It was a challenging project with a steep learning curve, but a group of eight Diploma in Digital Media Design students was unfazed.  They tackled their Final Year Project (FYP), called “Pulcinello”, with enthusiasm and gave it their best shot.

Recalled Team leader Gabriella Mesenas, “We spent countless late nights doing the various aspects of the project.  Every aspect – from storyboarding to film direction, from animation to special effects – was given our detailed attention.  But we were determined to do well, because we knew we had a great story idea and we wanted to turn this idea into a reality.”

“Pulcinello” is a five-minute production about a puppet who entertained crowds.  He fell in love with a beautiful puppet called Columbine and fantasised about sailing away with her.  His dreams came to an abrupt end when he realised that in reality, he was still merely a puppet, chained to his master’s hands.

The students’ hard work paid off.  “Pulcinello” won the “Best of Film” award at the Crowbar Awards 2009 on 28 August 2009.  “Best of Film” is awarded to the best short film in both the live-action film and animation categories.

Organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Singapore (4As), the Crowbar Awards is an annual platform for emerging young creative talents to showcase their most outstanding works. 

Besides the ‘Best of Film’ award, NYP won another three Golds, namely:

“Pulcinello” and “Story of I” also won Silver for “Film Craft: Cinematography” and “3D Animation” respectively.

Sheetha Lakshmanan, who was in charge of character animation, was overjoyed with receiving Gold for 3D Animation for “Pulcinello.”  She said, “Each of the puppets – Pulcinello and Columbine – had many strings attached to them and the animation depicted jerky moments of puppets controlled by their masters.  However, during the fantasy segment, the strings were gone.  For that, we made the puppets move differently, as if they were human beings.  I’m very grateful for my seniors and lecturers who patiently taught me how to create these effects.”

Interestingly, “Story of I” - the production about the adventures of a girl called RED - fell into the experimental genre.  Explained team member Syarah Mahmood who was in-charge of art direction, “We felt that the experimental genre suited our abstract theme of the search for identity.  For art direction, we gave the whole film a surreal feel, so that viewers watching would feel like it is part of a dream.”