2024 Co-work 

The 15th International Collaboration of Animation (Co-work) was held as a blend of online and on-site events. Participants from the Communication University of China (CUC), Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts), and Tokyo University of the Arts (GEIDAI) met online on June 5 and June 19. CUC hosted the on-site workshop from July 3 to 16 in Beijing.

The theme for Co-work 2024 is “Continuing Traditions. In a world rapidly embracing change, how do we hold on to our roots? “Continuing Traditions” invites students to explore and redefine the rituals and practices passed down through generations within their cultures. This theme challenges participants to think about traditions in the context of continuity and change, permanence and evolution, and preservation and innovation

Mixed teams from K-Arts, CUC, and GEIDAI met online and created their storyboards before the on-site workshop. Six teams completed six animation pieces, including original soundtracks composed by undergraduate students of the School of Music and Recording Arts, CUC.

Team A

Team members : GUO Jingyi, HSU Chihchen, YI Zihan, YU Jihye
Animation support : WANG Zhengping, JIANG Xuemeng, ZHANG Zhengyang
Music/Sound support : YIN Yutong
Technique : Digital Drawing, Digital cut-out, Stop-motion,Material collage
Running time : 1’30”

Concept

Respect, Sharing, Family, Food

Story

A Chinese girl invited her two foreign friends to a weekly family snack party and learned a story of respect and sharing.

Team B

Team members : JANG Donglin,HE Yuxiao,LIANG Liwei,TOCHIGI Eri
Animation support : QIU Luchao,LU Canxin,WANG Yiting
Music/Sound support : ZHANG Yuze
Technique : 2D animation
Running time: 1’08”

Concept

China, Japan and South Korea all have their own unique and beautiful cultures. We hope that by showing the cultures of these three countries, we can convey the mood of friendship. Though different from each other, China, Japan and South Korea share similar wonderful traditions and cultures. The theme of the co-worker is “Continuing the tradition”.

Story

The animals representing the three countries, pandas, tigers and cats, happily and amicably display their wonderful cultures together.

Team C

Team members: HWANG Sungha, PARK Jieun, DU Jia, LI Siyuan
Animation Support: YU Tiannan, PAN Yihong, CHEN Yutong
Music/Sound Support: ZHANG Luoming
Technique: Digital Drawing
Running Time: 1’18’’

Concept

Continuing traditions about fortune across three countries

Story

Three mythical/cultural creatures from three countries show their separate ways of collecting fortune. In the end, they all gather together in a cyberpunk-style store, representing that these beliefs about fortune still exist in the future.

Team D

Team members :  GU Xiaowen, WOO Minji, ZHANG Jintong
Animation support : CHEN Xinzhu, FENG Zihang, ZHANG Yifan
Music/Sound support : FU Zhao
Technique: Digital Drawing, Digital cut-out, Stop-motion
Running time : 1’42”

Concept

Each of the three East Asian countries has its own traditional foods, but there are also many similarities. We wanted to show these differences and then bring them together around the movement of the “wrap”.

Story

A bear, panda, and tanuki are having a picnic. They introduce each other to the traditional food they have brought with them.

Team E

Team members : FUJIWARA Misaki, WANG Xiaofei, KIM Jaehee, SUN Lian
Animation support : YANG Yating, CHEN Xinyang, AN Jiaqi
Music/Sound support : LU Yiwen
Technique: Digital Drawing
Running time : 1’28”

Concept

Interpretation of the similarities and differences between Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures from the perspective of New Year’s cuisine.

Story

Each country’s New year’s food, recipes that continue to be handed down, and the love  in the food.

Team F

Team members : WANG Jinyao (yoyo), ZHANG Mengyuan (mian), ZHAO Xuyuan (marry), KIM Heewon (BB)
Animation support : CAO Feiyue (Kelly), LIU Yangboai, LIU Ruoyi
Music/Sound support : ZENG Zixuan
Technique: Digital Drawing
Running time : 1’25”

Concept

Commonalities and points of unity between the three countries

Story

Chopsticks, a common tableware among China, Japan and Korea, are now a medium for learning about each other’s cultures.