Manukau teens are expected to turn up in numbers to see ‘bro’Town’s’ Animation Director Ali Cowley at Mangere East and Tupu Libraries next week.
The workshops, part of Manukau Libraries Celebrate Pasefika celebrations, give Manukau youth a chance to see the popular artist in action.
Paulo Va’a the libraries’ Outreach Coordinator Community Cultures is excited about the workshops.
“In the past our celebrations have centred on traditional Pacific art and culture. This year, in an effort to attract a younger audience, we have included a number of events aimed at Manukau teens.
“The reaction around the library branches when the advertising material went up for Ali’s workshop has been amazing and we’re expecting big crowds.
“The theme this year is ‘journey from traditional to modern” and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate how far Pacific people have come artistically than with one of the creators of ‘bro’Town’, a national phenomenon”, says Mr Va’a.
Media are welcome to attend the workshops at Mangere East or Tupu Libraries.
A profile of Ali Cowley is attached.
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When and where: |
Wednesday, 3 March at 1pm
Mangere East Library
370 Massey Road, Mangere
or
Friday, 5 Friday at 1pm
Tupu Library
102R Dawson Rd, Otara 1pm, Mangere East Li |
Profile of Ali Cowley:
bro’Town’s Animation Director, Ali Cowley, initially trained with Freelance Animation School. He studied there for two years, then worked in the Freelance studio and shortly afterwards became one of the school’s tutors. Following this, Ali did a year long stint at Flux Animation, gaining experience on various animation projects. He then joined ‘Slightly Off Beat’ Productions to work on Warner Bros and Disney assignments. When ‘Slightly Off Beat’ changed hands, Ali remained at the studio which was to be re-named Anim8. Ali was responsible for instigating Anim8’s student programme in association with Auckland based South Seas Animation School.
Ali Cowley started working on first series of bro’Town as a Key Clean Up Artist and Animator. He was quickly promoted to Assistant Director on the second series, and received a credit for independently directing episode 2.1 ‘Zeelander’ from Series 2. Ali Cowley was appointed Animation Director on bro’Town Series 3 & has continued in this role on bro’Town Series four and five.
Highlights for Ali for 2009:
- In April 2009 Ali, along with several NZ Animation Studios and Artists. travelled to Los Angeles to attend an Animation Pitch event organised by NZTE as a chance to connect New Zealand’s creative industries to Hollywood studios
- An animation pitch to US networks, including Disney, Cartoon Network and National Geographic, Ali worked on pitching original content for the US market in association with Los Angeles-based Radar Cartoons. Click
here for more information.
- In May 2009 Ali next big project was to design 11 characters for Counties Manukau District Health Board. Based on an original concept by Luke Flemming, School Health Careers Programme Coordinator, the characters were commissioned as a way to connect to the youth through the popular culture of cartoon. Tee shirts of the characters were used to promote the "Health Could B 4 U' Campaign which were a great hit with the students and, also the staff at Middlemore hospital. A wall mural was also put up at the dairy down by the hospital brightening up a once neglected wall. Click here for more information.
- October 2009 Ali ran some workshops for 'The Gifted Kids Programme' based at Hillary Collegiate School in Otara.
It was a great chance to work with children interested in creating animations and seeing there storyboards, "I was very impressed with there level of understanding stories told through pictures".
ENDS