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THE PHILIPPINES, NOVEMBER 25, 2011: “Filipinos can really draw!” exclaimed Silas Hickey, Cartoon Network’s creative director for the region. “Do you have really good design schools here? Because it seems like everybody can draw.” Hickey admitted that he’s quite surprised that animation is not as big as it should be in the Philippines, considering that there is a wealth of talent and competitive studios that could get the job done.
Back in the country for the second time this year, Hickey is a speaker for Animahenasyon 2011, slated to discuss the fundamentals of animation. Taking time to speak with members of the media, he reinforced his call to artists, writers, directors, and production studios to pitch story ideas for a cartoon with full local content.
And what makes a great Cartoon Network cartoon? Strong, dimensional characters and a “kid-relatable” story, said Hickey. “And it shouldn’t be too ‘dialogue-y’. It creates trouble when dubbing,” he added, sharing a good quality of internationally televised cartoons. “Tom and Jerry”, for example, has been an export success for many years because it has very few speaking roles.
A region-specific SnapToons, Cartoon Network’s content development initiative, may be established soon, said Hickey, which could hopefully encourage more submissions of original content that appeals to the locals but at the same time could be great material for export.
Hickey is optimistic that a Filipino cartoon would be ready for airing by the last quarter of 2012. “We’re encouraging everyone (in the Philippines) to submit their story ideas. Just contact Cartoon Network Asia,” he said as a parting statement.
