Recently, the Co-work animation joint creation project among college students from China, Japan and South Korea, a part of the Asian Campus Plan sponsored by the Ministries of Education of the three countries and jointly implemented by Communication University of China, Tokyo University of the Arts and Korea National University of Arts, was successfully screened at the School of Animation and Digital Arts of Communication University of China after three months of preparation and two weeks of offline intensive creation.
The co-work project is divided into three stages: Pre-planning, Co-planning, and Co-production. The students were divided into six groups, each with members from China, Japan, and South Korea. Through two online meetings and 13 days of offline intensive creation, they overcame language barriers and cultural differences, worked together to create and produce six one-minute animation shorts.
Screenshots of each group's animation works
The theme of this project is Continuing Tradition. In a rapidly changing and all-embracing world, how do we stick to our roots? What does tradition include? What does it mean to continue tradition? Is it a faithful preservation or an adaptive transformation? How do social pressures and technological progress affect traditional practices? These questions form the basis of our discussion. Under the guidance of Chinese, Japanese and Korean tutors, each group of students continued to think and create around this theme.
China-Japan-Korea Teachers Seminar
Students work in groups
Stop motion animation shooting
Creative schedule one
Phased release
On the morning of July 16, the final screening of this co-work activity was held in the auditorium of the School of Animation and Digital Arts. Each group of students came on stage to present their works in English.
Each group presents their final works
Guests attending the screening included: Professor Mitsuko Okamoto, Vice President of Tokyo University of the Arts, and Keigo Ito, Research Assistant of the Animation Department; Professor Lee Jung-min, Animation Department of Korea National University of Arts, and Professor Lee Jing-hua and Wu Shang-ya, Specialists of the Asian Campus Project; Professor Wang Lei, Dean of the School of Animation and Digital Arts of Communication University of China, Professor Fu Long, Dean of the School of Music and Recording, Professor Jia Xiuqing, Director of the Department of Discipline Construction and Development Planning, Jiang Miaomiao, Deputy Director of the Department of International Exchange and Cooperation, and Deng Di, Director of the Graduate School Training Office. After the screening, the guests commented on the works of each group of students.
Professor Okamoto said: I was very pleasantly surprised to find that everyone's works contain rich food elements, which not only reflects the love of food in different cultures, but also shows the creativity and imagination of students. Each work is full of life and makes people feel warm.
Professor Lee Jeong-min said, “I am very happy to see so many excellent works. The students overcame language and cultural barriers and showed a high degree of cooperation and artistic talent. The next co-work project will be held in Seoul, and more schools will join the ‘Asia Campus Project’. I hope to see more wonderful creations then.”
Dean Wang Lei said: This is the third time that the Co-work project has been held at Communication University of China. I have seen that the students' works are very lovely and full of emotion. Thanks to all the participating members. Your efforts and creativity have touched me. In this rapidly changing era, it is very important to record and reflect our food, clothing, housing and transportation, which are key elements of human life. This is the 15th session of the project, and we are indeed making continuous progress. Thank you all.
Dean Fu Long praised: It is really admirable that everyone can complete such high-quality works in such a short time. If there is a need next year, the School of Music and Recording will provide more professional recording studios to help everyone create even better works.
Professor Jia Xiuqing said: I can feel everyone's dedication and enthusiasm through their works. Each animated short film is full of imagination and expands our horizons. The theme of this project is Continuing the Tradition, which is also the essence of the Co-work project. We will continue to carry forward this spirit. Finally, I would like to thank the teachers and students of the School of Music and Recording for their strong support for the project. Their music has added a lot of color to the animation.
Director Jiang Miaomiao and Director Deng Di also expressed their appreciation for the works of the Chinese, Japanese and Korean students, and congratulated the successful holding of this event.
Speech by leaders and guests from Chinese, Japanese and Korean schools
The China-Japan-Korea Co-work activities have been going on for fifteen years. Our school officially joined in 2012, and in November 2016, the China-Japan-Korea International Cooperative Course in Animation project jointly reported with Tokyo University of the Arts and Korea National University of Arts was selected into the Asia Campus Plan after international public selection and joint review. Among them, Co-work, as an important part of the plan, has been carried out every year with remarkable results. So far, it has expanded from joint animation creation to joint double degree, student exchange, course exchange, international workshop, high-level academic forum and other projects, becoming an important force in promoting the exchange and development of animation and digital media art education in China, Japan and Korea.
The Asian Campus Project is affiliated with the education ministries of the three countries and is a consensus reached at the China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting. It aims to promote cultural and educational cooperation and student exchanges among the three countries through various forms of exchange programs among universities in the three countries, and contribute to the cultivation of a new generation of outstanding talents in Asia.
Group photo of teachers from the three schools in China, Japan and South Korea
Participants' comments
Zhang Mengyuan
Heewon from South Korea developed a clear implementation plan, and I was responsible for drawing the storyboards based on everyone's ideas. Our teamwork went very smoothly, and I not only consolidated my teamwork skills, but also had in-depth exchanges with Japanese and Korean students in art, which enhanced my English skills.
Guo Jingyi
This co-work not only completed an excellent work, but more importantly, I met great partners. Professionally, everyone worked together in their respective areas of expertise, and I learned a lot of knowledge and ideas. This is a precious memory.
Zhao Yanyuan
In this co-work project, what I felt most deeply was the compromise and tolerance, collective consciousness and team spirit that everyone made in order to jointly complete a satisfactory animation. In order to jointly complete the animation, we made compromises and balances in creative themes and content, showing the dining habits and food culture of different countries. The team members tolerated my shortcomings, which made me feel involved in the team, and the final work achieved the expected results.
He Yuxiao
This co-work provided a rare platform for joint creation, where I gained experience, skills, friendship and love. This experience not only enhanced my professional skills, but also taught me how to work in a diverse team and how to overcome cultural barriers to understand and appreciate the unique perspectives of others.
Wang Xiaofei
Collaborating with Japanese and Korean students is not only a process of learning and creation, but also an in-depth cross-cultural exchange, which has brought my understanding of animation production to a new level. I deeply realized that despite the different languages and cultural backgrounds, art itself is a universal language that transcends words.
Li Siyuan
As a student majoring in digital media arts, this co-work was my first time to participate in a formal animation creation process. I learned standard animation production specifications from Japanese and Korean students, and through the event, I broke many stereotypes about Japan and South Korea and demonstrated the passion and richness of Chinese culture.
Liang Liwei
It was a great honor to be a part of such a special and fun event. Despite the language barrier, the team members established a deep friendship in just two weeks, and the animation work they finally completed transcended all barriers.
Du Jia
This co-work experience allowed me to personally experience every aspect of animation production, and I was impressed by the power of teamwork. I met a group of like-minded friends and gained valuable friendships and unforgettable memories.
Yi Zihan
I feel very lucky to be able to participate in this project. Although I was a little worried about the language communication problem at first, the teamwork was very pleasant and I am very grateful for the help of my classmates. This experience is very rewarding for me.
Reporter: Gu Xiaowen
