A still from ‘3D Space Safari’ | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In a special screening of 3D movies 3D Space Safari, high school kids from SBOA School, Kochi, jumped as the meteorite ‘showered’ bright pieces at us and approached Chandrayaan 3 as it ‘flew’ overhead… out of its seat.
It’s not just about special effects, this film is informative and captivating even for people with a passing interest in planets, the solar system and the Milky Way. Particularly interesting is how the film gives perspective on the size of the planet that would appear from earth if it were on the lunar surface. 3D Space Safari is well researched and well made.
The man behind it is Kochi-based animator and VFX artist AK Saiber. This is the result of 10 strange years of teaching 3D technology, “About 10 years ago the resources for learning were not easily accessible. I had to download PDF books from the Net. Even the hardware was not available. I rigged the camera and experimented with the technology before I figured out how to make a 3D film. I practiced and ‘developed’ the technology that would work for me. Since I taught myself, it took a long time.”
A scene from the movie | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
He wrote the script and directed the film after talking to experts, reading and researching. “Astronomy is an ever-evolving subject. You have to keep track of it every day. Besides the numbers – the distance, the gravity, the number of moons – they have to be constantly checked. For example, in May 2023, the number of Saturn’s moons increased when astronomers discovered 62 new moons orbiting it the planets make a total of 146. So it is not true when it comes to this kind of subject, it will not be done.
Saiber refers to the websites of NASA, National Geographic, and the European Space Agency (ESA) for the most recent and accurate information. The narrative is told through the eyes of three children watching a film about space, taking the audience and the actors on a journey of space exploration, the Milky Way and everything in it.
From direction to stereography, visual effects, 3D composition and color grading, Saiber does it all. He got help from his son, Emil, for the 3D visual effects. After working on it for a year and a half, he presented the film in a theater to try and make corrections. Earlier he had made short videos based on astronomy with special effects. When he showed it to Joby George, who would become the producer of this film, Joby suggested that he make it in 2D format. “I insisted on making it in 3D format and that’s how this project is.”
AK Saiber | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The film was first screened in January 2024 at the Global Science festival in Thiruvananthapuram. “The response was amazing, the first show at the Aries Plex theater was 60 percent, but the next show was full. In fact, some additional shows were added. 3D Space Safari it’s playing in a movie theater in town for school kids.
Genesis of 3D Space Safari lies in his interest in physics, his appetite was vetted when he was in high school for the first time Bhouthika KouthukamMalayalam translation of Russian science writer Yakov Perelman Physics for Entertainment. He consumed those two volumes and suddenly everything he had studied up to Class X made sense.
Then in 1986, the year of Hailey’s Comet passed, at the age of 18 she got a ‘star map’ in a foreign publication, which she bought. He is a member of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad (KSSP). “I have been curious about astronomy, when I put my hands on a star map, I was more curious about space. I would sit on the terrace of my house and look at the sky, trying to find stars, planets and constellations.
Saiber has years of experience as an animator and VFX artist, starting his career as an animator working with Thiruvananthapuram-based Toonz Animation. In addition, he animates and directs Bobanum Molium, Dear Bapuji (script and animation), Konkani animated film Sree Venkateshayanam in addition to VFX for films such as Javanese from Vellimala and Gangster. He has also worked on animated content for children.
Although the film received positive feedback, distribution did not take place. “Absolutely, because there is no star value and this film is based on information/knowledge,” said Saiber.
Published – 28 November 2024 15:35 IST
