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DZOVIG SEFERIAN BRINGS ARMENIAN FABLES TO NEW GENERATION WITH ANIMATED DVD
BY GEORGES ADOURIAN
Asbarez
Friday, December 10th, 2010
LOS ANGELES-A new animated musical DVD is bringing Armenian music
to children in a whole new way, fusing modern arrangements with old
favorites to create an interactive experience that highlights the
rich heritage of the Armenian people. The DVD is a collection of 16
Armenian songs, of which four are new and original and 12 are famous
old favorites. It includes five well known Christmas songs and one
new song devoted to the New Year. These songs, according to Dzovig,
are carefully arranged in a modern and exciting way, which entice
children to join the cartoon characters by jumping and dancing to
the tune of these songs.
Asbarez's Georges Adourian spoke to Dzovig about the new DVD and her
expectations for the project, which she hopes will revitalize Armenian
storytelling for a new generation of parents and children.
GEORGES ADOURIAN: Who is Dzovig the person and the artist?
DZOVIG SEFERIAN: I am a Lebanese Armenian. Since early childhood,
I had a love for learning, especially, the sciences. On the other
hand, also I had a great passion for singing. This unique blend of
contrasts has molded my character today, leading to achievements both
in the field of science and music. I earned my masters degree in civil
engineering, while cultivating the creative side of my personality.
G.A.: How did you come up with the idea of an animated storytelling
with songs in Armenian and for children?
D.S.: My sister's family was visiting us. During their stay, I searched
the internet for cartoons to entertain my niece, but I could not
find any Armenian musical cartoons. In our family, we encourage our
children to speak Armenian to keep the Armenian heritage alive.
That's how the Bochig/Pink Tail Tip musical animation project was
conceived after realizing that the Armenian community lacked animated
fun children's songs.
G.A.: How was it prepared? Who worked on it? How long did it take?
D.S.: I suggested the idea to a friend of mine, John Hajjar, who had
previous experience in animation. After brainstorming, we thought
of a way of putting this animated musical DVD together. We decided
that the songs would be in Armenian, with modern arrangements and
fast beat so children would enjoy listening to and jump up and dance.
I then selected several old Armenian children's songs and modernized
them, and composed a few new ones myself.
The 16 songs that I had selected were about different topics and
locations, such as, Christmas, New Year, birthday, farm and forest. In
order to link them together, we came up with the idea of the train
carrying the characters from one location to another. Thus, creating
a story, linking all the songs together.
The production of the CD took us six months. As for the animation DVD,
we designed the characters and then put a team of graphic artists
together. The project took us a year and a half.
G.A.: Why call it "Bochig"?
D.S.: We wanted to establish a distinct theme for our project. John
suggested that the tips of all the animals' tails be marked pink.
Hence, the name "Pink Tail Tip". The painter's job was entrusted to
Chico the chimp, who itself does not have a tail. Its job, as a train
conductor, was to paint the tail tips of the animals with no train
tickets. John wrote the lyrics of the "Tail" song in English, which
then I translated it into Armenian as "Bochig" and set it to music.
Hence, the name "Bochig. "
G.A.: What are your expectations for this work?
D.S.: For the past two years, I have been working very hard to produce
something new for Armenian children. I am sure that this musical
animation DVD will bring a smile to every little kid who watches and
listens to it. I hope that with the support of the Armenian public,
we will be able to move forward to the next level and offer more
advanced animation products in the future.
G.A.: Where can parents purchase the "Bochig" DVDs and CDs?
D.S.: The "Bochig/Pink Tail Tip" Armenian Musical Animation DVD and
The Armenian Children's Party Songs CD can be purchased online at our
website www.Bochig.com. They are also available locally at Sardarabad,
Abril and Berj bookstores, Chaterian, Parseghian, Artisia, Arax
Grocery, MSS Valley Produce, Vrej Pastrey and Garo Basturma. Also,
they are available at the Armenian Prelacy Bookstore in New York, as
well as at Hairenik Bookstore in Watertown. To get an updated list of
all the stores carrying "Bochig" CDs and DVDs kindly check our website.
G.A.: What age range are they prepared for? How do you think they
will benefit from the project?
D.S.: The DVD and the CD are best suited for kids under the age of
five. However, even older people would enjoy them. Children would
benefit from the CD by learning to sing in Armenian at an early age
and have a good time as well. As for the DVD, it adds the visual
factor where a picture is worth a thousand words, helping kids to
follow the stories visually.
G.A.: What lies ahead for you? Any future projects?
D.S.: I am working on a new collection of songs. Also, I co-produced
a music video in English about the recent oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico, depicting its drastic effects on the oceanic ecosystem,
which will be released soon.
From: A. Papazian
BY GEORGES ADOURIAN
Asbarez
Friday, December 10th, 2010
LOS ANGELES-A new animated musical DVD is bringing Armenian music
to children in a whole new way, fusing modern arrangements with old
favorites to create an interactive experience that highlights the
rich heritage of the Armenian people. The DVD is a collection of 16
Armenian songs, of which four are new and original and 12 are famous
old favorites. It includes five well known Christmas songs and one
new song devoted to the New Year. These songs, according to Dzovig,
are carefully arranged in a modern and exciting way, which entice
children to join the cartoon characters by jumping and dancing to
the tune of these songs.
Asbarez's Georges Adourian spoke to Dzovig about the new DVD and her
expectations for the project, which she hopes will revitalize Armenian
storytelling for a new generation of parents and children.
GEORGES ADOURIAN: Who is Dzovig the person and the artist?
DZOVIG SEFERIAN: I am a Lebanese Armenian. Since early childhood,
I had a love for learning, especially, the sciences. On the other
hand, also I had a great passion for singing. This unique blend of
contrasts has molded my character today, leading to achievements both
in the field of science and music. I earned my masters degree in civil
engineering, while cultivating the creative side of my personality.
G.A.: How did you come up with the idea of an animated storytelling
with songs in Armenian and for children?
D.S.: My sister's family was visiting us. During their stay, I searched
the internet for cartoons to entertain my niece, but I could not
find any Armenian musical cartoons. In our family, we encourage our
children to speak Armenian to keep the Armenian heritage alive.
That's how the Bochig/Pink Tail Tip musical animation project was
conceived after realizing that the Armenian community lacked animated
fun children's songs.
G.A.: How was it prepared? Who worked on it? How long did it take?
D.S.: I suggested the idea to a friend of mine, John Hajjar, who had
previous experience in animation. After brainstorming, we thought
of a way of putting this animated musical DVD together. We decided
that the songs would be in Armenian, with modern arrangements and
fast beat so children would enjoy listening to and jump up and dance.
I then selected several old Armenian children's songs and modernized
them, and composed a few new ones myself.
The 16 songs that I had selected were about different topics and
locations, such as, Christmas, New Year, birthday, farm and forest. In
order to link them together, we came up with the idea of the train
carrying the characters from one location to another. Thus, creating
a story, linking all the songs together.
The production of the CD took us six months. As for the animation DVD,
we designed the characters and then put a team of graphic artists
together. The project took us a year and a half.
G.A.: Why call it "Bochig"?
D.S.: We wanted to establish a distinct theme for our project. John
suggested that the tips of all the animals' tails be marked pink.
Hence, the name "Pink Tail Tip". The painter's job was entrusted to
Chico the chimp, who itself does not have a tail. Its job, as a train
conductor, was to paint the tail tips of the animals with no train
tickets. John wrote the lyrics of the "Tail" song in English, which
then I translated it into Armenian as "Bochig" and set it to music.
Hence, the name "Bochig. "
G.A.: What are your expectations for this work?
D.S.: For the past two years, I have been working very hard to produce
something new for Armenian children. I am sure that this musical
animation DVD will bring a smile to every little kid who watches and
listens to it. I hope that with the support of the Armenian public,
we will be able to move forward to the next level and offer more
advanced animation products in the future.
G.A.: Where can parents purchase the "Bochig" DVDs and CDs?
D.S.: The "Bochig/Pink Tail Tip" Armenian Musical Animation DVD and
The Armenian Children's Party Songs CD can be purchased online at our
website www.Bochig.com. They are also available locally at Sardarabad,
Abril and Berj bookstores, Chaterian, Parseghian, Artisia, Arax
Grocery, MSS Valley Produce, Vrej Pastrey and Garo Basturma. Also,
they are available at the Armenian Prelacy Bookstore in New York, as
well as at Hairenik Bookstore in Watertown. To get an updated list of
all the stores carrying "Bochig" CDs and DVDs kindly check our website.
G.A.: What age range are they prepared for? How do you think they
will benefit from the project?
D.S.: The DVD and the CD are best suited for kids under the age of
five. However, even older people would enjoy them. Children would
benefit from the CD by learning to sing in Armenian at an early age
and have a good time as well. As for the DVD, it adds the visual
factor where a picture is worth a thousand words, helping kids to
follow the stories visually.
G.A.: What lies ahead for you? Any future projects?
D.S.: I am working on a new collection of songs. Also, I co-produced
a music video in English about the recent oil spill in the Gulf
of Mexico, depicting its drastic effects on the oceanic ecosystem,
which will be released soon.
From: A. Papazian