Cartoon Day in Malaysia

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Yesterday was a special day for me and my team in Sead Studio. We have been involved in the Awang Khenit series for a long time. The first season has been fully screened and played in the Malaysian television station. Now we are working on Season 2. The ride has never been an easy one. In Malaysia, the animation industry is an industry that has to walk with crutches. This crutch is the aide provided through government grants. Without government grant, this industry will be quite impossible to move let alone make profit.

People often ask me why I choose this industry if the task is such an impossible one. Well, my first love was actually for animation. In particular 2D animation. For us to first choose this career path, perhaps we have all chosen passion over gold.

(This is my team in Sead Studios)

(This is me many years later receiving the award on behalf although in my name, but it is the team that makes it possible)

The Award

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It was the 1st of April when all Malaysian cartoonist congregate to celebrate the Malaysian Cartoonist Day. This is also the day where awards are given to the best cartoonist and the best animators in the industry. A panel of judges will be formed to decide on the deserving candidate. Our Malaysian Minister for Communications and Multimedia was the invited guest of honour and the gave a short speech to acknowledge the struggle that we all know so well. Many publishers and production house are no longer able to sustain itself because of the paradigm shift in the industry.

I have to thank my friends from steemit who have turned up and they are @sireh, @orangila, @hanbun, @qimchi and @perennial.

Appreciation

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Although I am the founder of Sead Studios but I could not have done so without the support from my team. I have the talented colorist and background artist that many of you guys know as @aurah. If I can rate his work, it is nothing less than world class. This guy deserves to be working for Disney, Marvel or DC Comics. Then there is the renowned artist in @orenisme. His artwork has been exibited in art galleries in Malaysia and has received many critical acclaims.

I am merely lucky to be able to lead this team of talented individuals.

(@aurah's work)

(@orenisme's work)

There is a saying that you are only as good as the company that you mix with. I guess I am only as good as the people that supports me. I thank you guys from the bottom of my heart. I still remember the days when I was struggling to pay worker's salary and was in fact late in paying but you guys stood by me. I didn't have much but I still command the faithful following by you guys.

I hope with this recognition from the government and the animation industry, it will pave new path for Sead Studio to gain more international recognition and perhaps some financial assistance in production.

(@cartoonistpandan, @orenisme and @cartoonistlambok)

Just for your information, this is the 2nd year in a row that @cartoonistlambok has won the best cartoonist in Malaysia. Yes, he is on steemit and yes he is part of steem-cartoon, no, you have not seen his work because he is simply too busy to even start posting)

Keeping my fingers crossed for the best that is yet to come.

credit to @zomagic