Sunday, April 20, 2008

Kuris Talk # 3: Marx Ydroy Silva

. Kadulom: the vicious dark creature with ultimate metomorphic power but posseses a hero's heart.
Kadulom image # 3: Marx doesn't care what other people say as long as he live his passion.


Kadumom image #2: Marx is an alien invading young Ilonggo's minds with his wild and scary animation.


Kadulom image # 1: Marx is a big time dreamer, idealistic and creative.







Marx Ydroy Silva
The Avatar animates life
By Ronelo Ladiao

Whenever we have a break during those times when we were in the middle of pressure a few months ago, we never failed to sit down for while and turn on my laptop to watch the adventures of The Avatar, a smash hit animated series of Nickolodeons. In one corner of that small studio owned by another group of artists where we stayed to finish our animated project The BEQUEST, the scorching heat of the day and the hardship that were going through was forgotten for while to enjoy the magnificent animated series that has become our inspiration. An inspiration we discovered through Marx, a certified Avatar fanatic.
Marx Ydroy Silva, a 21-year-old amateur animator has become a significant player to the rise of Kuris Animation Unlimited. The first born son of Fernando de Silva and Lynor Jaleco-Silva from La Paz, Iloilo City can be seen doodling and scribbling phenomenal artworks with his pencil at the very young age of five. He has one younger brother, John Rook de Silva whom he shared his great ideas about arts. His artistic gift eventually made him special among any other kids in school during his elementary years at Assumption Socio Educational Center. Here and there, Marx joined various school-based poster-making contests or any art-related competitions during his high school years at St. Paul’s School. Eventually, he never failed to grab some awards and earned a reputation as a dynamic young artist in the city. From portraiture, visual arts, cartooning and other forms of art, Marx has shown his versatility. In college, he choose a different path by taking up Nursing at Central Philippine University until he took a break in his third year to concentrate in his real passion. When he heard about the new course offered by Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA) about 2D animation last year, he didn’t have second thoughts of grabbing the opportunity to apply. He easily passed the admission test that mostly involved freehand drawings for several hours. A few weeks later, he was already part of the first batch of Ilonggo animation trainees at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST), the training school that partnered with TESDA.
After almost six months of hectic training in 2D animation, the first batch of 40 Ilonggo animators received their certificate of completion at ED Tech Center of WVCST. Marx first became a member of Apex Animators, the day class group of graduates. When the second batch started their training soon after their graduation, he became close to them and started a bonding that changed the face of animation in Ilonggo history. He was closely involved in the making of the second batch’s group project “The Adventures of TASI” who later became WVCST’s official school mascot. Last November, he took part in launching the first Ilonggo animator’s exhibit entitled “Kinarton” at Museo Iloilo that lasted for more than a month. During that time, he was still part of Ilongguhit Animators, the new name of Apex animators when they decided to regroup. But when the second batch of animation trainees finally decided to embrace a name for their group which is “Kuris” (an Ilonggo term that means scribbled line) after their graduation last October 19, Marx became heavily involved with them in their first commercial project which is an animated film dedicated in retelling the origin of Dinagyang Festival. Amid the hardship and meager budget out of their pockets, Marx and Kuris animators gave their best shot to prove that Ilonggo artists can create a cultural milestone. In fact, he was one of the innovative lead animators and creative concept director of the project which was later entitled “The BEQUEST: Origin of Dinagyang”. The opportunity of the project provided a venue for him to show his true talent by creating Niňo, the main character of the story together with the two other lead animators from Kuris, Bryan Jandonero and Brynh de los Reyes. Their collaboration became an impressive tandem of raw talent and innovation for the project. On January 25, 2008, days before the highlight of Dinagyang Festival, the first Ilonggo animated short film was shown at SM Cinema 7. Now he realized that he shared the same dream of uplifting our distinct Ilonggo culture as a member of Kuris animators. At present, he is taking up Advertising course at Central Philippine University while he keeps working for the several upcoming projects of the group. Undoubtedly, he finally embraced his fate as one of the best and promising member s of Kuris Animation Unlimited. It is a fate he cannot deny for his passion and dreams is emotionally attached to the group.


Like Nickolodeon’s legendary Avatar, Marx reveals his creative side, sentimental feelings and raw ideas about being a versatile amateur animator who believes in self-worth in this casual chat…

Ronelo Ladiao (RL): First, why don’t you describe yourself in three words?
Marx Ydroy Silva (MS): I’m simple, observant and creative.
RL: Tell us about the type of films and music that you are fond of?
MS: Personally, my favorite films include 300, Jumper, the upcoming Ironman movie, Meet the Robinsons and many other classic Walt Disney animated movies. The types of music that I love include jazz, instrumental, orchestra and lots of rock music especially songs done by Aerosmith and Jack Black of Tenacious D.
RL: I heard you once dreamt of becoming a comicbook artist, can you tell us who’s your favorite comicbook illustrators?
MS: I truly admire Filipino illustrators who made a name internationally especially in Marvel and DC comics such as Whilce Portacio, Jerry Alanguilan and Carlo Pagulayan. I hope one day I can also be given a chance to work with them and showcase my talents in comicbook industry.
RL: As an artist, where do you get your inspiration to draw?
MS: Kon masubo ko eh or kis-a sa mga masubo nga inagyan ko (when I’m sad or sometimes from sad memories that I’ve been through). The more I get lonely, the more I get inspired to draw and use these feelings to push my artistic ability further. You see, I gain a sense of freedom from all the worries and heartaches in drawing.
RL: Just curios, what are those lonely memories you were referring to?
MS: Sometimes my family problems… but I as I get older I learn to be contented and accept certain things about reality.
RL: Let’s talk about your moods, what makes you upset and distracted?
MS: When I encounter dishonest, insincere and fake friends. Sometimes, I distance myself from people when I find out that they just show up when they need something from me.
RL: Okay, tell us about your ideal girl?
MS: Well, she should ROCK (laughs). I mean, she must have a strong attitude for independence, good sense of humor and mystery.
RL: You created an original animated character called “Kadulom”, what’s the story behind him?
MS: “Kadulom” is actually a villain but when the story made a sudden twist, he became a hero. I like the concept of villains turning into good guys in the end, there’s challenge and excitement. Anyway, Kadulom is an ordinary teacher who struggles with his other dark, hidden second personality. He spreads terror by turning into a metamorphic vicious creature with sharp claws and superhuman capabilities during the night. But his will to change and fight the darkness inside him turned Kadulom into a protector of innocents and enemy of evil-doers.
RL: Let me ask you a hypothetical question-If you were given a chance to create and produce an animated film, what would it be?
MS: Siyempre gusto ko gid maghimo sang pelikula ka Avatar! (of course, I really want to make Avatar, the movie). I want to add more excitement to the storyline, detailed action and fighting scenes in my own perspective. It would also be a great chance to show my talent as a lead animator with innovative ideas in a studio equipped with standard animation facilities.
RL: I believe you were inspired by The Avatar in creating Niňo of the BEQUEST, in what aspect they are similar based in your point f view?
MS: When we were in the early stage of designing the characters of The BEQUEST, we had a short brainstorming by watching various animated feature films and TV series, one of those is The Avatar. We were so impressed with the way it is created especially in terms of the technicalities and structure of the character. Ang, the Avatar is a fun-loving boy destined with great power, a chosen savior while Niňo for his part is a street child who is curios about the history of Dinagyang. Their innocence and curiosity can be seen in their eyes so we thought that it would be great if Niňo would be animated similar to Ang, even their body structures are quite alike. Later, we finalized the model sheet of Niňo and discus how he would fit in the story of the project.
RL: Talking about your experience in making The BEQUEST, what is your unforgettable moment in making the project?
MS: Kadamo-damo gid eh! (a lot of it). Almost everything in a period of two months, we made sacrifices and spend sleepless nights to finish it on time. Bisan kon kis-a wala na gani kaon-kaon kag nagapangutang na kami para indi lang mauntat ang project (even if sometimes we can’t eat and borrow money so that the project will not stop). But we have faith to each other, think about our passion and believe that we can finish what we started until our sacrifices was replaced with success and positive feedback from people when it was showed to the public for the first time at SM Cinema 7.
RL: Right now, what are the three most important things in your life?
MS: God, family and my passion!
RL: 10 years from now, how do you foresee Kuris as a group?
MS: Baskog man ta gihapon kag madamo sang animation nga projects ina kon magbinuligay kami tanan kag magpanumdum para sa success sang grupo (Still strong and lots of animation projects that is if we will help each other and think about the success of the group).
RL: It’s parting shot time, what’s your reaction for those who put down others thinking they are better than the rest?
MS: Bahala kamo da ya, basta ako himuon ko lang ang gusto ko (it’s up to you, I’ll be doing what I want). You see, you can’t fake real talent. All I need to do is to practice and have patience to improve my talent. I am even more willing to share my talent for those who wanted to learn.

For comments, email us at kurisanimators@yahoo.com

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

hi ur so cool. i wish to be an animator too. i luv drawing anime! i hope i can be like u..