The all-exciting third dimension
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If you have the passion for special effects, fine arts, then the field is open for you and the sky is the limit, finds out Sumit Bhattacharjee.
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Remember the squeaky little character called `Gollum' in Peter Jackson's trilogy, `Lord of the Rings'. Any idea how it was created? It was created by animation artists in computers and merged with human figures in the film.
Isn't the blending of human and animated figures sound interesting?
Well, that's the new genre of animations. The old 2D (two dimension) animation that we have been seeing over the years and still see in the toon channels have reached the phase of redundancy paving way for the 3D (three dimension) complex animation.
3D complex animation
Under the new genre, one can create his or her desired character and blend it with human characters or even create an entire film with such created characters, which look human from every angle. Most of the latest films like the one spoken of and films like Anaconda, Matrix, Shark Tale, Deep Blue Sea and Stuart Little were produced using the techniques of 3D complex animation.
So, what's in store for animators? The animation industry is one among the sunrise industries in the world. Hollywood gurus say that the future of entertainment and advertising industry would be in the hands of animators. That sums up the potential of the industry.
India's advantage
According to Anderson Consultancy Inc., the global animation business is around $70 billion and India's share is currently pegged at $550 million. But it is predicted that the industry in India would grow at the rate of 30 per cent annually, and by 2008 the figure is going to touch $1.5 billion. Supporting this prediction, NASSCOM reported in its annual report that 60 new studios dealing with outsourced animation projects had come up in the recent past.
The main reason why foreign entertainment firms are flocking to India is the cost advantage the country offers. For instance, in the U.S., animators can cost about $125 an hour; in India the same would cost $25. The total cost of making a full-length animated film in the U.S. is estimated between $100 million and $175 million, whereas the same would be $15 million to $25 million in India. Moreover, the huge English speaking student community is an added advantage.
Suitable for whom
The industry certainly is not suitable for people who think, "Aare yaar, couldn't get through the EAMCET; so what? Let's try this. It could be our passport to Uncle Sam's land.''
"If you have passion for animation, special effects, fine arts or any creative field, then the field is open for you and the sky is the limit. So fly high...,'' says the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Picasso Digital Media Private Limited, A.B.R.P. Reddy, who was in Vizag recently to give a power-point presentation to prospective animator-students.
What's in Picasso?
"The institute is promoted by the Maharishi Group of New Delhi and Rayudu Vision Media Limited with a view to positioning India as the leader in the global animation map by creating world class animation professionals and content. The idea is to link education and production and bring international participation to India. The Centennial College of Toronto is our education partner,'' says Mr. Reddy. The group is setting up two state-of-the-art centres in New Delhi and Hyderabad. According to him, the faculty at both the places would be from Centennial College and the infrastructure would be on par with the laboratory at Toronto.
"Apart from that, there would be a lot of practical in-house production work. Our aim is make them ready for the industry right from the day they pass out. The certificate will be issued by Centennial College and it has global acceptance.''
The courses
On the teaching environment, the programme manager of Centennial College, Paul Koidis, says: "The focus would be on creativity in combination with technical aspects and not like other institutes where the emphasis is only on technical aspects.'' The courses are designed in two modules:
1. Digital Animation: Eight months duration. Entry based on portfolio review and interview (portfolio may include illustration, photography, video animation, computer-generated material or music performance). Entry norms: 10+2 with good English communication skill. Fee: Rs.1,75,000.
2. Integrated Design and Digital Animation: Duration 15 months. Entry norms: As above. Fee: Rs.2,85,000.
Contact numbers: Hyderabad - 98483-81109; New Delhi - 011-30820830.
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