Young Guns 17: Kenta Shinohara

By Brett McKenzie on Nov 04, 2019

Shining a light on the amazing class of Young Guns 17

What happens when you take a jury of 60+ respected creatives, more than 500 entries from all over the globe, and mix them all together for two months of serious consideration, debate and decision-making? Eventually you get the winners of Young Guns 17! This year, The One Club for Creativity is honoring a creatively diverse class of 28 winners, including animators, designers, photographers, illustrators, film directors and editors, all of whom came out of this process as true champions of their craft.

Ahead of the Young Guns 17 Ceremony + Party taking place on November 20, we are featuring the various superstars who will be taking the stage that evening.

Kenta Shinohara
Stop Motion Animator

Based:

Tokyo, Japan

Hometown:

Ehime, Japan

SEE KENTA'S ENTRY

First of all, congratulations! Now how did you first discover Young Guns?

I first learned about Young Guns earlier this year when somebody I respect very much had nominated me. Until then, I never really knew about award shows outside of Japan.

Which of the projects that you entered is your personal favorite and why?

My favorite is 'Mogu and Perol'. This was the first film that I worked on and animated with my master Hiro Minegishi on the same stage.

What was it like to discover that you won YG17?

I was so happy! I’ wanted to tell my friends, colleagues, and family about it as soon as possible.

How would you describe your creative style?

My style is to make puppets look alive with minimal animation. I love to direct and animate at the same time on a project.

What is your favorite tool when it comes to making what you do, something you’d feel naked without?

It is a “surface gauge”. It is a tool I use to mark the position of animating objects. Using this tool, I can animate smoothly. Besides, my master gave it to me when I first started, so it has some emotional value to me.

What do you do when you hit a creative wall, when you are stuck for ideas and solutions?

I try to uplift myself with amusing films.

Who are some of the biggest influences on your work and career?

One is my master, Hiro Minegishi, who is a renowned stop motion animator. The other is the famous animation director Hayao Miyazaki.

Now that you’re in the Young Guns family, are there any past winners that you look up to and admire?

No one in particular. I am learning that all of them are amazing.

Name a creative dream that you have yet to fulfill.

I’d like to create more of my own work and influence many people with it.

Any final thoughts for the Young Guns community?

Thank you so much! Winning this award is giving me my first ever first trip abroad.

WORDS FROM THE JURY

“Kenta Shinohara's skill and attention to detail in his art show true mastery and understanding of his field. It is a pleasure to get lost in stories that are so beautifully animated, lit and composed. With his work, he enables this genre to excel and makes one wonder how it was even possible. He is a true Young Gun!”