It is good to be animated

BANGALORE: While India may have been a late bloomer when it comes to animation, it is definitely one of the brightest. Over the last four years itself India has seen exponential growth. The industry has been growing leaps and bounds, and is estimated to grow by another 26 per cent in the coming few years, according to Balakrishna M R, president of Association of Bangalore Animation Industry (ABAI) in Bangalore. Many international projects were outsourced to India owing to cheap and efficient labour, but winds are changing course, as India has begun developing and working on home projects.However, according to Balakrishna M R, while the demand for animation and skilled professionals is on the rise, one of the biggest setbacks that the industry is facing is the lack of standardisation of the curriculum and examinations for the course. “There is a great demand for animation today. Hollywood and international projects are no longer the only ones utilising the technology. A number of Bollywood films, vernacular movies and ad commercials have also fine tuned their production and opted for animation over the conventional method,” he said. Balakrishna explained that the core reason for the choice is that animation creates a better impact and is much more appealing. One of the main reasons that animation skyrocketed was the developments in technology and the demand for graphics and visual effects, applications for hand-held devices and the increasing use of special effects in the entertainment world.   Meanwhile, the lack of adequate support is tightening the reins. “Karnataka state government will be the first state which will announce a policy on animation, visual effect, gaming and comic to support the animation industry. The policy extend a helping hand to the industry both directly as well as indirectly,” he informed. When announced, it will help in not just bridging the gap between the curriculum taught in schools and the requirements of the industry, it will also support and place  Indian animation on the global map. It will also help in increasing manpower, talent and grooming which are crucial for the industry’s growth. Adding to the list of requirements is the necessity of inculcating animation in school and colleges. “This will give youngsters greater exposure which is another key element when it comes to the world of animation,” he mentioned. An aptitude for creativity and exposure are important prerequisites for opting for animation. “Only when a student is exposed to the world of animation will he/she be able to decide and narrow down on a field in animation. Real time exposure aids in building the learner’s confidence in his own skills,” he said. Abhineet, student of animation, agrees that the number of institutions teaching animation is very less.The career options though are abundant— from script writing to artistry and designing story boards. The courses offered by various institutions range from a duration of six months to three years, and the fees range from a few thousands to a couple of lakhs. “Since there is no standardisation, it is important that one is judicial in their choice of course,” he added.