ICON Manila 2014

I grew up watching cartoons in my younger years. Whether in print like comics or visuals like in the boom tube, cartoons is the best medium to bring life to stories that the live-action genre can't do. During the 90's, Filipino comic book artists and animators made it big to use their talents abroad.

Mr. Armand Serrano and Pastor Sam Tanner talks about ICON Manila

Although comic books are a big thing here in the country, local animation studios don't get regular projects here but most are outsourced for movie projects in Hollywood. Filipino animator Armand Serrano is one example. He was involved in a couple cartoon series I watched in the 90's like Biker Mice From Mars and X-Men The Animated Series. He was also responsible for Sony Animation's Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and its sequel and the upcoming Disney movie, Big Hero 6.

Mr Serrano and Pastor Tanner

Mr. Serrano is now based in U.S.and he is bringing Icon For Missions to Manila. Along with Pastor Sam Tanner, Icon's executive director; Icon is also an advocacy to promote new talents in the animation industry. Each year, there are new animations released internationally and there are people who are fans of these animated works became interested in doing the work themselves but find it hard to get the proper exposure of their works. 

Mr Serrano said in attending the seminars in Icon Manila, they are not only able to hear the big names in the U.S. animation industry but will know how to market their skills. Mr. Serrano's advice to future animators: Just be professional. In addition Mr. Serrano, there are other animators from U.S. who are also going to give talks for Icon Manila.

I admit I was also starstruck upon meeting Mr. Serrano. I told him that I watched X-Men and Biker Mice and I recently made a review of Cloudy 2. He also gave me permission to use one of his works, The Knights Templar on horseback without asking since I told him my online name is Mark Templar.

The blogger/fan and the animator

ICON Manila 2014 will be on July 3 at the SMX Convention Center. SM Mall Of Asia, Pasay City. For inquiries about Icon Manila and the slot availability of the speakers, go to http://www.iconmanila.com/ . For more updates about geek interests, movie reviews, and more; follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.