HKMU Graduate Hilary Tang Discusses Artistry and Perseverance in Award-Winning Film

According to the South China Morning Post, Hilary Tang, an alumna of the Hong Kong University of the Arts (HKMU), has shared insights into the artistry, perseverance, and human element behind the acclaimed Hong Kong film, Another World. Tang's initial interest in illustration led her to HKMU, where she completed an internship at the company that would eventually produce Another World. Prior to her graduation, she volunteered for the project and subsequently became a key animator.

In the production process, which divides tasks between background and animation teams after storyboarding is complete, key animators are responsible for the primary actions of the characters. Tang noted that the creation of Another World involved extensive hours, often extending into the night. She remarked that an animation piece she might spend weeks or even a month drawing often appears as only a brief moment on screen.

Throughout the seven-year development period, Tang acknowledged experiencing moments of feeling lost but found fulfillment through persistence. She stated that the work possesses a 'craftsman's spirit,' noting that she meticulously reviews her drawings frame by frame before submission, a process unseen by the audience.

Creating animation requires not only creativity but also significant mental, physical, and emotional resilience. Tang mentioned that the daily drawing took a toll on her wrists, necessitating the use of eye drops, painkilling patches, and a wrist brace, alongside proper self-care. She also described a mental strain, feeling pressure to perform well after observing the refined work of her colleagues.

Teamwork helped alleviate this pressure. The team would exchange ideas after hours to improve efficiency and solve problems, and mealtimes sometimes served as a venue for sharing frustrations, which deepened her appreciation for collaboration.

To capture the frantic, off-balance sensation of Goran fleeing after her family is separated in Another World, Hilary filmed herself running on a treadmill until she fell. For a scene depicting a soul passing through a waterfall en route to rebirth, she spent a month swimming to study the body's movement within water.

Tang expressed pleasure in visiting her alma mater to share her experiences and benefit from student inquiries, expressing hope for the continued growth of Hong Kong animation. She advised aspiring artists not to give up easily, noting that while audiences influence the scope of an animation, it is not the sole determinant. She encouraged individuals to follow their hearts and continue pushing forward as they accumulate experience and improve at their craft.