Animation in Malaysia from its beginnings in 1946 until 2010.
What is it about?
The paper traces briefly, the history and the development of animation in Malaysia while also giving a broad overview of animated features in the ASEAN region. Animation in Malaysia took off commercially with the setting up of the Multimedia Super Corridor in the 1990s. To date, Malaysia holds the record from among the ASEAN countries for having made the most number of feature animation and television series. The paper talks about the feature films and the source of their narratives, from the first in 1998 (directed by the author) right up to the box-office success of the first 3D cinema feature in 2009, which kick-started the commercial animation industry.
Why is it important?
Once a highly-specialised area, animation in the digital age has enabled more and more young people to choose it as their career. This paper provides an understanding of how it all began and how it has developed from the analogue to the digital realm. This paper will help students, practitioners, lecturers and investors from within and outide the country to have a better understanding of how it was and inspire ideas on how to further develop the industry.