Meet the Finalist: Patradol Kitcharoen, "Go! Go!"

Tell us about yourself, and about Go! Go!.

My name is Patradol Kitcharoen or "Dodo", in short. I am a story artist, an animator, and a recent MFA graduate in Animation major from the University of Southern California. "Go! Go!" is a fun, lighthearted and playful music-driven animated short, which is much more than just my graduation project. It based on personal experience as the story is about a character pursuing a dream that seems almost impossible, while also experiencing the joy along that journey. It reflects on my own personal experience of being on a journey far from home to pursue my dream.

Share a memorable moment you experienced working on this project.

There are a lot of fun and memorable moments working on this film. I think one of my favorites is the story and songwriting part. There was a lot of back and forth between pitching the story to the songwriters and working on coming up with the right music. I personally that the project evolved greatly on that part and finally we have original, fun and catchy music that fits perfectly with the film.

Name 3 collaborators that you'd take with you to any other project.

I would definitely love to work with my whole team and mentors again anytime in the future. They all made this project possible so it is really hard for me to name just 3 of them. I'd like to especially thank Bill Piyatut H., the composer and a good friend, who will be the first one I think of when there's a need for a composer, Matt Bierwagen, a talented artist who takes the biggest credit in writing and performing this awesome song and Jiaxuan Cai, the sound designer/ mixer who added more lives into the film.

I would definitely take my whole artist and animator team as well. Without their help, the film wouldn't be as beautiful as it is.

3 tips you’d like to share with aspiring artists in your field:

1. Always have fun with what you are doing. If you enjoy doing it and put your heart into it, I think the audience will be able to feel the passion and enjoy your work as well.

2. I think knowing your limit is also important. Being ambitious is always great but can also be a risk. I try to be realistic about what I can and cannot do, and then do my best on the part that I can do.

3. I learn something new every time I work on a new project, as well as meeting new people. I like to keep my mind opened for new perspectives and learn as much as I can.

What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next 5 years?

IAs a recent graduate, I hope to gain more professional experience in the animation industry and grow more as an artist. I love drawing and telling stories. I am focusing on pursuing a career as a story artist for animated content and hopefully, get a chance to direct in the future..

Go! Go! is nominated for Best Animation, Best Student Film, and Best Music Video of the Year at the New York Film Awards.