Cartoon Production Booming in ShanghaiShanghai animated cartoons production has entered a flourishing period -- the city will be able to make 5,000 minutes of cartoon this year, compared with 300 minutes six years ago."The Magic Lotus Lantern" made by Shanghai Animated Film Studio was a huge hit last year and has been warmly welcomed by audience in Thailand, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong and Macao. Other cartoons, including "Gorilla Detective," "Princess White Snow and Prince Frog," and "Travel to the Moon," are also very popular among children. The achievements of the studio came from hard work and the studio's efforts to change its operation system and tap into the market. Six years ago, the studio experienced a hard time because of poor operating systems. Many talented people also left the studio. In 1995, the studio raised funds and shot a 100-part cartoon about a group of heroic children fighting evil. The cartoon was well received and praised by government leaders, boosting the morale of directors at the studio. A year later, the studio started to work with the Shanghai Television Station. The station invested 49 million yuan (about 590 US dollars) to support the studio make cartoons. Last year, the studio set up an animated film and TV group company. The company is making new cartoons, such as "I am Crazy About Songs," "White Pigeon Island," and "Little Monks." A movie-length cartoon, "The Magic Umbrella of Coco," will be shown in cinemas during the summer holiday. |
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