ANIME AT SAND

Described by Newtype magazine as “the highlight of the UK animation year”, the Swansea Animation Days (SAND) is a week-long series of presentations, lectures and screenings, covering every aspect of the animation world, from media to the military. Hosted by Swansea Metropolitan University, it’s an event designed to bring different parts of the animation world together, with a focus on helping get jobs in the industry. This year’s event includes appearances from DreamWorks Animation, Double Negative and, of course, Manga Entertainment, with evening screenings of Ghost in the Shell: Solid State Society and Origin: Spirits of the Past. Is it an academic conference, or a five-day convention…?

Running from Monday 24th to Friday 28th November, SAND is divided into several areas, depending on your preference. Wednesday focuses on interactivity, with speakers from SnailGame in China, EA Games and Sony Computer Entertainment. Thursday and Friday zooms in on animated movies, TV and special effects (oh yes, SFX is another form of animation!) by the staff of films including Hellboy II, The Dark Knight and The Mummy III: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Jonathan Clements, co-author of the Anime Encyclopedia, will also be at SAND, lecturing on “intellectual property and inspiration in the Japanese animation business.” We asked him what that actually meant, and he said “giant robots and big knockers, mainly.” How can you resist? www.smu.ac.uk/sand