Last Thursday, the TFT community was treated to a special preview screening of the highly anticipated animated feature film, Forgotten Island, directed by Oscar-nominee Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado. This event was made possible through a collaboration with DreamWorks Animation and the UCLA Animation Workshop. The event included a moderated Q&A with UCLA alumni who have had a part in making the feature animated film. Panelists included producer Mark Swift, Head of Effects Lawrence Lee, Digital Supervisor Youxi Woo, and, most notably, Jasmine Rodriguez, who was not only the Story/Edit Production Supervisor but also the voice of characters such as Agnes and Old Tita. The panel was moderated by UCLA animation alum Valerie Lettera-Spletzer, who both worked at DreamWorks Animation and taught as a lecturer at UCLA.
The animated movie follows a pair of rowdy best friends who fall into a rich mystical world filled with vibrant magical creatures and equally terrifying monsters based on Filipino mythology and folklore. As a Filipino student who spent a chunk of his childhood in the Philippines, it was astonishing to be able to see some of the tall tales of my Lola (grandmother) come to life in the mainstream! Forgotten Island doesn’t hold back in its depictions of Filipino culture and humor, even down to minute details such as the colloquial gesture of lip pointing. The visual style of the film is like a vibrant firework of color that comedically alternates between animation styles, adding a genre-bending quality to its charm.
But what I believe makes this film earn its 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes is its main theme centering on the power of friendship and the value of the memories we make with our loved ones. The opening ten minutes of this movie had me gushing tears (I’m a 21-year-old), and it masterfully maintains this cathartic emotional thread throughout the entirety of the wacky narrative.
Furthermore, the panel was extremely engaging to watch. Having the opportunity to learn both the creative and technical processes of working in the animation industry through the interactions of Valerie Lettera-Spletzer and the panelist was eye-opening. Getting to hear stories from the development process, such as Jasmine Rodriguez’s characters being born from the spur of a comedic moment with the directors and their confessions about how much labor a simple water effect can take, showcases the amount of love the Forgotten Island team has poured into every detail on screen. As a student, it is inspiring to be able to see that the current and future leaders of innovation and entertainment have walked the halls of Melnetiz!
So, if you haven’t yet seen Forgotten Island, I cannot encourage you more to go support Filipino stories, original animation, and most importantly, our fellow Bruin Alums!
Go TFT and Go Bruins!
