The Energon Pub

<a href="http://www.cnn.com" target="_blank">CNN</a> reports on their site that this week their programm <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/ASIA/talkasia/" target="_blank">Talk Asia</a> will <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/10/18/talkasia.nelsonshin/index.html" target="_blank">feature</a> the <a href="/people/index.php">producer</a> of the original <a href="/cartoons/index.php">Transformers cartoon</a> and <a href="/people/index.php">Director</a> of the 1986 Transformers movie, Nelson Shin. Check your local <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/ASIA/talkasia/" target="_blank">TV schedule</a> for when the show airs. The following has been taken directly from the article.

"<i>Dubbed the "Godfather of Animation" in South Korea, Nelson Shin is behind such iconic animated characters as the Simpsons, Pink Panther and Transformers. Shin shows Anjali Rao how his studio breathes life into cartoons, talking her through the animation process from basic pencil drawings to computer-generated movements. His work also extends to live action, including the famous Star Wars lightsaber.

Although he has enjoyed enormous success in the animation field, Shin never received any training. Born in North Korea, he left his hometown and moved South during the upheaval of the Korean War when he was 13 years old. Looking back, Shin relates to Rao how these early experiences have helped him develop a strong character and the ability to focus totally on his work.

Shin's AKOM studio now also creates many of its own original characters and recently released the animated film "Princess Chung." Hailed as a step towards greater unity on the Korean peninsula, the film saw a rare collaboration between North and South Korean animators and actors. Shin discusses the process of doing business in the North and his impressions of the capital Pyongyang</i>".

Big ups to Nelson Shin!

Very interesting read, I didn't know he was involved with the Star Wars lightsaber effect

Cyber-Kun wrote:Very interesting read, I didn't know he was involved with the Star Wars lightsaber effect

Involved?! He invented the effect! He was the Special FX director for New Hope and especially created it for the movie. A technique that was still used for the newer movies, despite all the computer advancements. A technique that was also used for the Energy bars and energon in the 1986 Transformers movie. His link with StarWars was the reason why there so many (inside) StarWars jokes in Transformers. Harold Edsel and Carrie Fishhook in Hoist Goes Hollywood, Arcee's head design or even the Rodimus Prime Matrix Movie poster, that is a hommage to the 1977 New Hope poster. Just to name three.

One very very very very very very talented bloke.