How’d you get started in animation?
I had created an animated music video about Vincent Van Gogh that was broadcast on Manosh Puttaan’s music program. Then, with absolutely no computer experience, I was offered a job at a graphic studio. They taught me everything I needed to know.

Where did you pick up your unique international animation style?
I studied at the California Institute of Art, which is an animation school supported by Disney, under animation legends like the people who worked on Snow White and The Lion King. Since then I’ve been honing my craft and sharing my style with others as a teacher at Kattana Animation School.

What’s the key to great animation?
It’s all about “exaggeration.” We’ve got to exaggerate everything from our drawings to our imagination. We’re selling an experience—something creative and larger than life with vivid pictures that people have never seen before.

How did you get on the Khan Kluay project?
I was in the US at the time, and Kantana Animation School sent me the script. At first, it was supposed to be a series, but after a little while, a friend from CAL Art and I decided to turn it into a full feature animation. When we got great feedback from the people who saw the sample trailer, the big wigs suggested we make into a full length feature.

What was it like working on Khan Kluay?
It was like working on a Disney cartoon. It was fun but difficult, especially when the lead character is an elephant. When I worked on Ice Age, the wooly mammoth was the hardest figure to animate 'cause it was difficult to make it look expressive. And then you have Khan Klauy with its herds of elephants, gosh!

What’s the story behind the little elephant?
Khan Kluay is based on King Naresuan’s royal elephant whose back curved perfectly like a khan kluay [midrib of a banana leaf]. Khan Kluay’s the first elephant in history that was appointed to be Chao Phraya. It’s a courageous tale about how a wild elephant chooses his own destiny and goes on to play an extremely important role in our historical triumphs.

Do you hope the movie goes inter?
Originally we wanted to make a more universal film but later felt that making it more Thai would be better. It would be good if the film does go inter. It would be like a cultural ambassador for Thailand.

Was the money well spent?
Absolutely. It only cost about B150 million compared to bigger American productions that range around US$60 million. Khan Kluay took less time and less people to finish, but it’s pretty quality stuff. It’s not Disney but it sure comes close. We’re really making progress to one day be recognized as a major force in the wonderful world of animation.