Uncategorized | Miracle Animation Studios Inc.

Taiwan Delegation: Digital Content Industry Cooperation

18 06 2015

Last June 16, 2015, the Board of Investments (BOI) together with the Export Management Bureau (EMB) formerly the Bureau of Export Trade and Promotions (BETP) organized a business meeting between 4 Taiwanese firms and some local firms who are members of the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP – 8 firms) and the Animation Council of the Philippines (ACPI – 3 firms). The purpose of the meeting is to form business relations and collaborations with the Taiwanese and local digital content firms. The meeting was held at the topmost floor of the BOI building located at Buendia Avenue, Makati City from 9 am to 5:30 pm.

Last year there were some Taiwanese delegates who just visited the country and scanned the business prospects in the digital content industry. This year, the meeting is more for networking with local firms which is handled by the EMB.

The first half of the day started with the BOI and EMB explaining their roles as facilitators to help foreign firms invest in the country and promote the products and services of the local firms for the foreign markets. After the BOI and EMB presentation, the animation and game industry of Taiwan presented their organization and functions. This was then followed by both the GDAP and ACPI roles in the local gaming and animation industry.

With Taiwan Animation and Game Representative (Right Most)

After a brief lunch from 1:30 to 2 pm, the first Taiwanese firm – Cookys Digital Park Corporation Inc. presented their company. There was a young Taiwanese interpreter from their firm who interpreted the Taiwanese language into Tagalog (not English). However, their presentation lasted more than 30 minutes that the BOI had to step-in and change the original schedule; so that the 3 other Taiwanese firms need not present themselves. The new format was asking the 4 Taiwanese firms who they want to talk to and the chosen local company was given 30 minutes each to talk to the Taiwanese firms. Top Peg Animation Studios Inc. was scheduled with 2 Taiwanese companies from 3:30 – 4:00 pm and 4:00 – 4:30 pm.

Cookys Presentation

Translator to Tagalog (Standing)

3:30 – 4:00 pm – Xanthus Animation is a 3D Taiwanese animation company looking for content and a partner to produce 3D animation. They have the people and computers but they have no project yet. They were wondering if there is a local 3D animation market for television and films.

4:00 – 4:30 pm – Keritai Co. Ltd. has an App content editor that can upload comics and videos to their App and view it through streaming. The App is secure that one does not need to download the content only view if through wifi. They said they have a partner for the monetization part.

After the 2 companies, the BOI gave Top Peg the chance to talk to the remaining Taiwanese firms. Cookys Digital Park Corp. Inc. is looking for distributors to publish their games in the Philippines. While Softstar Entertainment Inc. is a game developer (game programming) looking to collaborate for the assets in the games. Grace suggested that they do the programming while Top Peg does the assets but they questioned why Top Peg needs them if Top Peg can just look for local programmers. Grace countered that they are more experienced than local programmers.

Grace with Genral Manager of Cookys

Some of the GDAP and ACPI members did not talk with the Taiwanese firms as their needs and services don’t match with those of the Taiwanese.

Article by Edward L. Tan – interviewed Grace and Alstaire through phone. Pictures by Alstaire

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Categories : Animation, Anime, Crop Circles, Jobert, Jobert Animation, Jobert Anime, Jobert Cartoon, Miracle Animation Studios, Mobile games, Philippine Animation, Pinoy Animation, Pinoy Anime, Uncategorized

GameFounders Big Asia Tour Featuring Unity

13 06 2015

GameFounders, a group of people who as gone to different parts of the world to look for games and studios that would be given an opportunity to promote their games. Their goal is to propel games that are picked and give them the proper head start in the industry. They set a game pitch last May 29, 2015 in A Space 110 Legazpi Street, Makati as one of their destinations in their Asian Tour; the pitch was launched around 5 pm by Mr. Anthony Walker, COO and Partner at GameFounders. He talked about the pitches that was conducted in other countries and the progress of each of the previously selected games. He highlighted the previous attendees’ pitches goals and processes and described the steps the individuals took to attain the goals within their timelines. The next speaker was Mr. Sho Sato, Chief Analyst at Media Create; he gave us an insight on statistics of gaming in Japan. He also gave us tips on how we can get a good start in making games and how to make it a lasting game. There were two other speakers Mr. Siow Aik Wee of MDEC and Mr. Gabby Dizon, CEO and Founder of Attitude Games. The talk, presentation and socials ended around 8:30 pm.

Mr. Anthony Walker of GameFounders

Mr. Sho Sato of Media Create

Mr. Sio Aik Wee of MDEC

Mr. Gabby Dizon of Attitude Games

The pitch started with lots of energy and promise. The first pitch was very simple and was presented on a short powerpoint presentation. The said game was inclined on a graphic novel and on role playing game (rpg) themed game. The next two individuals provided a more elaborate display of their games by presenting some visuals of what their games could be. One was a very colourful puzzle themed game that is composed of mini-games and the latter was a 2D brawling game. The last presentation was Top Peg Animation Studio’s entry CHECKMATE which I created and MAZE RIDER created by Kristopher Rafael. Our presentation was complete with flyers, stickers and brochures that were given away. We also provided a playable demo of the game for people who want to try it out. We got great tips, marketing perspectives and additional information to add to our games in the near future. There were some advice on refining and improving our logos, character designs and some assets. CHECKMATE and MAZE RIDER got good reviews since both were unique in theme, game play and art design.

Pitching Reminder

Pitcher 1

Pitcher 2

Pitcher 3

Catherine Bunag Ruiz Pitching Checkmate

Catherine Bunag Ruiz

Kristofer Rafael Pitching Maze Rider

Kristofer Rafael

Pitcher 6

Testing the Mobile Game

Catherine with On the Job Trainees

Grace with Catherine and Kristofer

We look forward for the next event to try our luck once more and to be able to share our experiences and meet new people in the gaming industry. It is very good to see that there are individuals seeking to create unique and innovate ways to make games that benefits the game development and playing community. It is also very inspiring that organizations such as GameFounders push new games to be better rather than criticizing and putting other developers down. The event provided a positive learning environment for all the creators who presented their game concepts.

Article by Catherine Bunag Ruiz, Creative Programs Coordinator Top Peg Studios Inc. Illustrator and Game Concept Designer

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Categories : Uncategorized

K to12 in Relation to Arts and Animation

7 05 2015

Overview

The Philippines will convert into a new system of education for high school by 2016. Instead of 4 years in high school (also called Grade 7 to Grade 10, first year to fourth year) an additional 2 years will be added called Grade 11 and Grade 12. DepEd is the government agency involved in the preparation and implementation of this major change in basic education since its announcement in 2010. To know the reasons behind the K to 12, just search for the Philippine Daily Inquirer article: DepED to announce K to 12 program Tuesday by Tarra Quismundo on 10/5/10.

Three government agencies are working together to achieve the K to 12 implementation:

1) DepEd – Main agency basic education (elementary to high school)

2) TESDA – To help in the curriculum for Grade 11 and Grade 12

3) CHED – For the adjustment curriculum for colleges. The first and second year college level will now fall under K+12.

The 3 agencies should not overlap each others functions, scope of learning, certification and diplomas. K+12 or K to 12 means (kindergarten + 12 years). DepEd – Department of Education, TESDA – Technical Education and Skill Development Authority , CHED – Commission on Higher Education. Please see the charts below:

This chart shows the curriculum covered if you graduate each level

The progression of education and the government education agencies working together in their diploma and certification.

The K to 12 chart shows the mandatory age requirement and duration from kindergarten to Grade 12.

Since I am involved in the Arts and Animation areas of education, I would only focus on these areas. All other details of K to 12 curriculum and core subjects are downloadable at the DepEd website.

Teachers for K to 12 and Subject Track Specialization

Adding two years for high school requires additional teachers to teach the Grade 11 and Grade 12 programs. The tracks to choose from are: Academics, sports, arts & design and technical vocational livelihood. Each of these track needs a specialized teacher. Many high school teachers are not certified to teach these additional subjects. So the school either upgrades the skills of their teachers or they should hire instructors who could handle these tracks. A teacher should have a National Certificate (NC) given by TESDA to teach skill based or Techvoc tracks. Having the National TVET Trainers Certificate (NTTC) from TESDA is a plus. See Animation Council of the Philippines and TESDA article in this blog to understand the NC and NTTC better.

Under Arts, Design & Techvoc Track the Following are Covered:

a) Arts & design – covers traditional arts & principles, graphics & design.

b) Technical Vocational – under ICT : Technical drafting NC II, Illustration NC II and Animation NC II.

Students will have to distinguish and choose which track to go into for the last two years that will fit their skills. The schools whether public or private should have expanded their facilities to be able to offer the additional 2 years. If they have no additional facilities, the school should have partner institutions or vocational schools that can accommodate the tracks chosen by their students.

Getting a National Certificate (NC)

If the teachers already have the skills to teach any of the arts, design, animation, illustration and technical drafting subjects, its time to get the NC of the track they want to specialize to teach. They have to reserve and call an accredited assessment center to be scheduled for a one day assessment exam. Details of the procedure – just go to the article Animation Council of the Philippines and TESDA in this blog.

Partner Schools and Vocational Schools Accreditation

For public, private or vocational schools who wants to partner with schools offering K to 12 programs and has the facilities and the instructor credentials to teach the tracks; they have to register at DepEd to be an accredited institution. Procedures and documentations to submit are at the DepEd website. Deadline is set on August 15, 2015, unless the DepEd announces an extension. There is also a partial list of schools and vocational centers that were already accredited by DepED in the website. More schools and Techvoc centers are lined up and still being processed by the DepEd at the moment.

Is the Philippines Ready for K to 12 by 2016?

There are a lot of news, talks and rallies about the readiness of the country to adopt the K to 12 plan. Some say the DepEd is not ready for a nationwide change for the educational system because the DepED lacks the budget, teachers and facilities. Others say, more students will not be able to finish high school due to poverty and that we need to improve the quality of education rather than add two more years of basic education. It will certainly take time to learn and adapt to the new educational system, but our country needs it as we are the only country with 10 years of basic education. Since its 2010 announcement, the DepEd has been holding continuous seminars, workshops, massive trainings for teachers, distributing learning kits nationwide.

Since 2011, there is also a Schematic Implementation Plan of K to 12 that is being followed by DepEd. The plan will run until 2024. The plan has 4 phases and covers certain areas of the K to 12 program.

PHASE 1 – Laying the Foundations (2011 – 2013)

– Universal Kindergarten

– Development of the K12 programs

PHASE 2 – Modelling and Migration (2013 – 2016)

– Enactment of Basic Education Law

– Phased Implementation of the New Curriculum (Grades 1-4, 7-10)

PHASE 3 – Complete Migration (2016 – 2020)

– Grades 11 & 12 (HS years 5&6) Implementation

– Complete Migration to K to 12 Curriculum

PHASE 4 – Completion of Reform (2020 – 2024)

– Complete Implementation of K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum

If you want to more facts about K to 12, just see Busted 12 Myths about K to 12 at Tumblr.

By Grace A. Dimaranan, an industry expert consultant for TESDA, CHED and DepEd courses, TR developer, veteran animator and designer, Managing Director of Top Peg Animation & Creative Studio Inc. and School Director at Top Peg Institute of Animation & Design (www.toppeganimation.com) For assessment schedules under TESDA arts/animation design courses, please call 403-2419 or 871-1590 and email: egsarthou@gmail.com