Alastair Macleod, the Head of Animation & Visual Effects at VFS, was in Korea earlier this month for PISAF 2008 (Puchon International Student Animation Festival) which had invited him to be one of the festival judges. He’s back, with an account of the trip and event – in his own words!

By Alastair Macleod
Head of Animation & Visual Effects

I was invited to attend PISAF in Korea to be on the panel that was judging the student work submitted. The event was held in Puchon (also spelled Bucheon), which is about an hour out of Seoul. VFS sponsored the event by offering a scholarship to the 3D Animation and Visual Effects program.

I watched over forty short films during my week there – all of them produced as part of a school program, from high schools, colleges and universities around the world.

There was some excellent work, most of which I had never seen before. VFS itself was represented by The Switch by Zack Mathew and Seeking You by Jean-Julien Pous, who also presented a workshop.

As part of the jury, I was very conscious of where the films were produced. It was interesting for me to hear the other judges’ wide-ranging opinions of the work, and there was some general consensus as well as some disagreement, which led to healthy discussion.

I consider myself to be fairly well-travelled in the world, but have never been to anywhere in Asia, let alone Korea, so I had no idea what to expect other than what I had seen on TV.

The food was amazing. I think I must have eaten one of everything there was to offer. The kimchi was tasty and was served both cooked and raw, the various fish, meats, noodles, soup you cook at the table… It was all there. I learned not to ask what I was eating, and I enjoyed it all. The soju was tasty too.

All in all, it was a brilliant trip and a very positive experience. I learned a lot about Korean culture and the wide selection of work currently being created in Asia and around the world.