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Hollywood Film Producers Teach Animation In Luang Prabang
Lao News Agency From December 7 to 12, 2018, acclaimed American filmmakers were leading an animation workshop in Luang Prabang for artists and screenwriters from eight Southeast Asian countries. With support from the U.S. Embassy in Vientiane and U.S. Mission to ASEAN, this workshop is produced in collaboration with the renowned American Film Showcase (AFS), a film exchange programme funded by the United States. Led by Academy-Award winning animation producer Aron Warner (Shrek; Shrek 2) and visual development artist Arthur Fong (The Croods; Kung Fu Panda 3), this workshop engaged participants through intensive, hands-on sessions to develop storytelling techniques through areas such as structure and art design. Through this opportunity, both Warner and Fong hoped to support Southeast Asia’s growing animation industry and help create a network of animators throughout the region. “There is tremendous growth in animation from Southeast Asia right now, with some companies in the region doing world class work,” Aron Warner said. “We hope to find stories that resonate more in this part of the world, and that can be shared everywhere else.” Success for any artist also included a skill set in marketing their work, which was why Warner and Fong focused a portion of the workshop on how to successfully pitch a story to potential investors. “The region’s animation industries are growing rapidly,” said Rachel Gandin Mark, AFS Program Director. “Supporting local talent should lead to increased economic opportunity and new avenues for creative expression.” “My hope for this workshop is for these filmmakers to have confidence in their creations, and network with each other. The opportunities for great animation in Southeast Asia is rising,” said Fong. “I owe my career to the people who have built relationships with me, so it is a success for me to witness filmmakers from around the world connecting with one another.” AFS promotes people-to-people engagement, offers contemporary insights into American society, and fosters understanding across cultures. Working with U.S. Embassies, AFS sends American filmmakers and television experts on cultural diplomacy exchange programmes designed to spark dialogue and empower local communities to tell their own stories. These efforts bring world-class skills and knowledge to participants from some of the world’s greatest filmmakers. AFS is produced in partnership with the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Source: KPL
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New Species Discovered In Greater Mekong
(KPL) A bat that could be a member of a 1990s band *NSYNC, a gibbon with a Star Wars name and a toad straight from Middle Earth are among the 157 newly discovered species in the Greater Mekong region described by the world’s scientists in 2017. The report, New Species on the Block, describes three mammal, 23 fish, 14 amphibian, 26 reptile and 91 plant species discovered in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam by scientists who ventured into the region’s jungles, mountains, rivers and grasslands, often under punishing conditions. The 157 species discovered in 2017 means that an average of three new species a week are discovered in the region. Thirty-nine species were discovered in Myanmar, a good sign that the opening of the country to field research and conservation will yield many more species in the future. Vietnam had 58 new species, Thailand 35, Laos 24 and Cambodia eight. The new species include: ● A bat whose hair bears a likeness to Lance Bass’ iconic frosted tips of the band *NSYNC, was discovered in the sub-Himalayan habitat of the Myanmar’s Hkakabo Razi forest. ● A pancake shaped catfish that was found in fast flowing cold water in Myanmar’s remote Hponkan Razi Wildlife Sanctuary. ● A bamboo species from Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains with a unique bulb-shaped base that grows along roadsides, making it vulnerable to clearings. ● A tiny toad with sharp horns that was named after an elf due to its discovery in a foggy, mountainous, moss covered ‘elfin forest’ in Vietnam. Its habitat and eyelid horns have led some to call it the ‘Toad from Middle Earth. ● A newly discovered Thismia herb species from Laos that is already endangered due to its habitat being leased out for limestone mining. ● A leaf-toed gecko discovered in Thailand’s Khao Sam Roi Yot, or “Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks,” which has two distinctive ‘racing stripes’ from its snout to the tip of its tail. ● Myanmar’s Salween River Basin Mud Snake, which is threatened by development of its habitat and agricultural expansion. ● The Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon that is listed as one of the top 25 most endangered primates on the planet. “There are many more species out there waiting to be discovered and tragically, many more that will be lost before that happens,” says Stuart Chapman, WWF’s Asia-Pacific Regional Director for Conservation Impact. “It doesn’t have to be this way. Ensuring that large reserves are designated for wildlife, along with increased efforts to close illegal wildlife trade markets, will go a long way to conserving the extraordinary wildlife diversity in the Mekong region.” Dr. Evan Quah of Universiti Sains Malaysia believes that his team’s work in discovering a new snake species has shown that Myanmar’s Salween River basin is an area rich in unrecognized diversity.” He is “confident that with more thorough surveys, many more species new to science remain to be discovered here.” According to WWF’s most recent Living Planet Report, there has been a 60% decline in population size of the world’s wildlife in the last 40 years. In the Greater Mekong region, the decline is probably much worse given the large-scale destruction of wild habitats and the industrial-scale poaching in many parts of the region. In the markets of the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Myanmar, the Lao PDR, and China meet, endangered species are often openly sold or transported to neighbouring countries with large consumer demand for wildlife products such as China and Vietnam. There is good news though. In Myanmar, wildlife trade in the Yangon region is now illegal, while in Laos, a new Prime Minister’s Order on wildlife trade and enforcement has led to increased seizures of wildlife products. However, with a recent ban on ivory in China, there will likely be a shift in ivory market and more pressure on the wildlife of the Greater Mekong from tourists and traders. “There is blood, sweat and tears behind every new discovery,” said Chapman. “But it’s a race against time to announce a new discovery so steps can be taken to protect it before it’s too late.” KPL
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Ethnic Fashion Show at Parasol Blanc
Parasol Blanc, one of the finest Boutique Hotels in Luang Prabang, is hosting an amazing and unique weekly Ethnic Fashion Show. We have the largest collection of authentic traditional Ethnic dresses for male and female, originating from all corners of Laos This weekly event is scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evening at our White Lotus restaurant at Parasol Blanc. Surrounded by green lush gardens, the restaurant is nested directly at a lovely pond, part of UNESCO heritage. This wonderful location gives a unique and magical ambiance to the show. This unique and genuine show gives all guests and Lao culture lovers a good opportunity to learn and see traditional clothes specific for different ethnicities of Lao. This cultural and enjoyable performance is accompanied by an exquisite Lao set dinner, created by our highly skilled and passionate-about-food Executive Chef Rasika Weerasinghe. This unique dining experience is a must for anyone who wishes to enjoy a delicious meal whilst discovering the cultural diversity of Laos. The fee per person to attend the show plus dinner is set at USD 25 net (drinks are not included). Kindly book your table at least 2 days in advance by email: info@parasol-blanc.com. For any last minute bookings, please contact us by phone at (+856) 071 252 124.
