From PAWs to Pixels - Nirupama Panicker – Production Manager

Nirupama Panicker, Production Manager at Mikros Animation in Bangalore, was involved in the production of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Here is her initial reaction when she learned she would be working on this film, as well as her fondest production memory:

Tell us about your journey into Mikros Animation.

It has been 1 year and 7 months since I started my incredible journey with Mikros Animation, and I must say Mikros Animation’s commitment to innovation, creativity, and excellence has made every single day a thrilling adventure.

Callum Shoniker as “Rocky”, Christian Corrao as “Marshall”, Christian Convery as “Chase”, McKenna Grace as “Skye”, Luxton Handspiker as “Rubble”, Nylan Parthipan as “Zuma”, and Marsai Martin as “Liberty” in Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie from Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures.

What was your role on PAW Patrol: the Mighty Movie?

I was the production manager for Bengaluru site of Mikros Animation and juggled handling a share of animation and post-production that was assigned to our talented team.
What was your first reaction after learning you’d be working on the Animation for PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie?
When I first heard the news that I had the opportunity to work on a movie produced by Spinmaster, I couldn’t contain my excitement. As a film enthusiast, this was a dream come true for me. And when I found out it was none other than the mighty movie, PAW Patrol, it was like the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae.
What were the technical & production challenges of the movie?

Starting the work on PAW PATROL, The Mighty Movie was far from a walk in the park. The challenges that lay ahead were anything but pretty. As we embarked on this journey, the initial days of onboarding team members proved to be quite a challenge. Little did we know that the transition from Windows to Linux would become a whole other story to write. The CG team displayed immense patience and dedication as they translated their wisdom on tools to meet the technical requirements of the project. Their support throughout the journey was invaluable. We had to understand the pipeline and the data flow between the sites, specifically Montreal to Bangalore. It was crucial for us to work hand in hand, ensuring a smooth exchange of information and ideas. One aspect that constantly knocked us on the forehead was the QC process. It was a rigorous endeavor, but one that was necessary to ensure the highest quality for our movie. It demanded attention to detail, precision, and a critical.
Describe the movie in 3 words

Action-packed,
Heartwarming,
Entertaining!
What have you learned since working on PAW 2?

I learned that no pup’s too small 😊 Jokes aside!

In a show, it’s like building a house – you need a solid foundation to ensure the structure stands strong else it’s bound to crumble. One aspect of this foundation that I discovered was the importance of effective communication. The usage of Shotgrid, made the communication process so much easier across sites, across departments & across individuals. It allowed us to track progress, give feedback, and collaborate seamlessly.

Tell us a production memory!

One of my best production memory was the visitors all the way from Mikros Montreal, who came to visit our Bengaluru site! Julie Marouzé and Memo Dupinet, are two amazing individuals. From the moment they arrived, the office was buzzing with anticipation. As soon as they stepped into the office, Julie and Memo brought so much energy and enthusiasm. It was contagious! They had this incredible ability to make everyone feel at ease and motivated. They were genuinely interested in our contribution to the movie and took the time to understand our challenges and goals. It was a memorable collaboration.