Category: Sub tab 2.3 FMP（Nigel）

Without a doubt, Jibaro, episode nine in the third season of Netflix’s darling anthology Love, Death, and Robots, is one of the most astonishing pieces of animation in recent memory. Jibaro’s director, Alberto Mielgo, is a modern animation trailblazer, who continuously pushes the boundaries of conventional cartoons from the big studios to allow for more experimental artistic expression and innovative techniques. Incredibly stylized, Jibaro resembles rotoscoping works with the flowing movement of its characters and collages with its vivid and veracious panorama; they are, however, keyframe animation, painstakingly crafted after weeks of studying video references. Jibaro is a magnificent mix of 3D models on 2D backgrounds.

Interestingly, Alberto Mielgo started learning the language of aesthetics and colors through the digital medium, before trying physical drawing and oil painting. A fan of comic books, he explored storytelling devices where the visual carries the story instead of the words. This visionary (or madman) opted to continuously find ways to challenge himself as an artist with difficult techniques, demanding shots, and the use of technology. As he said in his interview with ScreenRant: “I love technology, and I like to push the boundaries, especially visually — not for the sake of just pushing the boundaries, but to serve the story. So I felt that that was the right way to do it. It was suffering, but we ended up doing it, which is cool.”

• On graduation which area or environment of production do you wish to focus upon and why?

When I graduate, I hope to focus on character animation. I think the most important thing in an animation is the story content, who determines the ceiling of the film, depending on whether it can evoke empathy. However, the character’s movement/speech/expression can determine the lower limit of the film, and even smooth movement/expression can make a better viewing experience for the audience.

• What skills will you need to attain the standards required for vocational practice?

I need to learn a lot about the basics of 3D animation, especially the group work aspect, which I am new to and still have very little experience with. Also I need to learn more about character animation.

• How will you showcase your FMP practice for the final shows?

I wanted to show FMP in the form of a film that takes place among a gang of killers, where the team members kill each other because of unequal distribution of money. I wanted to reflect more of the action of the characters.

• Is it important to directly connect the thesis research to your practical work?

I think it is important that by studying character animation, I can better understand the actions or expressions that the characters should make to fit the scenes in various episodes of the animation.

• Do you have an area of research you wish to conduct that is unrelated to practical element?

I have a great interest in Chinese history and culture. There are many interesting cultural elements in China, such as opera, origami, shadow puppets, etc.