UiTM students take creative animation out of the classroom at Beyond First Frame showcase

COURSEWORK that ends with a submission and a grade only ever reaches one audience.

For semester five students of the Bachelor of New Media Communication (Hons) programme (MC249) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), breaking free from the confines of a computer hard drive was the ultimate test of their readiness for the real world.

The Faculty of Communication and Media Studies students brought their creative visions to the public today through Beyond First Frame: Where Stories Come Alive. The digital creative content exhibition, held at Galeri Gesturz, UiTM Shah Alam from 9am to 3pm on Thursday, showcased a sophisticated array of original 2D and 3D animations alongside interactive game productions.

Operating as independent studios, student teams shouldered the entire weight of a full production cycle. Under the supervision of project advisor Dr Mohamad Razeef Shah Mohmad Rafik, they navigated the grueling pipeline of concept development, scriptwriting, storyboarding, asset creation, sound design and final delivery.

Shifting from classroom to industry

"Beyond First Frame is about what happens after the first frame is drawn. The first frame is the easy part. Everything after it is discipline, collaboration and the willingness to keep solving problems until the story works.

"These students have carried their ideas through an entire pipeline and what visitors see today (Thursday) is the result of that persistence," said Razeef.

The senior lecturer, who conceptualised the initiative in 2019, explained that the biannual showcase serves a dual purpose as a pedagogical tool and an industry launchpad.

"This platform takes the work out of the hard drive and puts it in front of an audience, so students learn to present their ideas, defend their creative choices and talk about their craft with the public and with industry. That experience is part of the education," he said.

By simulating authentic production conditions, the exhibition gives local animation studios, digital practitioners and prospective collaborators direct access to emerging Malaysian talent.

To ensure this visibility outlasts the single-day physical event, Razeef also developed a dedicated archival website where student portfolios remain permanently accessible to talent scouts and employers.

A showcase of diverse narrative craft

The exhibition featured five distinct student-led titles, demonstrating both the technical breadth and narrative maturity expected of modern graduates entering the local creative content sector:

• The Lanternhead (2D Animation): Produced by GulaRawr Studio, featuring the creative teamwork of Nurul Aireenna Erwani Shamsul Haimi, Nurul Ain Saiful Anuar, Mimi Maisarah Fairus Azman, Fasha Nadira Suhaimi and Fara Zulaikha Zaharuddin.
• Fly Stickz (3D Animation): Brought to life by Quadtrouble Studios, comprising Wan Qoyyeem Al-Jawzee Wan Ismail, Muhammad Aqil Annizat, Nur Aleya Safrina Azmi and Mohamad Hazriq Khalid.
• Awakening (Game Development): Crafted by FASA Studio's team consisting of Amirul Rashid Wan Mohd Aminadhallah, Muhammad Fariz Umair Noor Dzahar, Aiesyah Moh Azriff and Muhammad Syahmi Suhaimi.
• Bayuara: Barah Kengkayu (3D Animation): Developed by Studio Crevue, led by the trio of Zairul Hakimi Zamri, Ahmad Danish Danial Sharuddin and Ahmad Danial Mohd Shahrulnizam.
• Stones (3D Animation): Produced by Mirai Studio, featuring the collaborative efforts of Ilham Nadhirah Zulhisam, Nurul Iman Norizal, Nurul Asyiqin Razak and Nur Afifah Nasuha Mohamed Azil Asraf.

The exhibition also serves as an industry facing platform, giving studios, practitioners and prospective collaborators direct access to emerging Malaysian talent and to a portfolio of work produced under authentic production conditions.