With reviews starting to pour in for Forgotten Island, it’s clear that the picture being painted is one of resounding success thanks to glowing critical scores. And one of the movie’s best features is its animation style. Colorful, kinetic, and bombastic in the best way possible, the film is a visually creative showcase from start to finish, including its use of 2D animation. Forgotten Island features a handful of scenes rendered in 2D, particularly during comical and memorable scenes involving Raww the weredog and Prince Merman. They make for standout moments in the film, and for those, the credit goes to Snipple Studios located right here in the Philippines.
Slight spoilers for Forgotten Island ahead.
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Get to Know Snipple Studios and Their Work on Forgotten Island
Founded in 2011, Snipple Animation Studios is an award-winning production studio based in Quezon City, with a development office in London. For over 15 years, the studio has built a reputation for its work and expertise in hand-drawn and cutout 2D animation, becoming a go-to production house to partner with for many of the world’s biggest entertainment companies.
From Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros., DC, Netflix, and DreamWorks, Snipple has been hired to work on various projects. In Manila alone, Snipple employs hundreds of artists, animators, producers, and support staff who collectively have worked on over 100 animated shows and movies over the years. Among their most notable titles are Klaus, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, Adventure Time, Phineas and Ferb, The Boys: Diabolical, The Proud Family, and Hit Monkey. With several shows and titles from major studios under their belt, chances are some of your favorite 2D animated projects were made with the help of Filipino hands.
In Forgotten Island’s case, DreamWorks turned to Snipple to animate the movie’s 2D scenes since the studio transitioned to fully 3D. Without going into full spoilers, those 2D scenes are most prevalent during the movie’s first half, particularly in a flashback when Raww and Prince Merman are recounting their adventures with Jo and Raissa. For the former, the animation is done in a Dragon Ball Z-inspired aesthetic (you’ll understand the reference once you see the movie), while the latter is based on Sailor Moon’s classic look.
They stand out for giving the movie a good dose of anime, but also are intentional as a reference to the 90s setting and vibe Forgotten Island is aiming for. The scenes are also some of the movie’s most memorable, highlighting not only how Raww and Prince Merman most likely embellished the truth but also how creative, unique, and funny it gets with the use of different animation styles. It adds to the movie’s already overflowing charm, and that is because of the work of Filipino animators from a local studio who helped bring the vision to life.
It’s no secret that Filipinos and the country in general have a substantial, if often underrated, impact on the global animation industry. Many of the top animation companies employ Filipino animators and artists while local creatives and studios are hired to serve as support staff. Forgotten Island has made it clear from the beginning about championing Filipinos, from its Philippines-set setting and story, Filipino voice actors, Filipino musicians and native instruments in its soundtrack, and even hiring Filipino talent to help make the movie.
Snipple’s involvement, one that extends beyond just being outsourced staff to complete work but a 2D animation team composed of Filipino collaborators actively making a movie centered on the Philippines, not only highlights Filipinos’ significance in animation, but also serves as another reminder that the local industry deserves more credit and support than it gets. The wealth of animation talent at Snipple and in the Philippines in general is no joke, and their work in Forgotten Island is one to watch for.
Forgotten Island will show in cinemas nationwide beginning September 23.
Featured Image and Photos: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Frequently Asked Questions
Snipple Animation Studios, a Quezon City-based studio founded in 2011 with a development office in London, animated Forgotten Island’s 2D scenes for DreamWorks after the studio transitioned to fully 3D animation.
Snipple’s notable credits include Klaus, Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, Adventure Time, Phineas and Ferb, The Boys: Diabolical, The Proud Family, and Hit Monkey, working with clients like Disney, Marvel, Warner Bros., DC, Netflix, and DreamWorks.
The 2D scenes appear mainly in the film’s first half, during a flashback where Raww the weredog and Prince Merman recount their adventures, rendered in Dragon Ball Z- and Sailor Moon-inspired styles.
The distinct 2D styles add anime flair while nodding to the film’s 1990s setting, and highlight how Raww and Prince Merman may be embellishing their story within the film’s narrative.
Forgotten Island releases in cinemas nationwide beginning September 23, following strong early reviews that highlight its animation, including Snipple’s contributed 2D sequences.
