BEIJING, May 22 -- Characters in Chinese animation films need more personality, a well-known composer and film director said after visiting a Shenzhen animation base.

    ¡°Chinese animation figures have big flat surface on the faces, which is very easy to read for children, but no matter two-dimension or three-dimension cartoons, the characters in Chinese animation are not seen many levels and need more personality,¡± awarding-winning animation film director Randall Meyers told a seminar at the Children¡¯s Palace on Saturday.

    The Norwegian, 51, won a first prize in the Berlinnale Film Festival 2000 for his animation film ¡°The King Who Wanted More Than a Crown.¡±

    Meyers made his remarks after visiting the newly opened Shenzhen Yijing National Cartoon & Animation Industry Base, which is home to over 30 cartoon and animation companies.

    ¡°The biggest difference between the Chinese animation and the West is the attention to details in making animation,¡± said Meyers, without elaborating.

    During the speech titled ¡°Animation Beyond Borders,¡± Meyers urged Chinese filmmakers to attract government financing and cooperate with foreign animation filmmakers.

    ¡°European governments pay much attention to financing animation for children as a means to stimulate European culture,¡± he said.

    In an earlier interview with the Shenzhen Daily, Meyers also warned that Chinese producers of animation films should not follow their Japanese counterparts, who, according to him, have turned the industry into a pure moneymaking machine.

    ¡°Watching cartoon and animation films is an educational process for children. We cannot put corporate interest first,¡± he said, adding that the best cartoon and animation products do not always make the most money.

    Wang Mingtao, director of Shenzhen Youth Animation & Comics Association, said one of Meyers¡¯ new animation films would be screened in Shenzhen in August with a 30-person symphony orchestra and live dubbing.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily)