Nickson Fong

Sent by his father for art lessons since three, Fong studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design after getting a diploma at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts; he graduated from the college in 1994. Prior to him obtaining his master's degree in computer art at Savannah, Fong studied at Saint Andrew's Secondary School. There, he was a "school dropout who flunked his exams every year." His school's principal, the late Mr. Harry Tan Ho Swee, was quoted as telling Fong's mother:

{{quote|Your son is useless. If he can find a job in McDonald's earning $1 an hour, please find him a job}}

Fong's first animation job was at Future Pirates in 1993,{{cite web |url=http://go.bestdenki.com.sg/featured/nickson-fong-animation-maestro |publisher=Best Denki |title=Nickson Fong: Animation Maestro |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612004830/http://go.bestdenki.com.sg/featured/nickson-fong-animation-maestro |archivedate=June 12, 2013 }} a Japanese game developer based in Tokyo, where he worked in the computer graphics department{{cite web |url=http://www.xmedialab.com/mentor/nickson-fong |publisher=X Media Lab |title=Mentors - Nickson Fong |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202830/http://www.xmedialab.com/mentor/nickson-fong |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }} for a year.

Fong's early films are heavily influenced by HR Giger and Hayao Miyazaki. In early 90s Nickson directed and produced "Screamscape" a CGI animated short film in collaboration with Dr. Seah Hock Soon (Professor School of Computer Engineering Nanyang Technological University) Special Thanks to Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. In 1994, Fong started working on his graduation project "Dreamaker"{{cite web | url=http://www.getforme.com/previous2004/091104_animationcomesaliveatanimaxtion04_more.htm | title=AnimaXtion 04 - Featuring AnimaXtion Fair & AnimaXtion Symposium | website=www.getforme.com | access-date=2020-06-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522221933/http://www.getforme.com/previous2004/091104_animationcomesaliveatanimaxtion04_more.htm | archive-date=2006-05-22 | url-status=live }} a CGI animated Short at Savannah College of Art and Design it was accepted at the Siggraph'96 Electronic Theater - Nickson Fong was the first student at Savannah College of Art Design to have an animated short film accepted at the Siggraph'96 Electronic Theater{{cite book|chapter=Dreamaker|first1=Wei|title=ACM SIGGRAPH 96 Visual Proceedings: The art and interdisciplinary programs of SIGGRAPH '96 on - SIGGRAPH '96|last1=Ming|first2=Nickson|last2=Fong|date=1 January 1996|publisher=ACM|pages=[https://archive.org/details/visualproceeding0000sigg/page/178 178]|via=dl.acm.org|doi=10.1145/253607.253971|isbn=978-0897917841|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/visualproceeding0000sigg/page/178}} competing with professional in the animation industry.

An animated short film by Fong caught the attention of DreamWorks Animation when it was showcased at SIGGRAPH 1996, an annual animation conference, and shortly after, he landed a job at DreamWorks. From then on, he was based in Los Angeles, California.

Now based in Taipei, Republic of China, and Los Angeles. Fong is known for co-inventing and publishing,{{cite news |newspaper=L.A. Biz |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2013/01/04/academy-names-nine-sci-tech-awards.html?page=2 |title=Academy names nine sci-tech awards |date=January 4, 2013 |accessdate=January 27, 2013 |first=Annlee |last=Ellingson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111014024/http://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2013/01/04/academy-names-nine-sci-tech-awards.html?page=2 |archive-date=2013-11-11 |url-status=live }} along with two others, in 2000,{{cite news |newspaper=AsiaOne |title=Singaporean animator wins Academy Award |date=January 21, 2013 |accessdate=January 26, 2013 |url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20130119-396577.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029205343/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20130119-396577.html |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |url-status=dead }} an animating technique known as the "Pose Space Deformation",{{cite web |url=http://scribblethink.org/Work/PSD/PSD.pdf |title=Pose Space Deformation: A Unified Approach to Shape Interpolation and Skeleton-Driven Deformation |author1=J. P. Lewis |author2=Matt Cordner |author3=Nickson Fong |publisher=Idiom |accessdate=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108175506/http://scribblethink.org/Work/PSD/PSD.pdf |archive-date=2013-01-08 |url-status=live }} which makes animated characters' features more lifelike.{{cite news |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |title=Academy to honor nine sci-tech film achievements at annual gala |first=Nicole |last=Sperling |date=January 3, 2013 |accessdate=January 25, 2013 |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-academy-scientific-technical-awards-honor-nine-achievements-20130103,0,1716934.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120052444/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/moviesnow/la-et-mn-academy-scientific-technical-awards-honor-nine-achievements-20130103,0,1716934.story |archive-date=2013-01-20 |url-status=live }} This algorithm has been used widely in films, such as Spider-Man (2002){{cite news |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/school-dropout-academy-award-winner-20130124 |title=From school dropout to Academy Award winner |date=January 24, 2013 |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |first=Janice |last=Tai |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127175622/http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/school-dropout-academy-award-winner-20130124 |archive-date=2013-01-27 |url-status=live }} and Avatar (2009). and many other Hollywood films.{{cite web|url=http://www.fxguide.com/featured/sci-tech-oscars-technical-coolness/|title=Sci-Tech Oscars: technical coolness|date=5 February 2013|access-date=2018-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803014330/https://www.fxguide.com/featured/sci-tech-oscars-technical-coolness/|archive-date=2018-08-03|url-status=live}} Fong was awarded with an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Awards on February 9, 2013{{cite news |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/events/academy-announces-9-sciencetech-honorees/ |title=Academy Announces 9 Tech/Science Honorees |first=Ramin |last=Zahed |newspaper=Animation |access-date=2013-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109132613/http://www.animationmagazine.net/events/academy-announces-9-sciencetech-honorees/ |archive-date=2013-01-09 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lens-maker-cooke-receive-sci-408165 |title=Lens Maker Cooke to Receive Sci-Tech Oscar |first=Carolyn |last=Giardina |date=January 3, 2013 |accessdate=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120052444/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lens-maker-cooke-receive-sci-408165 |archive-date=2013-01-20 |url-status=live }} at the Academy of Sci-Tech Awards presentation. Among many other films, Fong worked as Senior Technical Director for The Matrix Reloaded (2003),{{cite news | title=There ARE creative people around! | date=March 2005 | newspaper=GameAxis Unwired | volume=19 | page=4}} as well as Starship Troopers (1997), Stuart Little (1999){{cite web |url=http://www.las.org.sg/wp/sjlim/2008/01/singapore-library-week-at-nlb-get-inspired-and-achieve-more/ |publisher=Singapore Libraries Bulletin Blog |title=Singapore Library Week at NLB: Get Inspired And Achieve More! |date=January 9, 2008 |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201607/http://www.las.org.sg/wp/sjlim/2008/01/singapore-library-week-at-nlb-get-inspired-and-achieve-more/ |archivedate=October 29, 2013 }} and Shrek (2001){{cite book|title=Biblio Asia |volume=3 |issue=4 |publisher=National Library |location=Singapore }} returned to Singapore and founded production company Egg Story Creative Production in 2004;{{cite news |newspaper=Film Business Asia |url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/two-animation-firms-close-in-singapore |title=Two animation firms close in Singapore |first=Patrick |last=Frater |date=January 7, 2011 |accessdate=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826071531/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/two-animation-firms-close-in-singapore |archive-date=2013-08-26 |url-status=dead }} Fong decided to focus on content development and pre-production in 2009 and he established another production company, Egg Story Studios and Re'al Sandbox.{{cite web|url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4886614.htm|title=Fuzeinc Partners with Asia for International Co-productions.|access-date=2013-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109133925/http://www.prweb.com/releases/2010/12/prweb4886614.htm|archive-date=2013-11-09|url-status=dead}}

Fong also founded Egg Story Digital Arts Academy{{cite web | access-date=2013-10-08 | archive-date=2015-09-23 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213822/http://www.designsingapore.org/who_we_are/media_centre/media_releases/07-04-09/egg_story_launches_digital_art_academy.aspx | url=http://www.designsingapore.org/who_we_are/media_centre/media_releases/07-04-09/egg_story_launches_digital_art_academy.aspx | title=Egg Story Digital Arts Academy | url-status=dead}} in July 2007;{{cite web |url=http://www.graduatenetwork.sg/happenings_event.php?event=dedicated&ckey=31 |publisher=The Graduate Network |title=More from Organiser - Artfusion Media School |accessdate=January 29, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304102420/http://www.graduatenetwork.sg/happenings_event.php?event=dedicated&ckey=31 |archivedate=March 4, 2016 }} it was sold in 2010 at its peak of 250 students and rebranded to [https://web.archive.org/web/20131003000507/http://emailwire.com/release/74925-ArtFusion-Media-School-Partners-with-Gonzo-Studio-to-Offer-Japanese-Animation-Training-in-Singapore.html ArtFusion Media].{{cite web | access-date=2013-10-08 | archive-date=2013-10-03 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003000507/http://emailwire.com/release/74925-ArtFusion-Media-School-Partners-with-Gonzo-Studio-to-Offer-Japanese-Animation-Training-in-Singapore.html | url=http://www.emailwire.com/release/74925-ArtFusion-Media-School-Partners-with-Gonzo-Studio-to-Offer-Japanese-Animation-Training-in-Singapore.html | title=ArtFusion Media School Partners with Gonzo Studio to Offer Japanese Animation Training in Singapore | url-status=dead }} One of Fong's ongoing projects is Kung Fu Gecko (working title). An action romantic comedy set a millennium ago in China, it had a budget of roughly US$20/30 million; a trailer being released in 2005,.

In 2018, he began directing the horror movie Bashira,{{cite news|url=https://www.wbfo.org/local/2018-07-25/horror-film-bashira-shooting-in-buffalo-creating-local-jobs

|title=Horror film 'Bashira' shooting in Buffalo, creating local jobs

|last=|first=|date=|website=News WBFO

|access-date=27 October 2021}} which was released on 2021.

Nickson has partnered with TectonicTales and has revived Kung Fu Gecko. Kung Fu Gecko is in works to be one of the first Hollywood animations to be released as an NFT. Fong is opening up the creative aspects; story telling, art and animation as a part of the NFT's utility.{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Fong has received the 2003 "Outstanding Alumni" award from the Savannah College of Arts and Design.{{cite news |newspaper=Savannah Morning News |url=http://savannahnow.com/stories/101103/LOC_scad.shtml |title=SCAD honors Founders, alumni |accessdate=January 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029234247/http://savannahnow.com/stories/101103/LOC_scad.shtml |archive-date=2013-10-29 |url-status=dead }}

At the National Day Rally 2004,{{cite web|url=http://www-958.ibm.com/software/data/cognos/manyeyes/datasets/ndr-2004-to-2008/versions/1.txt |title=Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally Speech 2004 - Our Future of Opportunity and Promise |accessdate=February 1, 2013 }} Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong praised Fong for his efforts.{{cite web |url=http://www.ipos.gov.sg/ProgrammesandEvents/IPfortheGeneralPublic/HIPHonourIntellectualPropertyAlliance/HIPAllianceResources/IPArticles/InterviewwithNicksonFongFounderCEOEggSto.aspx |publisher=Intellectual Property Office of Singapore |title=Interview with Nickson Fong |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304123529/http://www.ipos.gov.sg/ProgrammesandEvents/IPfortheGeneralPublic/HIPHonourIntellectualPropertyAlliance/HIPAllianceResources/IPArticles/InterviewwithNicksonFongFounderCEOEggSto.aspx |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}

He has said that filmmaker Ray Harryhausen influenced him and ignited his interest in animation.{{cite news |newspaper=Channel News Asia |title=First to Hollywood, then to school |first=Jeanine |last=Tan |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/277825/1/.html |date=May 23, 2007 |accessdate=January 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515112015/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/277825/1/.html |archive-date=2008-05-15 |url-status=live }}

Notable awards include:

• Feb 9, 2013 - Academy Award for Technical Achievement, together with J.P. Lewis and Matt Cordner for the invention and publication of the "Pose Space Deformation" technique.

• Nov 13, 2021 - “Bashira” received the distinguished Golden Stake Award ahead of its screening at North America’s Shockfest Film Festival.

• Nov 16, 2021 - “Bashira” Best Picture Winner At Bleedingham Horror Film Festival.

• Nov 30, 2021- “Bashira” won Best Original Soundtrack at the Terror Molins International Film Festival.

• Dec 11, 2021 - “Bashira” nominated for Best Feature at North America’s Shockfest Film Festival.

• Dec 24, 2021 - “Bashira” won Best Visual Effects Award At Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre Horror Film Festival

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Category:Singaporean people of Chinese descent

Category:1969 births

Category:Living people

Category:Academy Award for Technical Achievement winners

Category:Singaporean expatriates in Japan

Category:Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts alumni

Category:Savannah College of Art and Design alumni

Category:Singaporean digital artists

Category:Singaporean expatriates in the United States