February 2011 Issue.pdf

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Executive Editor / Writer / Layout : John Ikuma
Editor : Melissa Piekaar
Editor / On site Interpretor: Keita Funamoto
Translator / Assistant Editor: Ai Ikuma
On site Interpretor: Atsuko Miyake
On site Interpretor: Jenya
Japan is steeped with tradition and wonder that goes back in time for hundreds of years. Its culture is rich with art and
beauty. There is something to be said as well about the craftsmanship of their work, a level that is very rarely seen in other
places around the globe. Though stop motion is roughly 100 years old, the Japanese have been mastering the art of puppet
animation for a good chunk of that time and it was heavily influenced by the Czech Masters. Rank & Bass ventured to
Japan to work on their Christmas Specials and their Feature Film “Mad Monster Party”. In fact many of their puppets still
reside in Tokyo. Kawamoto breathed life into master works of animation that have influenced the world of animation. The
art is growing rapidly in Japan and influencing others around the world.
What’s truly amazing is the openness to explore new techniques and the respect that professional animators in Japan give
each other. If you are a stop motion animator in Japan, chances are you will meet others like yourself pretty fast. I wasn’t
sure initially what I’d find there, but after a few emails I was amazed at how many studios and productions were operating
at the time of my visit. I do regret not being able to go to every studio and see everyone on my list. But the good news is I
will be back in Japan in the future to explore those places that I left behind.
I would definitely like to thank everyone involved with this issue starting with Keita Funamoto who was my main con-
nection in Japan and has become my newest Best Friend. Keita pretty much acted as my eyes, ears, and mouth the whole
time during my visit. So I owe him a lot of gratitude. Also, Atsuko Miyake was a major help as well with serving as point
person for arranging interviews with Magari. Both her and Keita really made this issue possible and were amazing tour
guides. To add to the list I’d like to thank Tomoko Kitazaki who arranged the interview with Goda and Minegishi at dwarf
Inc. And finally I would like to thank Ryo Yoshida who’s beautiful artwork graces the cover of this issue. Truly everyone
involved with making this issue possible has the highest level of my praise and I thank you all.
That being said I would like to dedicate this issue to Kihachiro Kawamoto who I was scheduled to meet, but fell ill so our
meeting was canceled and he passed away a month later. His influence on the world we work in is massive and knowing
that we will always have his films to inspire us is truly one of the greatest gifts someone can leave behind for all to share. I
hope you all enjoy this issue.
Keep Animating
-John Ikuma
Executive Editor
Stop Motion Magazine
Letter from the Editor
pg 6 - Book Review
Contents:
pg 7 - Magari Interview
pg 15 - dwarf Inc.
pg 17 - Goda Interview
pg 22 - Minegishi Interview
pg 28 - Ryo Yoshida Interview
pg 36 - Keita Funamoto Interview

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