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Over the past few years, I have found a marked change in the mindset of the young generation. They are more interested in the new-age careers. But unfortunately, due to lack of information they ultimately end up with conventional streams.
One such new-age career option is ANIMATION.
Today, I have decided to write on animation and its prospects. I will start with a brief history and then next week follow with the career path and various career options which an animator can consider.
The word animation is derived from the Latin word “anima” meaning “breath/soul”. Animation is the process of breathing life into any inanimate object. It can be considered as the synchronization of art and technology.
Human beings have always tried to keep a record of their activities. Paleolithic cave paintings where animals with multiple overlapping legs have been found are interpreted as an effort to show the animals in motion.
Animation as we now know can be traced back to the invention of the praxinoscope by Charles-Émile Reynaud, a French science teacher in 1876, (https://youtu.be/ChRD0UG0txw ). In 1892 He projected the first animated film “Pauvre Pierott”, ( https://youtu.be/eHAdXf7ALYg )
Georges Méliès accidentally invented the technique of stop motion. He was a French illusionist, actor, and director. He used trick motion to animate letters.
James Stuart Blackton, also known as the father of American Animation, inspired by Thomas Edison used stop motion to create “Humorous Phases of Funny Faces” in 1906, (https://youtu.be/wGh6maN4l2I ).
Next comes the era of Walt Disney and his famous Disney studio which has created unforgettable characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, etc. This era saw the commercial success of animation.
In the 1930’s animation studios such as Universal Pictures, Paramount, Warner Brothers, etc. started their journey which are working till now.
In 1963, Ivan Edward Sutherland, an MIT scientist invented Sketchpad, an innovative program that influenced alternative forms of interaction with computers. Thus, animation got integrated with computer technology.
Animation history in INDIA
In India Dadasaheb Phalke, Father of Indian Cinema, made an animation film on the growth of a peapod using stop motion in 1914.
In 1956, Clair Weeks, a Disney Studio animator was invited by the films division of India to set up and train animators.
Veteran animators Bhimsain & Ram Mohan trained under Clair Weeks and started their career in Film Division’s Cartoon Unit.
In 1957, the first Indian animated film, Banyan Deer was produced.
A brief glimpse of Indian animation history can be seen in https://youtu.be/sv5-YYesbUk
Current Status of animation industry:
According to Mordor intelligence “Animation and VFX Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 9% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026. The demand for animation and VFX has expanded with the increase in the emergence of the media sector gearing up significantly in the sphere of the multimedia ecosystem.”
Animation and VFX are no longer restricted to the film industry but finds their applications in various industries such as:
Education industry
Entertainment industry
Advertising industry
Marketing
Scientific visualisation
Arts
Gaming industry
Simulations
Retail industry
Architecture and Engineering industry
Medical and manufacturing industry
As the demand for animation is increasing so is the demand for skilled people. Universities are now introducing courses related to design and animation. Most of the universities conduct an entrance exam for admission into these courses.
Animation is an industry that will evolve with time and holds a lot of potentials.
( ** Next week I shall discuss on the various jobs that one can expect after a course in animation.
Career-related or aptitude test queries can be mailed to iasakolkata.wb@gmail.com or WhatsApp to 9674384433.)