Two AM Music Global and Bandai Namco Malaysia continue their third year collaborating across several visual showcases
This month marks the release of ‘Yggdrasil’, a showcase animation project by Bandai Namco Malaysia that aims to break new barriers in graphical realism. From its mysterious beginnings, the film draws you in by forming a deep connection with the main character through his cracked lips, dirt-crusted skin, and a multitude of facial expressions, while he explores the strangely vibrant ancient temple ruins that surround him. These compelling graphics are backed by a Nordic-themed score and hyper-realistic sound design from the team at Two AM Music Global.
Leveraging traditional nordic instrumentation and ethnic melody lines, the score pulls you into the world of ancient vikings and their infamous battle traditions. Musical authenticity aside, spicing things up with a modern twist is always on the cards for the team, which explains the massive wave of thumping musical force that unexpectedly hits you when the story’s final turning point is revealed.
“”Yggdrasil” presented a unique challenge that gave us a large scope to dig in and really experiment. The near life-like visuals called for a delicate balance between realistic foley and supercharged fictional sound design, to carry the lonely character through his unsettling journey. A huge thanks to the team at Bandai Namco Malaysia for giving us the freedom to really express ourselves and try new things on this collaboration,” said Kit Kuan Leong, Sound Supervisor & Partner – Two AM Music Global
“While this intricate and detailed cinematic soundscape can stand proudly on its own merits, it certainly shines a bit brighter considering how completely different it is from “Tom Majors”, our collaboration with Bandai Namco Malaysia last year. Where the soundtrack for “Yggdrasil” swings you through many different permutations of despair, curiosity, and impending doom, “Tom Majors” instead awakens a passion for play, exploration, and an unfettered childish determination.”
Oliver Stutz, Executive Creative Director & Partner at Two AM Music Global, said: “Tom Majors was completely different from anything we’ve tackled before. We wanted listeners to feel truly nostalgic and relive the memories of getting lost for hours in their imagination as kids. We knew that the music needed to relate to the vibrant stylized visuals and synthwave influences from the 80’s , but at the same time, it needed to be flexible enough to drive a fast paced film filled with crazy action scenes and contrasting emotional moments. Solving this problem is what enabled us to create something fresh and unique. Ultimately, we produced a hybrid synthwave orchestral piece that features a rare mix-up of classic 80’s synths, drums, and FX, all working in harmony with live classical orchestral elements. These opportunities to push boundaries and flip things upside down are one of the many reasons we always look forward to collaborating with the team at Bandai Namco Malaysia.”
“It is always a pleasure to collaborate with Two AM. They are fun people to work with and are always able to surprise us with their awesome creativity. There is a lot of excitement every time we collaborate and we look forward to producing more work together,” said Ng Hui Rong, Manager, Product Management Department, Bandai Namco Malaysia.
“It’s been 3 years since we started working with Two AM. We always look forward to collaborating and at the same time we can only express gratitude as they always approach work with great passion. They are able to meet our needs no matter the style, and it gives us great confidence to work with them.” said Yosuke Naito, Chief Operating Officer, Bandai Namco Malaysia.
Credits
TOM MAJORS
Director: Anson Ng Lee Ming
Co-Director: Shawn Poh Theng Hon
Supervisors: Yosuke Naito, Adrian Colin Pave’e
Project Manager: Ng Hui Rong
Concept Artists: Saifful Johan Foo, Nasrul Hakim
Character Artists: Nabila Nariswari Safitri, Singgih Kuncoro, Tan Yi Da, Keok Rui Cong
Environment Artists: Nelson Ng Wei Hong, Sung Pei Sun, Oscar Yip Chun Tung, Wong Min Xin, Jacky Sim Zhao Xu
Animators: Chan Ken Neth, Wong Yew Chung, Loi Heng Yeap, Muhamad Izzat Afifi Bin Yasin
VFX Artists: Shawn Poh Theng Hon, Lovina Adriani
UE4 Tech Artists: Anson Ng Lee Ming (Raytracing/lighting), Nelson Ng Wei Hong (Setup)
Editor: Anson Ng Lee Ming
Music Composition & Sound Design: Two AM Music Global
YGGDRASIL
Director: Anson Ng Lee Ming
Art Supervisor: Nasrul Hakim Bin Mohamad
Concept Artists: Nasrul Hakim Bin Mohamad, Nur’Ain Binti Shariffuddin
Character Supervisor: Aaron Wong Kher Wei
Character Artists: Loo Hew Tung, Felicia, Clarissa Regina Wantouw
Environment Supervisor: Kok Chen Yong
Environment Artists: Hansel Febrianto, Woo Mun Kein
Environment Lookdev: Hugo Thung Hui Hong
Animation Supervisor: Chan Ken Neth
Animators: Julian Chai Ee Chern (Lead), Alexander Rei Apollo
Cinematic Artist: Anson Ng Lee Ming
Project Managers: Sarah Looi Sing Wei, Chow Ling Huan
Project Supervisor: Ng Hui Rong
Character Rigger: Plabon Bhattacharya
Music Composition & Sound Design: Two AM Music Global
