Zhao Ye didn't explain to Xu Xiangming and the others that they would understand once "Calabash Brothers" became popular.
Currently, the huge Shanghai Animation Film Studio is only producing one animated series, "Calabash Brothers," which shows how tight the studio's budget is.
Many people are simply bored and have nothing to do.
Zhao Ye then introduced the four games that Wujiang Company was developing: Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Pokémon.
These four games have rich backstories and are easy to adapt into animation and comics.
Of course, the adaptation of Pokémon was even better. It has been proven that cuteness is justice and can capture the hearts of men, women, young and old!
So cute it's irresistible.
These are the adorable guys I'm talking about!
So, although Zhao Ye is introducing these four games to everyone now, when it comes to adapting them into animated films, the first one to be adapted is "Pokémon".
Pokémon had many other names in its previous life, including Pocket Monsters, Pokémon, and Pokémon.
Zhao Ye felt that calling it "Pokémon" seemed cuter.
Zhao Ye only spent a dozen minutes introducing the three games: Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, and Final Fantasy. However, he spent about twenty minutes introducing Pokémon.
He not only introduced them, but also showed everyone the pre-prepared images of the main characters, including Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Eevee, Arceus, Psyduck, Charizard... ten Pokémon images.
The game artists and animation artists will design more sprites.
"Boss, are you planning to adapt all four of these games into animations?" Xu Xiangming asked at this moment.
“Yes, but first we should focus our efforts on adapting Pokémon and making it a classic!” Zhao Ye nodded in agreement.
Zhao Ye believes that as long as the Shanghai Animation Film Studio produces the same level of quality as the 1961 animated film "Havoc in Heaven," the Chinese version of "Pokémon" will definitely become a global phenomenon.
"Wan Laiming and Master Tang Cheng, you two are the perfect directors for Pokémon!" Zhao Ye said, looking at Wan Laiming and Tang Cheng.
These two are the directors of "Havoc in Heaven". Entrusting "Pokémon" to them will give Zhao Ye more confidence.
Wan Laiming then looked at Tang Cheng, and the two nodded in tacit agreement.
So Wan Laiming said, "Okay, we accept the task and promise to do our best to make this animation a success!"
"Then I'll have to trouble the two directors!!!" Zhao Ye said happily.
"Oh, by the way, you should send someone to communicate with Wujiang Company regularly, since our animation is adapted from a game."
"Okay, we understand!"
"Well, that's about it. Meeting adjourned!"
...
...
The news of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio being acquired by Wujiang Company quickly made headlines in major newspapers across the country, but it only sparked limited discussion.
After all, most cartoon viewers in China are children, and children rarely read newspapers. Adults aren't interested in cartoons. Therefore, Wujiang Company's acquisition of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio was insignificant to them.
But for industry professionals and art students in China, it's big news.
Previously, the Shanghai Animation Film Studio was struggling, and art graduates were unwilling to go there. However, after the Shanghai Animation Film Studio was acquired by Wujiang Company, various benefits were greatly improved, and the Shanghai Animation Film Studio immediately became a place that art students longed for.
For a time, a large number of artists went to the Shanghai Animation Film Studio to seek employment.
The Shanghai Animation Film Studio is currently in need of manpower.
They accept almost anyone who comes.
Moreover, they not only recruit people majoring in fine arts, but also people majoring in paper cutting, puppetry, and opera.
Unlike the monotonous style of Japanese animation.
Shanghai Animation Film Studio boasts a variety of animation styles, including paper-cut animation, puppet animation, ink-wash animation, and opera-style animation. These animations, imbued with strong Chinese characteristics, are considered national treasures.
It's a pity that the Shanghai Animation Film Studio declined in its previous life; otherwise, how could Japanese animation have dominated the Chinese animation market?
Zhao Yan is a puppet artist who used to work at the Shanghai Animation Film Studio. Later, in order to make a living, she left the studio and set up a stall to sell goods to support her family.
Excellent skills were thus wasted.
I thought I would never be able to return to the Shanghai Animation Film Studio in my lifetime.
Unexpectedly, that afternoon, Director Xu Xiangming found him and asked him to return to the film studio.
"Old Zhao, Wujiang Company has acquired our film studio and improved the treatment of all employees. You can't let your decades of skills go to waste! Our film studio needs you!" Xu Xiangming earnestly advised.
When Zhao Yan heard that the film studio needed him, his defenses instantly relaxed. He had been with the film studio for more than 20 years and had an extremely deep affection for it. The film studio was like another home to him. If it weren't for the need to support his family, why would he leave the film studio to set up a street stall and sell goods here?
"Okay, I'm going back!!!" Zhao Yan nodded emphatically and immediately packed up the stall.
"I knew you'd come back. Our studio can't do without you. When we make puppet animations, it'll be a bit less impressive!" Xu Xiangming smiled upon hearing this and quickly squatted down to help Zhao Yan pack up.
...
More and more former employees of the Shanghai Animation Film Studio have returned to their posts, and the once stagnant studio has become vibrant again, as if a withered tree has come back to life. The employees are all smiles.
This change will inevitably rewrite the future of Chinese animation.
Wan Laiming and Tang Cheng quickly assembled a production team for the Pokémon anime, with a staff of up to 240 people.
Animations from that era were drawn frame by frame.
Animation typically uses 24 frames per second. It may not need to be one frame per second, but it does need to be several frames per second, or even more than ten frames per second.
The first season of the Pokémon anime had 275 episodes. How many drawings must have been made for that?
Zhao Ye's idea is that he plans to keep filming, finishing the first part, then the second, and then the third...
To develop Pokémon into a super IP.
Therefore, a large number of artists are needed for Pokémon.
Domestically, perhaps only the Shanghai Animation Film Studio has the capability to produce such high-quality Pokémon films.
In the early stages of adapting the Pokémon anime, Zhao Ye planned to get involved and guide the direction. Only after the production team was on track and familiar with the entire process and style could Zhao Ye truly let go.
P.S.: Two chapters today, more tomorrow.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
