Felix Nakamura
Encyclopedia
Felix Nakamura was a latinoamerican animator. He was born in Peru from Japanese
parents, he lived much of his life in Venezuela
with his wife Isolina Nakamura and her daughter Rosa Nakamura. He died in his native Peru from cancer
, in April 2000.
as animator, and then settle in Venezuela, brought by the hand of the founder of Bolivar Films
.
He was one of the pillars of the founding of the Simon Bolivar University animation studios and its media division Artevisión in Caracas
, Venezuela, he served for several years like director of many young animators who began their careers in this animation company. During those years he produce with his team the first soap opera "telenovela
" that used animated characters with real people in RCTV
, "Dulce Ilusión
" was a huge success in the latinoamerican television.
In the 1990s, he prepared the curriculum of studies for the career of animation that was designed at the Andes University in Venezuela. He taught numerous animation courses for beginners, both in Venezuela and in other countries of the Caribbean
and Central America. Nakamura in his later years became the center of activity cartoons in Venezuela.
and Walt Disney
like his most important influence. His favorite movie was Pinocchio
, and his preferred character was Betty Boop
. Some of these influences can be appreciated in his work.
In August 2008 was created the First Animation Festival Felix Nakamura, to promote and share animation between Venezuelan
artist in the world.
Some of those who are professionally trained by him are: Jesus Quesada, Rosa Nakamura, Manuel Loayza, Maximum Cuya, Benicio Vincent Kou, Pedro Vivas, Miguel Lemman, John Timms and Jorge Zambrano
.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
parents, he lived much of his life in Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
with his wife Isolina Nakamura and her daughter Rosa Nakamura. He died in his native Peru from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, in April 2000.
History
He is known in Venezuela and in some countries of America as one of the most prominent exponents of Traditional Animation in Latin America. He started his career in ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
as animator, and then settle in Venezuela, brought by the hand of the founder of Bolivar Films
Bolívar Films
Bolívar Films is a Venezuelan cinematographic company. Founded on 14 October 1940 by Luis Guillermo Villegas Blanco, the company specializes in the production and post-production of television spots, documentaries, short films, feature films, audiovisuals and TV programs.Besides being a producer,...
.
He was one of the pillars of the founding of the Simon Bolivar University animation studios and its media division Artevisión in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
, Venezuela, he served for several years like director of many young animators who began their careers in this animation company. During those years he produce with his team the first soap opera "telenovela
Telenovela
A telenovela is a limited-run serial dramatic programming popular in Latin American, Portuguese, and Spanish television programming. The word combines tele, short for televisión or televisão , and novela, a Spanish or Portuguese word for "novel"...
" that used animated characters with real people in RCTV
RCTV
Radio Caracas Televisión Internacional is a Venezuelan cable television network headquartered in the Caracas neighborhood of Quinta Crespo. It was sometimes referred to as the Canal de Bárcenas. Owned by Empresas 1BC, RCTV Internacional was inaugurated as Radio Caracas Televisión on 15 November...
, "Dulce Ilusión
Dulce Ilusión
Dulce Ilusion was a Venezuelan telenovela that was produced by and seen on Venezuela's Radio Caracas Televisión. It was written by Mariela Romero. This telenovela lasted between 198 and 92 episodes and was distributed internationally by RCTV International...
" was a huge success in the latinoamerican television.
In the 1990s, he prepared the curriculum of studies for the career of animation that was designed at the Andes University in Venezuela. He taught numerous animation courses for beginners, both in Venezuela and in other countries of the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and Central America. Nakamura in his later years became the center of activity cartoons in Venezuela.
Influences
In several interviews, Nakamura always refers to Max FleischerMax Fleischer
Max Fleischer was an American animator. He was a pioneer in the development of the animated cartoon and served as the head of Fleischer Studios...
and Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
like his most important influence. His favorite movie was Pinocchio
Pinocchio
The Adventures of Pinocchio is a novel for children by Italian author Carlo Collodi, written in Florence. The first half was originally a serial between 1881 and 1883, and then later completed as a book for children in February 1883. It is about the mischievous adventures of Pinocchio , an...
, and his preferred character was Betty Boop
Betty Boop
Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick. She originally appeared in the Talkartoon and Betty Boop film series, which were produced by Fleischer Studios and released by Paramount Pictures. She has also been featured in...
. Some of these influences can be appreciated in his work.
Work
Nakamura appears in almost all the credits of the animated film material produced in Venezuela between 1985 and 2000. His most memorable work was the animated material used in the Children Museum of Caracas, Venezuela, and the TV commercial of "Pocetas MAS" that after 25 years still on air. "Canción del elegido" is maybe the most remembered material by his public. This video clip was the maximum goal reached by the Simon Bolivar Studios. Other projects like, "Chiribitil" and "Tatacosmico" never were finished because the cost by that period of time. His last great project was "Rosaura en Bicicleta" but never was finished, because his health condition.In August 2008 was created the First Animation Festival Felix Nakamura, to promote and share animation between Venezuelan
Venezuelan people
Venezuelan people are from a multiethnic nation in South America called Venezuela. Venezuelans are predominantly Roman Catholic and speak Spanish, and a majority of them are the result of a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
artist in the world.
Some of those who are professionally trained by him are: Jesus Quesada, Rosa Nakamura, Manuel Loayza, Maximum Cuya, Benicio Vincent Kou, Pedro Vivas, Miguel Lemman, John Timms and Jorge Zambrano
Jorge Zambrano
Jorge Zambrano recognized Venezuelan animator was born in Caracas, Venezuela in 1970. He finished his studies at the Central University of Venezuela, obtaining the degree of Bachelor of Arts, Film specialization, in the year 1999.-The Master:...
.