What are the things an aspiring student must look for in a course in animation and VFX?
The student must make sure that the course offers a well-rounded and balanced syllabus giving him/ her a firm grounding in the principles of animation and VFX. It should enable them to work with industry standard software with quality film-studio facilities for production projects, alongside gaining the knowledge and ability to work professionally in the animation and VFX industry. Finally, courses should enable students to create a professional showreel to take with them to the world of work and put them in touch with important players from the industry.
The student must make sure that the course offers a well-rounded and balanced syllabus giving him/ her a firm grounding in the principles of animation and VFX. It should enable them to work with industry standard software with quality film-studio facilities for production projects, alongside gaining the knowledge and ability to work professionally in the animation and VFX industry. Finally, courses should enable students to create a professional showreel to take with them to the world of work and put them in touch with important players from the industry.
What is the scope of animation and VFX in India?
I believe that the animation and visual effects industry in India has a very optimistic future, not only with the film industry in the UK and US and games companies who are always looking for a talented, young and enthusiastic workforce, but also within the country as it has its own huge film and media industry. You could see this in adverts for Amul butter–they have come a long way in the last decade or so. As the general public expects films and other media to become more sophisticated, more animation and visual effects artists will be needed.
I believe that the animation and visual effects industry in India has a very optimistic future, not only with the film industry in the UK and US and games companies who are always looking for a talented, young and enthusiastic workforce, but also within the country as it has its own huge film and media industry. You could see this in adverts for Amul butter–they have come a long way in the last decade or so. As the general public expects films and other media to become more sophisticated, more animation and visual effects artists will be needed.
What does a career in this field offer?
Students studying this field have the opportunity to work in varied areas. We now view images on and in many ways and formats from cinema, television, computers, tablets, smart phones to even billboards. All these commercial films, games, and images will have had some animation or visual effect treatment added to them. Continuing expansion of this area offers career opportunities in film and television production, games development, educational programming and web content creation.
Students studying this field have the opportunity to work in varied areas. We now view images on and in many ways and formats from cinema, television, computers, tablets, smart phones to even billboards. All these commercial films, games, and images will have had some animation or visual effect treatment added to them. Continuing expansion of this area offers career opportunities in film and television production, games development, educational programming and web content creation.
Could you shed some light on the latest technologies in animation and VFX?
The latest technologies being used today are motion capture and facial capture (the process of capturing real-world motion from actors and placing on a CG character) although these techniques have been around for a while, they are now becoming far more commonplace and sophisticated. There are also pre-visualisation programmes which enable directors to envisage their concepts and ideas on the set. However, the area of animation and visual effects is always on the move with new techniques and equipment being produced almost daily.
The latest technologies being used today are motion capture and facial capture (the process of capturing real-world motion from actors and placing on a CG character) although these techniques have been around for a while, they are now becoming far more commonplace and sophisticated. There are also pre-visualisation programmes which enable directors to envisage their concepts and ideas on the set. However, the area of animation and visual effects is always on the move with new techniques and equipment being produced almost daily.
How can a fresher establish a foothold in this field that has intense competition?
As with any exiting creative industry, competition between peers is always strong. Commercial companies are always looking out for raw creative talent alongside students who might not have the best show reel but have a passion and enthusiasm for working in the area. The title animation and VFX covers a whole arena of different roles and career prospects. A student must be determined to stick it out. There are also plenty forums available online to put up your work on and gain visibility.
As with any exiting creative industry, competition between peers is always strong. Commercial companies are always looking out for raw creative talent alongside students who might not have the best show reel but have a passion and enthusiasm for working in the area. The title animation and VFX covers a whole arena of different roles and career prospects. A student must be determined to stick it out. There are also plenty forums available online to put up your work on and gain visibility.
Does India show the promise of becoming a big player in the near future both in providing talent and entrepreneurs in the animation industry?
Yes, I believe India is already showing that it can provide the talent and entrepreneurial drive in this industry with companies that played a major role in production of films like Avatar and Life of Pi. Movies such as Krish and Ra.One in the Indian film industry are making increased use of animation and VFX techniques. India also needs to look inwards at the immense potential there is to convert comic book cartoon characters like Chacha Choudhary. You have already seen success with animated versions of Ramayana, Chota Bheem and Bal Hanuman. Not to mention the possibilities with the expanding games and new media smart phone content.
Yes, I believe India is already showing that it can provide the talent and entrepreneurial drive in this industry with companies that played a major role in production of films like Avatar and Life of Pi. Movies such as Krish and Ra.One in the Indian film industry are making increased use of animation and VFX techniques. India also needs to look inwards at the immense potential there is to convert comic book cartoon characters like Chacha Choudhary. You have already seen success with animated versions of Ramayana, Chota Bheem and Bal Hanuman. Not to mention the possibilities with the expanding games and new media smart phone content.
