Kids & Family
Households around the country watching copious amounts of children’s TV at present may have noticed a new song and video called ‘Magic in Me’.
Suzy Cato used the animated video last week, where she appears as presenter on the new educational channel designed for NZ in lockdown, Home Learning | Papa Kāinga TV. It aired on TV2 on April 17, with a credit to Southern Institute of Technology (SIT).
Award-winning children’s songwriter Kath Bee’s song “Magic in Me” is sung by 10-year-old Mika Elley with a rap written and performed by MC Luke Epapara aka Kurnel MC and produced by Ryan Beehre. SIT was tasked with the animation.
SIT Animation graduate and Arts and Animation tutor, Traci Meek, was a perfect fit for the song, which is her Research Project No.1 for 2020. Fuelled by the passion for making content for children, Traci said: “It’s so exciting to see my work on TV, it’s the gold standard in terms of having your work broadcast”.
The Invercargill-based team working on the song’s animation consisted of Traci Meek, Film-making student Tyler Baikie, and SIT graduate Wyatt Black.
Traci provided project management and animation services, while Wyatt offered distinctive Anime-influenced illustrations in the style of Japanese animation. Tyler put in 50 hours towards his internship requirement on the project, adding his prowess with After Effects and motion graphics.
Traci said the project couldn’t have happened without SIT’s support. The Zero Fees Scheme creates an environment for students where they can afford to live and have ‘breathing room’ to function and be creative. The team was also assisted by Kathryn McCully, Programme manager for Creative Industries at SIT, who provided access to specialist hard and software for pre and post-production.
Hamish Small, Head of Faculty of New Media, Arts & Business said even with the country in lockdown, SIT staff and students have managed to assist with an essential service.
“The positive outcomes for such a project have been fantastic, not only for staff outputs but for students to be recognised nationally and earning while they learn.”
Two other music videos, which are southern collaborations, could also be included in the TVNZ playlist in the future. Traci Meek worked with Lake Hawea singer-songwriter Anna van Riel by providing animation for the song ‘Doodlebug’. Alongside SIT programme graduate Kevin Reid, she supplied editing and motion graphics for Ms van Riel’s ‘Echo’, which was produced with funding from NZ on Air. Both videos have an SIT credit at the end.
