MUMBAI (Reuters Life!) - When the Cartoon Network channel launched in India more than a decade ago, it simply dubbed its shows in regional languages.
But it soon realized there was a market for local content and tapped Indian animation firms for shows such as "Krishna Balarama" on a Hindu god and "Tenali Raman," a popular folk hero who was a 16th century court jester.
Last year, parent Turner International, in a maiden effort, set up a multi-million dollar unit in India to develop and produce animated films and original live action TV series.
"The opportunity in developing local animation content is significant," said Samir Patil, chief executive of ACK Media, which was recently commissioned by Turner to produce two animated films and a TV series based on popular Indian folk tales and mythology from the Amar Chitra Katha comic books.
The animation industry in India, including entertainment, visual effects and gaming, is estimated at about $500 million and forecast to double by 2012, according to financial services firm Ernst & Young. The entertainment segment is likely to grow at 18 percent annually.
Animation in India, driven by lower costs and software expertise, was largely limited to low-end work such as title credits, special effects and brushing up of scenes created in Hollywood studios. Original work was rare or of poor quality.
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Showing posts with label Indian Animation Market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indian Animation Market. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Indian Animation Turns Spotlight on Local Stories
Thursday, September 3, 2009
India's Animation Ind Seen At $1 bln By 2012-Report
MUMBAI, Aug 26 (Reuters) - India's animation industry is expected to hit $1 billion by 2012 and the gaming industry would touch $830 million then, aided by increased outsourcing and a growing domestic market, a report released on Wednesday said.
The Indian animation market, estimated at $494 million in 2008, is seen growing at a compounded annual growth rate of 22 percent till 2012, a report by National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and Ernst & Young said.
"The industry will witness a dip in growth rates for two years before becoming a billion dollar industry by 2012," Farokh Balsara, Partner & National Leader-Media & Entertainment Practice with Ernst & Young, said at a media briefing, referring to the animation industry.
The gaming industry was estimated at $167 million in 2008 and is seen growing at a compounded rate of 49 percent yearly to hit $830 million by 2012, the report added.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
4 animation institutes to come up in state
JODHPUR: The state will make further penetration into the field of computer animation and gaming education in the coming months with four more animation institutes scheduled to be opened in Jodhpur, Ajmer, Kota and Udaipur.
Giving the information during his visit to Jodhpur on Friday, minister of state for education Vasu Deo Devnani said all the preparations have been done in this regard.
Apart from this, three more institutes to impart professional training to the youth in the fields like graphics and painting, draughtsman and automobile, will also be opened in Bikaner, Bharatpur and Alwar respectively.
The administration of these institutes, to be set at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore each, will remain in the hands of the state government. So far, only one academy exists in Jaipur, which was opened last year by the government in private partnership.
According to reports, the computer animation and gaming industry is poised for a startling exponential growth. The size of the Indian animation market, estimated at USD 285 million in 2005, is expected to increase to USD 950 million by 2009.
The entertainment sector contributes as much as 68% of the total Indian animation market. In entertainment, the share of fully animated movies is expected to increase significantly, from 15% in 2005 to 28% by 2009.
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
First indigenous animation film Dashavatar ready
Dashavatar is the first indigenously made animation film.
Phoebus Media Pvt. Ltd's animation-mythological feature film Dashavatar which is scheduled for 13 June release is the first indigenously made animation film.
Shatrughan Sinha has done the narration for Dashavatar. Besides Shatrughan Sinha, other actors who did voice-overs for different characters are Sachin Khedekar for the character 'Lord Vishnu', Shreyas Talpade for 'Narad', Rupali Ganguly for 'Apsara', Tom Alter for 'Parshuram', Shishir Sharma for 'Bali Raja', Kenneth Desai for 'Lord Indra', Vinay Apte for 'Kansa' and Ashish Vidyarthi for 'Hiranakshyapu'.
The story of Dashavatar is based on ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, directed by Bhavik & produced by Vimal Shah of Anushvi Productions in association with Rahul Bakshi of Phoebus Creations Media Pvt. Ltd.
Dashavatar weaves together the fascinating stories of Ram, Krishna, Parshuram, Vaman, Narsimha, Buddha and also the tales of Vishnu in earlier avatars - Matsya, Kurma and Varaha and Kalki Avatar!
Dashavatar would enthrall the world when they will see that Ram and Krishna are two out of a legion of ten. It is an odyssey through time, showing the values of the old world matching the sensibilities of the modern one.
Dashavatar is a film that would have instant universal appeal for its entertainment value, sensible content, technical finesse and production values of international standards.
The Indian animation industry today is merely scratching the surface of our vast treasure of stories and the one with the largest canvas is Dashavatar, with its ten superheroes pitted against the vilest villains ever.
Source : http://entertainment.oneindia.in/
Phoebus Media Pvt. Ltd's animation-mythological feature film Dashavatar which is scheduled for 13 June release is the first indigenously made animation film.
Shatrughan Sinha has done the narration for Dashavatar. Besides Shatrughan Sinha, other actors who did voice-overs for different characters are Sachin Khedekar for the character 'Lord Vishnu', Shreyas Talpade for 'Narad', Rupali Ganguly for 'Apsara', Tom Alter for 'Parshuram', Shishir Sharma for 'Bali Raja', Kenneth Desai for 'Lord Indra', Vinay Apte for 'Kansa' and Ashish Vidyarthi for 'Hiranakshyapu'.
The story of Dashavatar is based on ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, directed by Bhavik & produced by Vimal Shah of Anushvi Productions in association with Rahul Bakshi of Phoebus Creations Media Pvt. Ltd.
Dashavatar weaves together the fascinating stories of Ram, Krishna, Parshuram, Vaman, Narsimha, Buddha and also the tales of Vishnu in earlier avatars - Matsya, Kurma and Varaha and Kalki Avatar!
Dashavatar would enthrall the world when they will see that Ram and Krishna are two out of a legion of ten. It is an odyssey through time, showing the values of the old world matching the sensibilities of the modern one.
Dashavatar is a film that would have instant universal appeal for its entertainment value, sensible content, technical finesse and production values of international standards.
The Indian animation industry today is merely scratching the surface of our vast treasure of stories and the one with the largest canvas is Dashavatar, with its ten superheroes pitted against the vilest villains ever.
Source : http://entertainment.oneindia.in/
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Where 'original Indian animation' is name of game
PUNE: One tour of Pune's Big Animation studio makes you realise that the Indian animation industry has come of age. And the man behind this set-up is Ashish Kulkarni, a pioneer in the field.
Kulkarni has created this massive studio with a built-up area of 60,000 sq ft, which will focus on original Indian content in animation.
"It was in 1995 that animation channels were first seen in India and there were no Indian stories. When our kids go to foreign universities they should have some knowledge of Indian epics," Kulkarni said.
The studio is owned by the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and is their first venture in the sunshine industry of animation and gaming.
Big Animation was born in 2005 when Kulkarni's Bangalore-based animation studio Ani Rights was bought over by corporate honcho Anil Ambani. The studio produced the popular Veneta Cucine advertisement that went on to bag a 2006 award for best animated ad film.
"My first choice to set up the studio was Pune; I didn't want my artists to waste their creative time in local trains (with a studio in Mumbai). In all, 370 people along with their families were moved bag and baggage to Pune," Kulkarni said.
It was naturally a dream come true for Kulkarni who after his daughter's birth in 1994 wanted to drift away from offshore animation production to something original and Indian. And that is Big Animation's USP.
What's interesting is all the techno animation artists at Big Animation live within a radius of one to two kilometres from the studio.
"We thought if an artist wants to take a break in the evening he can go home and come back later in the evening, as an artist in the middle of a project needs to be completely focused and commuting takes away that creativity from him."
At present Big Animation along with the Indian Heritage Foundation, Bangalore, is completely engrossed in the production of "Hey Krishna", an animated feature film to be released later this year.
According to experts, the movie will set a new standard in the Indian animation film industry in terms of originality and quality.
"The studio is into the process of setting up multi-feature film pipelines for both domestic and international markets in 2D and high-end 3D. Big Animation is channelising its energy and funds towards acquisition and development of proprietary products and tools to create a one of its kind IP value chain in the world," says Kulkarni.
The studio is equipped with a Dolby digital sound auditorium, a 35 mm Barco projection unit, the ones used at INOX cinema halls. The auditorium also has an acting floor for animators, separate sound recording studios and a sculptor's room.
On the technical side, Big Animation functions on 64Bit architecture, it has a foundry big Iron RX network switch, one of the fastest in the world and a Blue Arch storage rate. According to Kulkarni, each workstation is equipped with specialised PCs worth Rs 50 to 60 million.
With the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group also deciding to start its own television channels, the studio is bound to be a hub for most animation content.
Big Animation is planning to increase from its existing strength of 610 employees to 1,200 plus by the year 2009. Feature films and high-end computer graphics TV series for a global audience will be its focus area.
The Indian animation industry is said to be growing at the rate of 50 percent every year and is expected to churn out around 800 movies in the next couple of years.
Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Kulkarni has created this massive studio with a built-up area of 60,000 sq ft, which will focus on original Indian content in animation.
"It was in 1995 that animation channels were first seen in India and there were no Indian stories. When our kids go to foreign universities they should have some knowledge of Indian epics," Kulkarni said.
The studio is owned by the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and is their first venture in the sunshine industry of animation and gaming.
Big Animation was born in 2005 when Kulkarni's Bangalore-based animation studio Ani Rights was bought over by corporate honcho Anil Ambani. The studio produced the popular Veneta Cucine advertisement that went on to bag a 2006 award for best animated ad film.
"My first choice to set up the studio was Pune; I didn't want my artists to waste their creative time in local trains (with a studio in Mumbai). In all, 370 people along with their families were moved bag and baggage to Pune," Kulkarni said.
It was naturally a dream come true for Kulkarni who after his daughter's birth in 1994 wanted to drift away from offshore animation production to something original and Indian. And that is Big Animation's USP.
What's interesting is all the techno animation artists at Big Animation live within a radius of one to two kilometres from the studio.
"We thought if an artist wants to take a break in the evening he can go home and come back later in the evening, as an artist in the middle of a project needs to be completely focused and commuting takes away that creativity from him."
At present Big Animation along with the Indian Heritage Foundation, Bangalore, is completely engrossed in the production of "Hey Krishna", an animated feature film to be released later this year.
According to experts, the movie will set a new standard in the Indian animation film industry in terms of originality and quality.
"The studio is into the process of setting up multi-feature film pipelines for both domestic and international markets in 2D and high-end 3D. Big Animation is channelising its energy and funds towards acquisition and development of proprietary products and tools to create a one of its kind IP value chain in the world," says Kulkarni.
The studio is equipped with a Dolby digital sound auditorium, a 35 mm Barco projection unit, the ones used at INOX cinema halls. The auditorium also has an acting floor for animators, separate sound recording studios and a sculptor's room.
On the technical side, Big Animation functions on 64Bit architecture, it has a foundry big Iron RX network switch, one of the fastest in the world and a Blue Arch storage rate. According to Kulkarni, each workstation is equipped with specialised PCs worth Rs 50 to 60 million.
With the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group also deciding to start its own television channels, the studio is bound to be a hub for most animation content.
Big Animation is planning to increase from its existing strength of 610 employees to 1,200 plus by the year 2009. Feature films and high-end computer graphics TV series for a global audience will be its focus area.
The Indian animation industry is said to be growing at the rate of 50 percent every year and is expected to churn out around 800 movies in the next couple of years.
Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Pixel Academix, A New Animation Academy Venture Of Sanra Software Launched In Chennai
Indian Animation Industry is at stage of exponential growth, expected demand of around 3 lakh professionals in this industry in the next couple of years.
Pixel Academix, a new animation academy venture of Sanra Software Ltd has been launched in Chennai. The centre is located at Suite No.1A, Door No. 24, Wellington Estate, 1st Floor, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai – 600 008. The inauguration of the academy was done by Shri K S Ravikumar, a well renowned Film Director. Pixel Academix, a division of Sanra Software Limited has been conceptualized to provide the highest quality career oriented education in the field of Animation, Gaming & Visual Effects to create a world class talent pool that will fulfill the demand for well trained animators in today’s market.
Mr. A Venkatramani, Chairman, Sanra Software Limited said "Sanra as a Corporate is looking at being 360 Degree Company in the field of new media Technology . With focus on creating IP and servicing to global clients, we have already developed a high end infrastructure and team of diverse professionals in Chennai and Bangalore. We are already training for our In House requirement and Pixel Academix is an extension of this idea to bring the benefit of production based training to the student community at large create path breaking professionals to take this Industry forward. Sanra believes that with concentrated focus on each these verticals i.e. Products - IP Creation , Services , technology and training , the Company shall be able to give highest value to the stakeholders and also the Industry as a whole. The Industry is experiencing a major boom and it is a time for the members of the Industry to take efforts and take this Industry to the next stage of growth. "
Ms. Uma Karthikeyan, CEO, Pixel Academix said “Pixel Academix plans to focus on the south and west regions for the next 6-9 months. The Company plans to start its further centers in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad and then move on expansion to the tier 2 cities in Tamilnadu, AP ,Karnataka & Kerala . Pixel aims at having atleast 20 centres down south by end of 2008 and around 50 centres across India by 2009.”
Mr. S Manoj, COO, Pixel Academix said “We will be starting with our first course, Pixel 3D immediately. This course with a duration of 6 months costs Rs. 100,000 + Service Tax. Admission for this course starts immediately, w.e.f. May 15. In the next 2 months, Pixel proposes to launch a 2D Animation course, Flash Animation course and a Comprehensive 2D & 3D Animation course, keeping in mind the market requirement for integrated and full fledged animation professionals. All these courses will have Creativity training and Soft Skills training as part of the program and will end with a Live Project which all students will be working on. The USP of Pixel animation courses is that it will be extensively drawn from the Sanra production environment and the faculty / trainers will be people having rich production experience.”
Pixel Academix has its origins in a production environment. Sanra Software Limited, a Public Company listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange and with development & delivery offices in Chennai & Bangalore is one of the fastest growing Companies in the field of Animation, Gaming and New Media Technology. The Company has strong capabilities in production of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming and has the experience of working on Domestic and International Projects with a team of diversified professionals with varied experience.
Ms. Uma Karthikeyan further said “The Indian Animation Industry is at stage of exponential growth. There is an immense growth of original content being developed for both the Domestic and the International Market. Nasscom Estimates this Industry to touch the 1 Billion mark in India by 2010. On the quality front also, India has also become a preferred destination for outsourcing of various International Animation and Gaming Projects. With around 15000 professionals working across 350 odd Animation Studios in India and a CAGR of around 30%, the animation Industry is expected to be the next best opportunity creator. There is an expected demand of around 300,000 professionals in this industry in the next couple of years.”
With a strong understanding of technology and with a combination of work encompassing products originated from its own environment and services for International services, Sanra Software understands what it takes to be a successful professional in this field. Pixel Academix has translated this experience into its courses. The Course Curriculum at Pixel Academix has been structured and designed by a team of production experts to give the student an all round production oriented environment experience. Pixel Academix also believes that to be an all round professional, a student needs to be able to communicate, express and present his ideas in an effective manner. To ensure this all round development, Pixel Academix’s curriculum includes specialized Soft Skills courses on Effective Communication, Presentation and Project Planning. This has been possible through our tie-up with Paradigm Shift, a Knowledge Consulting Company that caters to the end to end Learning and Development (L & D) needs of today’s globalizing business ecosystem. Paradigm Shift has a pan India presence and counts almost all the top business houses in India as their clients.
Pixel Academix Edge:
Source : http://www.free-press-release-center.info/
Mr. A Venkatramani, Chairman, Sanra Software Limited said "Sanra as a Corporate is looking at being 360 Degree Company in the field of new media Technology . With focus on creating IP and servicing to global clients, we have already developed a high end infrastructure and team of diverse professionals in Chennai and Bangalore. We are already training for our In House requirement and Pixel Academix is an extension of this idea to bring the benefit of production based training to the student community at large create path breaking professionals to take this Industry forward. Sanra believes that with concentrated focus on each these verticals i.e. Products - IP Creation , Services , technology and training , the Company shall be able to give highest value to the stakeholders and also the Industry as a whole. The Industry is experiencing a major boom and it is a time for the members of the Industry to take efforts and take this Industry to the next stage of growth. "
Ms. Uma Karthikeyan, CEO, Pixel Academix said “Pixel Academix plans to focus on the south and west regions for the next 6-9 months. The Company plans to start its further centers in Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad and then move on expansion to the tier 2 cities in Tamilnadu, AP ,Karnataka & Kerala . Pixel aims at having atleast 20 centres down south by end of 2008 and around 50 centres across India by 2009.”
Mr. S Manoj, COO, Pixel Academix said “We will be starting with our first course, Pixel 3D immediately. This course with a duration of 6 months costs Rs. 100,000 + Service Tax. Admission for this course starts immediately, w.e.f. May 15. In the next 2 months, Pixel proposes to launch a 2D Animation course, Flash Animation course and a Comprehensive 2D & 3D Animation course, keeping in mind the market requirement for integrated and full fledged animation professionals. All these courses will have Creativity training and Soft Skills training as part of the program and will end with a Live Project which all students will be working on. The USP of Pixel animation courses is that it will be extensively drawn from the Sanra production environment and the faculty / trainers will be people having rich production experience.”
Pixel Academix has its origins in a production environment. Sanra Software Limited, a Public Company listed in the Bombay Stock Exchange and with development & delivery offices in Chennai & Bangalore is one of the fastest growing Companies in the field of Animation, Gaming and New Media Technology. The Company has strong capabilities in production of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Visual Effects and Gaming and has the experience of working on Domestic and International Projects with a team of diversified professionals with varied experience.
Ms. Uma Karthikeyan further said “The Indian Animation Industry is at stage of exponential growth. There is an immense growth of original content being developed for both the Domestic and the International Market. Nasscom Estimates this Industry to touch the 1 Billion mark in India by 2010. On the quality front also, India has also become a preferred destination for outsourcing of various International Animation and Gaming Projects. With around 15000 professionals working across 350 odd Animation Studios in India and a CAGR of around 30%, the animation Industry is expected to be the next best opportunity creator. There is an expected demand of around 300,000 professionals in this industry in the next couple of years.”
With a strong understanding of technology and with a combination of work encompassing products originated from its own environment and services for International services, Sanra Software understands what it takes to be a successful professional in this field. Pixel Academix has translated this experience into its courses. The Course Curriculum at Pixel Academix has been structured and designed by a team of production experts to give the student an all round production oriented environment experience. Pixel Academix also believes that to be an all round professional, a student needs to be able to communicate, express and present his ideas in an effective manner. To ensure this all round development, Pixel Academix’s curriculum includes specialized Soft Skills courses on Effective Communication, Presentation and Project Planning. This has been possible through our tie-up with Paradigm Shift, a Knowledge Consulting Company that caters to the end to end Learning and Development (L & D) needs of today’s globalizing business ecosystem. Paradigm Shift has a pan India presence and counts almost all the top business houses in India as their clients.
Pixel Academix Edge:
- Career Oriented Short Term and Long Term Courses in 2D, 3D , Gaming Design and Visual Effects
- Content extracted right from a production environment
- Software Training - Maya, 3D Studio Max, Zbrush, Photoshop,Flash, Toonboom , Adobe Premier Pro, Combustion, etc.
- Specialized Soft Skills development programs integrated in each course.
- Simulated Production Environment with the opportunity to work on Live Projects
- Continuous Interface with the Industry with regular Guest Lectures/ Seminars/ Webinars by Eminent professional in the Industry
- State of Art Infrastructure
Source : http://www.free-press-release-center.info/
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Manpower shortage hits Indian animation industry
MUMBAI: The Indian animation industry is expected to double its revenues to nearly $1.5 billion by 2010 but is still hampered by lack of skilled manpower, mainly due to lack of facilities and preference for traditional career options.
"At the close of next year, the industry will require at least 25,000 more trained hands to fill the gap and by the year 2012, the industry will have room to accommodate 300,000 professionals, if not more," Atul Vohra, in-charge of the education division of the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), told reporters.
At present only a little over 10,000 professionals are working in this techno-creative field.
Although there are about 500 private animation-training institutes, apart from a few government-run colleges having animation curriculum, India, as of today, has only a handful of institutes teaching high-end animation techniques.
"If there was earlier an anathema towards animation among Indian students, I would rather blame their parents and guardians for it. Because, until recently, the elders in this country had a misconception that animation was all about drawing cartoon figures and so they felt there were no career prospects in this field. They never encouraged their wards to take up animation as a professional course," Vohra pointed out.
The Arena, the animation division of APTECH, is the oldest of the lot in imparting animation training and it also has a variety of high-end training courses, while the six-year-old MAAC specializes on imparting training in 2-D and 3-D animation.
Read More Article...
"At the close of next year, the industry will require at least 25,000 more trained hands to fill the gap and by the year 2012, the industry will have room to accommodate 300,000 professionals, if not more," Atul Vohra, in-charge of the education division of the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), told reporters.
At present only a little over 10,000 professionals are working in this techno-creative field.
Although there are about 500 private animation-training institutes, apart from a few government-run colleges having animation curriculum, India, as of today, has only a handful of institutes teaching high-end animation techniques.
"If there was earlier an anathema towards animation among Indian students, I would rather blame their parents and guardians for it. Because, until recently, the elders in this country had a misconception that animation was all about drawing cartoon figures and so they felt there were no career prospects in this field. They never encouraged their wards to take up animation as a professional course," Vohra pointed out.
The Arena, the animation division of APTECH, is the oldest of the lot in imparting animation training and it also has a variety of high-end training courses, while the six-year-old MAAC specializes on imparting training in 2-D and 3-D animation.
Read More Article...
Monday, May 19, 2008
Manpower shortage hits Indian animation industry
MUMBAI: The Indian animation industry is expected to double its revenues to nearly $1.5 billion by 2010 but is still hampered by lack of skilled manpower, mainly due to lack of facilities and preference for traditional career options.
"At the close of next year, the industry will require at least 25,000 more trained hands to fill the gap and by the year 2012, the industry will have room to accommodate 300,000 professionals, if not more," Atul Vohra, in-charge of the education division of the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), told reporters.
At present only a little over 10,000 professionals are working in this techno-creative field.
Read More Article...
"At the close of next year, the industry will require at least 25,000 more trained hands to fill the gap and by the year 2012, the industry will have room to accommodate 300,000 professionals, if not more," Atul Vohra, in-charge of the education division of the Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), told reporters.
At present only a little over 10,000 professionals are working in this techno-creative field.
Read More Article...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Toonz Academy bullish on Chinese animation market
Thiruvananthapuram-based training institute in 2D and 3D animation, Toonz Academy, sees vast opportunities in the niche Chinese market, which holds a $10-billion potential for animation training.
"Animation as an opportunity is enormous in the Chinese market place with huge scope to provide broad-based industry-academia related curricula for students. We intend to tap into this emerging market, which no institution has entered so far, and have already initiated discussions with the Chinese government in this regard," Ramaprasad S, executive director of Toonz Academy, said here on Wednesday.
The academy had recently signed MoUs with various Chinese universities including the Beijing University, Shengyang University and Dalian University to start centres of excellence in animation. As part of this, a student exchange programme will facilitate 50 Chinese students to study in India from this August.
"We will devise a six-month course in classical (2D) and 3D animation after which we will design a two-year programme as per the Chinese industry requirements, before introducing a three-year BS degree in digital animation in affiliation with the European Carolus Magnus University by the next academic year," he said.
Read More Article...
"Animation as an opportunity is enormous in the Chinese market place with huge scope to provide broad-based industry-academia related curricula for students. We intend to tap into this emerging market, which no institution has entered so far, and have already initiated discussions with the Chinese government in this regard," Ramaprasad S, executive director of Toonz Academy, said here on Wednesday.
The academy had recently signed MoUs with various Chinese universities including the Beijing University, Shengyang University and Dalian University to start centres of excellence in animation. As part of this, a student exchange programme will facilitate 50 Chinese students to study in India from this August.
"We will devise a six-month course in classical (2D) and 3D animation after which we will design a two-year programme as per the Chinese industry requirements, before introducing a three-year BS degree in digital animation in affiliation with the European Carolus Magnus University by the next academic year," he said.
Read More Article...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Award for Ram Mohan, doyen of Indian animation
Mohan, the doyen of the Indian animation industry, has received a Special Recognition Award from the British High Commission at the Ficci Best Animated Frames (BAF) Awards 2008. British Deputy High Commissioner Vicki Treadell gave the award late Wednesday evening at a gala ceremony.
“He has played a significant role in the evolution of animation in India. With over a hundred films to his credit, his contributions span a wide spectrum of work across the areas of 2D classical animation, 3D computer graphics animation to cinema and live action,” said Treadell.
Ram Mohan, the doyen of Indian animation, recently completed 50 years of involvement with the industry. He is credited with teaching and training a whole generation of modern animators in India, said a statement from the high commission.
“The Indian animation industry is increasingly becoming the outsourcing capital for many UK producers including the BBC and Channel 4. The Indian and the UK film industries continue to have a mutually beneficial partnership,” Treadell added.
Read More Article...
“He has played a significant role in the evolution of animation in India. With over a hundred films to his credit, his contributions span a wide spectrum of work across the areas of 2D classical animation, 3D computer graphics animation to cinema and live action,” said Treadell.
Ram Mohan, the doyen of Indian animation, recently completed 50 years of involvement with the industry. He is credited with teaching and training a whole generation of modern animators in India, said a statement from the high commission.
“The Indian animation industry is increasingly becoming the outsourcing capital for many UK producers including the BBC and Channel 4. The Indian and the UK film industries continue to have a mutually beneficial partnership,” Treadell added.
Read More Article...
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Finding genuine talent is Indian animation’s biggest challenge
Even three years ago, who would have thought that Maya Entertainment Ltd, one of India’s oldest animation studios, was poised to become a Rs 100-crore company? And that the company will release at least two films each calendar year post-2010? If all goes well, the company may plan an IPO in the next two-three years. Ronald D’Mello, the new managing director of Maya, shared all this and more in a candid interview with Pritha Mitra Dasgupta. Excerpts:
Why did you leave UTV for Maya?
Being at the strategic helm of a diversified media company for 15 years, I felt the need to get involved in something more focused and, hence, the move.
What was your primary mandate at Maya?
The primary mandate was to drive Maya towards its true potential. Maya looked to me like an entity, which had the potential, and my mandate was to identify and ignite this potential.
What were the reasons for restructuring the organization?
There were some fundamental hygiene issues that needed to be set right, which led us to ensure that some executives exit the company. We also terminated some franchisee operations of the company on the education side. This was necessary to build a transparent and empowered organisation without which no business can expect to have all-round growth. Secondly, my study on Maya’s historical evolution led me to believe that the company was always short of its real potential because of a lack of clear focus on each of its activities. Hence, we restructured the organisation in three clear verticals—education, services and own intellectual properties (IPs).
What are the basic differences you observed in the work processes/culture in UTV’s animation division and in Maya?
I think Maya had the legacy of stalwarts like Ketan Mehta and, hence, the overall creative backbone of Maya’s animation was superior to that of UTV. Apart from that and some culture differences that are peculiar to a corporate entity versus a personality driven business situation, it was all the same.
What is the current revenue and compounded annual growth rate of the company?
Maya’s combined revenue for 2007-08 would be about Rs 100 crore, majorly contributed by its education vertical. While the education side of the business will see robust growth year-on-year, the services and own IP segments will see multiplying growth for the next few years, as we have been able to energise these verticals significantly during the last six months.
Source : http://www.financialexpress.com/
Why did you leave UTV for Maya?
Being at the strategic helm of a diversified media company for 15 years, I felt the need to get involved in something more focused and, hence, the move.
What was your primary mandate at Maya?
The primary mandate was to drive Maya towards its true potential. Maya looked to me like an entity, which had the potential, and my mandate was to identify and ignite this potential.
What were the reasons for restructuring the organization?
There were some fundamental hygiene issues that needed to be set right, which led us to ensure that some executives exit the company. We also terminated some franchisee operations of the company on the education side. This was necessary to build a transparent and empowered organisation without which no business can expect to have all-round growth. Secondly, my study on Maya’s historical evolution led me to believe that the company was always short of its real potential because of a lack of clear focus on each of its activities. Hence, we restructured the organisation in three clear verticals—education, services and own intellectual properties (IPs).
What are the basic differences you observed in the work processes/culture in UTV’s animation division and in Maya?
I think Maya had the legacy of stalwarts like Ketan Mehta and, hence, the overall creative backbone of Maya’s animation was superior to that of UTV. Apart from that and some culture differences that are peculiar to a corporate entity versus a personality driven business situation, it was all the same.
What is the current revenue and compounded annual growth rate of the company?
Maya’s combined revenue for 2007-08 would be about Rs 100 crore, majorly contributed by its education vertical. While the education side of the business will see robust growth year-on-year, the services and own IP segments will see multiplying growth for the next few years, as we have been able to energise these verticals significantly during the last six months.
Source : http://www.financialexpress.com/
Friday, April 25, 2008
Pixel Academix plans animation training centres
CHENNAI: The Indian animation industry is set for an exponential growth. India has become a preferred destination for outsourcing various international animation and gaming projects. The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) estimates that this industry will touch the $1 billion mark in 2010. Though there are many players in this sector, quality is the cause for concern, says Uma Karthikeyan, Chief Executive Officer, Pixel Academix.
To tap this market and produce quality animators, Pixel Academix, a new animation academy venture of Sanra Software, has decided to set up its own training centres in Chennai and Bangalore by this month end, says Ms. Karthikeyan in an informal chat.
She said Pixel Academix would provide career-oriented education in animation, gaming and visual effects, which saw a growing demand both within the country and abroad. With around 15,000 professionals working across 350-odd animation studios in India, another three lakh professionals would be on demand in the next couple of years, she added.
Read More Article...
To tap this market and produce quality animators, Pixel Academix, a new animation academy venture of Sanra Software, has decided to set up its own training centres in Chennai and Bangalore by this month end, says Ms. Karthikeyan in an informal chat.
She said Pixel Academix would provide career-oriented education in animation, gaming and visual effects, which saw a growing demand both within the country and abroad. With around 15,000 professionals working across 350-odd animation studios in India, another three lakh professionals would be on demand in the next couple of years, she added.
Read More Article...
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Turner turns to India’s animation opportunity
MUMBAI: After sealing a joint venture deal with Miditech’s Alva Brothers for television channels, Turner International India is now chalking out aggressive growth strategies for India.
Turner will independently launch its animation theatrical business in the country and is also planning a Hollywood-centric entertainment channel in partnership with Warner Bros.
For its animation business, Turner will establish a new “multi-million dollar business unit” to develop and produce animation films to be released primarily in the Indian market and expand its current output of live-action television series.
Steve Marcopoto, president, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Anshuman Mishra - MD South Asia said in a press conference on Thursday that this was Turner’s first maiden venture of its kind internationally.
Read More Article...
Turner will independently launch its animation theatrical business in the country and is also planning a Hollywood-centric entertainment channel in partnership with Warner Bros.
For its animation business, Turner will establish a new “multi-million dollar business unit” to develop and produce animation films to be released primarily in the Indian market and expand its current output of live-action television series.
Steve Marcopoto, president, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Anshuman Mishra - MD South Asia said in a press conference on Thursday that this was Turner’s first maiden venture of its kind internationally.
Read More Article...
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Cartoon Network and Pogo line up local animation films
MUMBAI: Cartoon Network will air four Indian animation films namely Bal Ganesh, My Friend Ganesha, Bal Hanuman and Krishna Aayo Natkhat Nandlal this summer. With these films, the tally of Cartoon Network’s locally acquired animations has touched 19.
Additionally, POGO has also acquired it’s first Indian animation – Chhota Bheem. The series has been produced by Hyderabad based Green Gold Studios.
Gearing up for the summer, POGO will also air Hindi films like Krrish and Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire. The channel has also launched a live action comedy series about a fictional sports league – Thumb Wrestling Federation.
On the other hand, Cartoon Network has rolled new action-adventure shows – Naruto, Maskman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; plus the adorable pre-school series Land Before Time.
Read More Article...
Additionally, POGO has also acquired it’s first Indian animation – Chhota Bheem. The series has been produced by Hyderabad based Green Gold Studios.
Gearing up for the summer, POGO will also air Hindi films like Krrish and Harry Potter and The Goblet Of Fire. The channel has also launched a live action comedy series about a fictional sports league – Thumb Wrestling Federation.
On the other hand, Cartoon Network has rolled new action-adventure shows – Naruto, Maskman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; plus the adorable pre-school series Land Before Time.
Read More Article...
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Animation comes closer home
The success of movies like Hanuman and Bal Ganesha has made production houses realise the potential of the domestic market .
The Indian animation industry is moving away from being just a back office for Hollywood studios and other international production houses. It is now creating original content for the local market.
With the success of animated movies like Hanuman and Bal Ganesha, production houses and studios are realising the potential of the domestic market. Apart from animated movies, animation series on television with original content have also been garnering huge TRP ratings such as J Bole To Jadu on Nickelodeon, MAD on Pogo among others.
The entertainment segment of the Indian animation industry is worth Rs 1,300 crore, says a Ficci-PwC report on the media and entertainment industry.
Over the next four years the growth in domestic demand for TV/Broadcast animated content is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.5 per cent. It is forcast the domestic market will be worth Rs 150 crore in 2008 and will touch Rs 300 crore by 2010.
The launch of new channels almost everyday and the resultant desire to provide diversified and original content has made media houses look for original and localised content.
Read More Article...
The Indian animation industry is moving away from being just a back office for Hollywood studios and other international production houses. It is now creating original content for the local market.
With the success of animated movies like Hanuman and Bal Ganesha, production houses and studios are realising the potential of the domestic market. Apart from animated movies, animation series on television with original content have also been garnering huge TRP ratings such as J Bole To Jadu on Nickelodeon, MAD on Pogo among others.
The entertainment segment of the Indian animation industry is worth Rs 1,300 crore, says a Ficci-PwC report on the media and entertainment industry.
Over the next four years the growth in domestic demand for TV/Broadcast animated content is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 49.5 per cent. It is forcast the domestic market will be worth Rs 150 crore in 2008 and will touch Rs 300 crore by 2010.
The launch of new channels almost everyday and the resultant desire to provide diversified and original content has made media houses look for original and localised content.
Read More Article...
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Indian animation industry poised for growth
Mumbai: "Hanuman", "Hanuman Returns" and now "Bal Ganesh"... the string of successful animation movies is an indication of the fast growth that the Indian animation industry is poised for after the development of some very advanced software.
"As far as the Indian animation movie production is concerned, a new phase has now started after advanced software has been developed. Technology is key to the growth of the animation sector," Ashish Kulkarni of Jadooworks, a Bangalore-based animation company, told IANS.
As of today, India has about 200 animation, 40 VFX and 35 game development studios, but the country needs more workstations to make optimal use of the potential that the industry has.
A.K. Madhavan, of Crest Animation Studios, says: "At Crest, we get trainers from the US and Canada to train our staff and help them understand the current trends in animation in the world market. This ensures that the output is on a par with the acceptable levels for international standards, especially Hollywood," he said.
Both Kulkarni and Madhavan agreed that given the demands, animation movie making will soon emerge as a self-sufficient industry and attain a full-ledged stature.
Read More Article...
"As far as the Indian animation movie production is concerned, a new phase has now started after advanced software has been developed. Technology is key to the growth of the animation sector," Ashish Kulkarni of Jadooworks, a Bangalore-based animation company, told IANS.
As of today, India has about 200 animation, 40 VFX and 35 game development studios, but the country needs more workstations to make optimal use of the potential that the industry has.
A.K. Madhavan, of Crest Animation Studios, says: "At Crest, we get trainers from the US and Canada to train our staff and help them understand the current trends in animation in the world market. This ensures that the output is on a par with the acceptable levels for international standards, especially Hollywood," he said.
Both Kulkarni and Madhavan agreed that given the demands, animation movie making will soon emerge as a self-sufficient industry and attain a full-ledged stature.
Read More Article...
Friday, March 7, 2008
'Indian animation is finally ready, it just needs a little guidance'
PUNE: Alexander Fernandez, 26-year-old CEO of Streamline Studios, the Amsterdam based six-year-old animation and gaming provider, describes the company as a 'starve up company', where the founders did not take salaries to grow the company.
The tall, well built, slightly bearded CEO stepped into his current position when he was a little over 20 years. The US born Fernandez likes to stress his Latin origins, a Nicaraguan mother and an El Salvadorean father, and believes Latinos and Indians share a common bond, in terms of culture, food, music and the creative arts.
Mr Fernandez, who was recently in Pune scouting for tie ups with similarly driven (starve up) animation companies, said he has been eyeing India for the past couple of years. A visit early this year convinced him that the market here is now finally ready. Excerpts:
What is your view of the Indian animation market?
I have been watching India for the past couple of years and kept thinking the market was not yet ready, in terms of graphics and marketing techniques. It was not very advanced. Then, I attended a Nasscom seminar in January and saw that the market was ready: the animation and youth markets are flourishing.
Read More Article...
The tall, well built, slightly bearded CEO stepped into his current position when he was a little over 20 years. The US born Fernandez likes to stress his Latin origins, a Nicaraguan mother and an El Salvadorean father, and believes Latinos and Indians share a common bond, in terms of culture, food, music and the creative arts.
Mr Fernandez, who was recently in Pune scouting for tie ups with similarly driven (starve up) animation companies, said he has been eyeing India for the past couple of years. A visit early this year convinced him that the market here is now finally ready. Excerpts:
What is your view of the Indian animation market?
I have been watching India for the past couple of years and kept thinking the market was not yet ready, in terms of graphics and marketing techniques. It was not very advanced. Then, I attended a Nasscom seminar in January and saw that the market was ready: the animation and youth markets are flourishing.
Read More Article...
Monday, March 3, 2008
The Changing Face of India Animation
Feature News: India Animation
The current landscape of television and feature animation development and production in India, for all of the fervor surrounding its few star players and for all of the potential misgivings about the industry's reliance upon serving as a receptacle for Western outsourcing needs, is experiencing a period of immense change. The changing face of Indian animation is more volatile than some may choose to let on, needing to address issues such as those concerning global animation conglomerates, a week infrastructure and a perceived shoring up of human resources among other wories.
According to current estimates, the Indian animation market itself lacks cohesion and a confident, profitable business mindset. Satisfaction through keeping to the shadows as far as their position in the global animation marketplace is concerned, is no longer becoming an option. Jaiddep Ghosh, Director, KPMG Advisory Services, Ltd., commented in early February to Business Standard online: "India is the largest media consuming market in the world," he states, clarifying that it's market size is only estimated from 1%-3.5% of the several billions of U.S. dollars of the States' market. India's animation industry is valued currently, conservatively, from USD $324.2 - $354 million.
Indeed still regarded as a "developing" nation when it comes to maintaining an established presence in animation, India is resultantly facing the problems traditionally associated with growth: lack of highly skilled manpower where necessary, increased desire for original materials, need for a larger workspace and a want for more financing. In order to adapt successfully to these and other needs of its industry, Indian businessmen are finding that steps should be taken now, while opinions are high, before the region falls behind.
Having spent a decade merging select animation facilities and attempting to plant the seeds of animation training studios, India is as ready as ever to grow. Establishing the training grounds is an obvious way to mold a backbone to a powerful market, popular location such as the following have notably contributed: the Film and Television Institute in Pune, India; the Zee Institute of Creative Arts for digital animation and the Heart Animation Academy as well.
"The future of the animation industry is good. But we have to be very careful, as it is not completely developed. We have to make sure that the films that are made are good," Govind Nihilani, an animation director recently commented. These "good" films of which, are currently being sought by studios from the minds of a rather shallow pool of experienced animation professionals. Although there is, at present, a good supply of novice artists to perform smaller tasks, the demand for visionaries is high.
"Creativity in India is far superior than the West," Ashok Kaul, a renowned film director and pioneer in the animated films in India, commented to India Times. "We must encash… [India's] talent to put the Indian Animation and Gaming industry on a growth trajectory which has," Kaul proudly asserts, "vast potential."
According to NASSCOM's study of the Indian animation and videogame industries in the previous year, growth projections include, according to sources, the ready availability of skilled resources in "huge numbers." Currently, weak infrastructure and the previously stated, impending shortage of animators of great skill (and experience) are a threat to India's growth; a growth that has the potential to reach USD $15 billion by the end of the 2008/2009-year. Additional reported estimates: animated feature films should provide India with more than USD $2 billion over the next three years; and India could use 300,000 professionals in content development and animation by 2008, up from a meager 27,000 persons as recent as the 2001-year.
Source : http://www.animationinsider.net/
The current landscape of television and feature animation development and production in India, for all of the fervor surrounding its few star players and for all of the potential misgivings about the industry's reliance upon serving as a receptacle for Western outsourcing needs, is experiencing a period of immense change. The changing face of Indian animation is more volatile than some may choose to let on, needing to address issues such as those concerning global animation conglomerates, a week infrastructure and a perceived shoring up of human resources among other wories.
According to current estimates, the Indian animation market itself lacks cohesion and a confident, profitable business mindset. Satisfaction through keeping to the shadows as far as their position in the global animation marketplace is concerned, is no longer becoming an option. Jaiddep Ghosh, Director, KPMG Advisory Services, Ltd., commented in early February to Business Standard online: "India is the largest media consuming market in the world," he states, clarifying that it's market size is only estimated from 1%-3.5% of the several billions of U.S. dollars of the States' market. India's animation industry is valued currently, conservatively, from USD $324.2 - $354 million.
Indeed still regarded as a "developing" nation when it comes to maintaining an established presence in animation, India is resultantly facing the problems traditionally associated with growth: lack of highly skilled manpower where necessary, increased desire for original materials, need for a larger workspace and a want for more financing. In order to adapt successfully to these and other needs of its industry, Indian businessmen are finding that steps should be taken now, while opinions are high, before the region falls behind.
Having spent a decade merging select animation facilities and attempting to plant the seeds of animation training studios, India is as ready as ever to grow. Establishing the training grounds is an obvious way to mold a backbone to a powerful market, popular location such as the following have notably contributed: the Film and Television Institute in Pune, India; the Zee Institute of Creative Arts for digital animation and the Heart Animation Academy as well.
"The future of the animation industry is good. But we have to be very careful, as it is not completely developed. We have to make sure that the films that are made are good," Govind Nihilani, an animation director recently commented. These "good" films of which, are currently being sought by studios from the minds of a rather shallow pool of experienced animation professionals. Although there is, at present, a good supply of novice artists to perform smaller tasks, the demand for visionaries is high.
"Creativity in India is far superior than the West," Ashok Kaul, a renowned film director and pioneer in the animated films in India, commented to India Times. "We must encash… [India's] talent to put the Indian Animation and Gaming industry on a growth trajectory which has," Kaul proudly asserts, "vast potential."
According to NASSCOM's study of the Indian animation and videogame industries in the previous year, growth projections include, according to sources, the ready availability of skilled resources in "huge numbers." Currently, weak infrastructure and the previously stated, impending shortage of animators of great skill (and experience) are a threat to India's growth; a growth that has the potential to reach USD $15 billion by the end of the 2008/2009-year. Additional reported estimates: animated feature films should provide India with more than USD $2 billion over the next three years; and India could use 300,000 professionals in content development and animation by 2008, up from a meager 27,000 persons as recent as the 2001-year.
Source : http://www.animationinsider.net/
Monday, February 25, 2008
Indian animation film Manpasand awarded in NY
Mumbai: It's a first for Indian animation with Mumbai based Dhvani Desai's Manpasand based on a dying folk art winning at the New York Film and Video Awards this year.
Its been Dhvani's patient effort for over two years to bring to life traditional sketches of Sanjhi. She finally used this dying art form from Uttar Pradesh as a medium to animate the Panchatantra story Manpasand.
Now, after 10 nominations worldwide and an award in New York, Dhvani's efforts have paid off. Surprisingly, her desire to revive this folk art has a lot to do with a relationship that her film's story and the art form share.
Read More Article...
Monday, February 4, 2008
Indian animation industry may touch $950 mn by 2009
With global players like Walt Disney, Imax, Warner Bros signing contracts with Indian animation companies for outsourcing and co-production, it is expected that the animation industry in India can touch $950 million by 2009 and is expected to grow at a fast pace over the next five years.
However, outside the Industry there is scepticism about the pace of growth because of the challenges like piracy, lack of intellectual property (IP) protection rights, acute lack of resources and investments the Industry is facing.
In an interaction with Business Standard, KPMG Advisory Services (P) Ltd Director Jaiddep Ghosh said, “Although India is the largest media consuming market in the world, only 1 per cent of the US market size which is estimated at $10 billion, so far the animation is concerned, it is currently pegged at $600 million.”
Read More Article...
However, outside the Industry there is scepticism about the pace of growth because of the challenges like piracy, lack of intellectual property (IP) protection rights, acute lack of resources and investments the Industry is facing.
In an interaction with Business Standard, KPMG Advisory Services (P) Ltd Director Jaiddep Ghosh said, “Although India is the largest media consuming market in the world, only 1 per cent of the US market size which is estimated at $10 billion, so far the animation is concerned, it is currently pegged at $600 million.”
Read More Article...
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