INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Durban cartoonist and animator Nanda Sooben will have a prominent role in the production of a major animation series that is likely to be flighted later this year.
Soobben will collaborate with Durban-born recording artist Liyah London who is the creator and executive producer of the “fun and educational” animation production aimed at children.
London, who is US-based from an early age, has performed and interacted with A-listed artists like Usher, LL Cool Jay, 50 Cent, Mims, and previously toured South Africa with rapper Pitbull.
While Sobben will handle all the visual aspects of the production, London is nearly completed with the script writing and has overseen the dialoging, music and the voice overs.
“I’m super excited about this production that children will love because it will be different and unique to what is already out there. Unfortunately, I cannot divulge some finer details at this stage.”
London was able to reveal that the setting for the animation was “in the heart of New York”.
“New York is a melting pot with diverse personalities and some of the central themes of the animation will be teamwork, friendship, kindness and love.”
She said all the music for the production were original creations.
London said the animation series was family orientated, will have longevity, and there was a possibility of it being adapted for the movies because it will have worldwide appeal.
“It is an honour to work with Nanda Soobben who has won so many awards for his work.
“My dad knew Nanda. When I came up with the animation concept, dad suggested that I contact him.
“When we spoke about my idea over the phone in September (last year), the ideas just flowed. Things have happened quickly and easily since then,” said London.
With preparation for the series still in its infancy, Soobben has already begun painting backgrounds for the series and expects the artwork for the production to begin in earnest, together with his students from his Centre of Fine Arts Animation and Design (CFAD) school, in February.
“I am very grateful to be commissioned for this work, and it is also a big moment for South African animation,” said Soobben, who has also painted major murals around the world.
Soobben and some CFAAD students landed multiple international awards for their production contributions in the Nelson Mandela’s African Folktales animated mini-series, which was launched locally in July last year.
It was a compilation of folktales told to Mandela during his boyhood days by his mother and elders in the Qunu village, which made an impression on his life.
About this latest work, Sobben said two guinea pigs were the lead characters, and together with other animals, they took the Mickey out of people and politicians they observed.
He said Central Park featured prominently in the production.
“It is a jungle in the middle of the most urban area in New York. That is relevant because it depicted how society tended to be mum about the doings of powerful politicians, yet the animals were disapproving.”
He is also hopeful that his license to operate CFAD with the Department of Higher Education will be renewed, after a court battle with the government department that has spanned five years.
Soobben said his challenges with the department stemmed from his outspoken political view, but believes his school will be running again in 2025.
DAILY NEWS