past 11 years, Jessie has worked for
If you look closer at animated films, you will Fox Animation Studios, Film Roman, Klasky
see that there is a bahay kubo in little clownfish Csupo, Nickelodeon, Hanna Barbera, Paramount
Nemo’s aquarium in Finding Nemo. And there Pictures and Walt Disney TV. He was one of the
is a Mt. Mayon-inspired miniature volcano, Mt. few artists who were chosen to do The Rugrats.
Wanahakalugi. Thank Mang Nelson Bohol from Among the many other animation films Jessie
Catbalogan for that touch of Pinoy in one of has worked for are Flintstones Christmas
Hollywood’s box-office blockbusters.
attention to detail and are proficient in English.
special, Tom and Jerry, Addams Family, Johnny
Animator Virginia “Gini” Cruz, a Fine Arts
Plus, they have an innate ability to comprehend
Quest, Avatar, Winnie the Pooh, King of the Hill,
graduate of the University of Santo Tomas from
concepts and storylines better than their Asian
Yogi the Easter Bear, Avengers, Darkwing Duck,
Pasay City, got to animate Dory, the bluefish
counterparts.
Beauty and the Beast, 101 Dalmatians, Power
voiced by Ellen DeGeneres.
Mina Caliguia, managing director of ArtFarm
Puff Girls,Captain Planet and American Dad.
In Lilo & Stitch, there are parols hanging in
Asia, the first animation school in the Philippines,
“Every project that I worked on is my favorite
little Hawaiian girl Lilo’s Christmas sequence
supports this notion.
because it’s the passion of doing art work that’s
of the movie. That is the work of Manila-born
“We are entertainers by heart. We are
the most important thing to me. Every project
animator Armand Serrano.
expressive. We are unabashed in expressing
for me is a masterpiece,” told Asian Journal.
The surfer dude in the same movie, David
movement, compared to our Asian counterparts.
Home
Kawena, and the lovable alien Pleakley were
We are loud, physical, and wacky. All these
Jessie revealed that in his first few months
brought to life by 20-year veteran award-winning
characteristics have been translated into art
in the US, he was so homesick he wanted to go
animator Ruben Aquino from Mandaluyong.
form. That’s why we’re such good animators.”
home to the Philippines.
The Flintstones Christmas Carol, an animated
Another advantage that Filipinos have is
“I didn’t liked the States at first, “ he admitted.
film nominated for the Emmys, takes place in
the fact that they understand the nuances of
“After three months of staying here, I was so
Bedrock but is made in the Philippines.
American humor better than their other Asian
homesick, I wanted to go home and just stay in
Then, there is Stargate Digital’s Anthony
counterparts.
the Philippines. But I had a contract to finish.”
Ocampo, a Fine Arts graduate of the University
“Because of the Western influence the
“Homesickness is one battleground that is
of the Philippines, who won the Visual Effects
Philippines has had for so many decades, and
really hard to tackle. Being alone in a foreign
Society Award for his work on the Trojan horse
when you’re doing a cartoon [with] Western
country was a pain. But the Lord is good. He
in Helen of Troy.
humor, [Filipino animators are] able to animate
brought me to a good church, Word International
Global animation haven
it much better,” said Bill Dennis of Fil-Cartoons.
Ministries- LA where I met a new set of friends
The Philippines is now known as the global
Visit the various film studios in the US and
and family. It’s also where I met my wife Lizette.
animation haven. Industry estimates say about
you’ll be proud to see several wacky Filipinos in
We now have three kids- Jacob, Jessica and
90 percent of American television cartoons are
the drawing tables or cubicles.
Jeremy. For all the success and happiness I have
now produced in Asia. Of that, more and more
Jessie Romero, animator
now, I give glory to God,” Jessie said.
are bringing their business to the Philippines.
In 20th Century Fox Animation, you will find
Jessie revealed that in the animation industry
The animation industry in the Philippines
outstanding Filipino animator Jessie Romero.
in the States, Filipinos are known for their great
started in 1983 when Burbank Animation, Inc.
Born in Quezon City, Jessie was among a few
creativity and accomplishments. “Our race is well
set up the first animation studio in the country.
animators hired from Manila to work in major
respected in our field,” he announced.
This was quickly followed by Fil-Cartoons, a
studios in the States more than decade ago.
Jessie offered this advice to his kababayans.
wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanna Barbera,
Recently, Romero related to Asian Journal his
“For all the Pinoys who are starting your
a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting which
adventure from Manila to the entertainment
life here in the States, my advice is to learn the
employs nearly 650 people in Manila. Filipino
capital of the world.
culture that you are in. Educate yourself on how
artists and technicians draw, paint and film up
“Bata pa ako, mahilig na akong mag-drawing
to deal with the new environment. Don’t hesitate
to 25,000 sketches, mainly by hand, for every 30-
(I really love to draw even as a kid.). When
to ask for professional advice. If you are willing to
minute episode.
I learned that Fil-Cartoons needed artists, I
stay here for good, do not procrastinate in taking
After 20 years, the animation industry now
applied. There were several hundred applicants.
care of your documents. Make sure you have the
employs 4,500 full time employees in 40
Thank God, I was among the few who made it.
right counsel because there a lot of people in this
animation studios in the country. Its estimated
Two of us were immediately transferred to work
part of the world that will take advantage of you
revenues last year reached 54 million US dollars,
on Walt Disney projects.”
being new here in the States. Finally, be strong
according to reports.
“In 1996, 20th Century Fox was hiring Filipino
and trust that the Lord will see you through. God
Sense of humor
artists to work on Anastasia the Movie. Again,
bless you,” said the animator who is also a music
The Filipinos’ sense of humor makes this
there were hundreds of applicants. And by God’s
minister in his church.
profession a natural thing for us. Our love of
amazing grace I was one of the few who passed
Thanks to Jessie and other Pinoy animators,
storytelling and telling jokes as a people despite
the test. I knew it was only by God’s provision
Filipinos are being regarded in the global market
life’s adversities are traits that are valuable in this
that I was able to pass because there was a lot of
as animators par excellence; Manila is also the
line of work. Pinoy animators are recognized
very talented people who took the test. Even my
cartoon capital of the world. So, the next time
not only for their creative and artistic skills, an
bosses took the chance and tried to get in but
you watch a TV cartoon or an animated film,
important factor in animation, but also for the
did not make it,” Romero added.
take a closer look. You just might spot some
consistent quality and speed by which they
Sixty Filipino artists were brought to Arizona
Pinoy touches like a colorful jeepney or a bahay
can deliver their output. They also pay close
with their families. Jessie was supposed to be
kubo. (AJ)
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