Animated Star Wars series makes Asian debut on MediaCorp's Ch 5
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 December 2008 1857 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Science fiction fans can now look forward to a new Star Wars television series, "Star Wars: The Clone Wars", that was completely animated in Singapore at the Lucasfilm Animation's studio.

A team of about 80 animators brought George Lucas' Star Wars characters to life, picking up the story from the second episode of the Star Wars movie series, "Attack of the Clones".

Fans can once again follow the adventures of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker before he became the feared Darth Vader.

A big challenge for the Singapore animators is realising Mr Lucas' vision as he has a direct say in how the animation series should look.

Edward Zhou, lead animator, Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, said: "Because the show is catered so much to fans, there are a lot of things that as an animator we have to take into consideration. We're not doing our personal project anymore – it's a broader vision of the director and all the way up to George Lucas himself."

Timothy Jason Smith, associate producer, Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, said: "George is very involved with the show. He is incredibly happy and impressed with the work that's coming out from the Singapore team."

The animation team in Singapore is now working on the second series which will have at least 22 new episodes. Depending on the complexity of the scenes, it takes a few months to produce each episode.

"The Clone Wars" first aired in the United States about two months ago and Singapore will be the first Asian country to broadcast the animated series. It will be shown on MediaCorp's Channel 5 on Saturday, December 6.


- CNA/so