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Vong Yonghow

After the recent screening of Freedom Project, I managed to get Vong Yonghow’s attention and despite his busy schedule, he was able to accept an interview. Vong Yonghow is one of our very own Singaporean who’s in Japan now currently working on Freedom Project. For more information on Freedom Project and my impressions on it, do check it out here.

Thanks for taking your time off for this. Let’s start off by a nice introduction about yourself.

I’m Yonghow, a Singaporean CG artist working in the animation industry in Tokyo Japan. I’m now working on Otomo Katsuhiro’s Freedom Project. 
 
What made you interested in animation?

I started doodling at a young age and so had a big interest in animation and manga. Watching Akira and Miyazaki’s films as a kid also had a big impact on me.

Could you tell us more about your education over the years and how you landed in Japan?

I was under the art elective program when I was in Victoria school and I was very interested in the visual arts, and photography. I then went on the Temasek Polytechnic where I majored in animation, and after completing my NS I was awarded the NAC Takashimaya scholarship to study film in Japan, and have been here for almost 4 years since.

Yonghow graduated from Toho Gakuen Film School. You can check out what he has to say about it here.

What is your role involving Freedom Project? 

I’m one of the 2 digital lighting artists for Freedom, where we light the 3D CG characters to make them look like 2D traditional cell drawn anime.

His work desk. At least, it’s far way better in condition compared to mine. *sigh*

What are the motivating factors that drives you to work on Freedom Project?

Definitely Otomo Katsuhiro’s involvement had a big part to play in it. I’ve also always wanted to see what its like working in a animation company in Japan. 
 
What are some of the setbacks faced while working on Freedom Project?

Maybe I have been lucky not to face any big setbacks, but language and communication can sometimes be a challenge still. I can speak Japanese fairly well, but some of the technical terms for animation are very esoteric and so I had to learn them slowly over a period of time. 

Could you elaborate more on some of your experiences gained for having worked in the Freedom Project Committee for almost a year?

The level of commitment the Japanese put into the craft is just amazing ! Everyone works extremely hard for long hours to make sure they deliver the best possible product. It was really hard work but definitely a valuable experience for me. Its also really immersive working in the anime industry here, Madhouse is just across the road from our studio and sometime back we met Kon Satoshi when we went for dinner. I also saw Miyazaki once when I went out to take photographs. 

Who’s your favourite character in Freedom Project and why?

Kazuma is the favourite here in Japan but I think I like Bisu the most, he’s really a funny character without even trying ! Plus he’s a loyal friend. 

Pictures of Yonghow during the time he was working on his final year project in Japan.

What do you recommend local artists who are interested in animating to do if he/she wants to go to Japan to further his/her career or studies?

There are a few opportunities they can explore. First would be attachment programs, like the recent one by Polygon Pictures, a very reputable animation company in Tokyo. They can also try to apply for scholarship programs like the NAC Takashimaya scholarship and those by the MDA.

Anything you want to say to the readers out there?

Thanks you so much for supporting Freedom ! :] For those who want to come and work in the anime industry here, be warned its really long long hours ! 

That’s all ! Thanks for your time once again !

:]