Indian Animators could produce the next Shrek; Manipal paves the way for Education in Animation

Bangalore, 13th July 2007: Manipal’s new initiative is all set to cater to the talent shortage in the field of Animation in India. A new Degree Programme in Animation has been launched to ensure that students are more than adequately qualified for a successful career in the booming animation industry. The degree will be awarded from Manipal University.

Last year, a Nasscom study on forecast that the global animation market would generate revenues worth $50-70 billion this year. In the last few years, India has emerged as a global powerhouse in technology development. But experts say that unlike animators in countries like China, South Korea or the Philippines, Indian animators have not been exposed to animation films.

There is so much excitement worldwide about India’s role in Animation, which makes it clear that there is a very strong need for skilled professionals. “As with any other serious career option, Animation education is now mainstream and only a full-time degree will teach students all the technical and traditional skills required to make a career in animation,” says Mr. Rajiv Choudhary, CEO ISearch.

The 3 year full-time Degree in Animation from Manipal, designed with inputs from experts in the industry will launch students toward a successful career in animation 2D & 3D, visual effects for film & television, and emerging applications for 3D visualization. Students will learn the fundamentals of traditional art, design, animation and then apply this knowledge to 3D modelling, texture & lighting and compositing.

They will work in a professional-grade drawing studio with industry standard light tables and animation labs with Apple Machines that boast an astonishing one-to-one (student-to-machine) ratio. They will work on the latest software, including AutoDesk Maya & 3D Studio Max, AdobeCS3 Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Final Cut Pro and Combustion.

As part of the curriculum, students will create a series of minor projects and assets throughout the degree program in addition to a major project specially developed to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities to potential employers. The training provided in the animation degree program will include drawing, storyboarding, 2D animation, 3D animation, modelling, texture and lighting, character rigging, dynamic effects, video editing and compositing.

This training will prepare students for entry level positions in the fields of animation, visual effects for film and television, video game production, scientific visualization and other mediums that require 3D graphics and animation. While comprehensive training will be given on 2D, 3D, Visual Effects and Gaming several unique features have been factored in to lend intensity, authenticity and depth to the course. These features have been based on committed research undertaken on the industry, current levels of expertise, gaps to be filled and requirements from live professionals in the field.

Aashish Kulkarni, CEO, Anirights, believes that a short-term course can not make somebody a doctor or an engineer and similarly a short term program cannot make someone an animation or an SFX professional. The analogy being the seriousness of the Animation Program introduced by Manipal Education Group

“The faculty comprises of experts with impressive experience in industry. Students who graduate will be prepared for entry-level employment as graphic artists, compositing artists, 2D animators, 3D animators, modellers, game artists and more”, says Hari Menon, Head – Vocational Education, Manipal Universal Learning Private Limited.

Eligible candidates are those who have completed 10+2 and harbour a passion for the creative arts and love for the media. The programme will start from the 1st August 2007, at the Manipal’s Yelahanka Campus.

For more information, email: admissions@manipal.edu

About Manipal Education:

For the last six decades, Manipal has been offering education to young minds and moulding them into thought leaders. Because of this and its excellent academics, it is fast gaining international recognition. It is emerging as the leading light in the arena of higher education for students not only from India but from 51 different countries.

A universe of institutes across the globe, Manipal has professional courses in medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health, pharmacy, information sciences, engineering, management, mass communication, jewellery designing, hotel management and biotechnology.

With every batch admitted and with every new program introduced, Manipal intends to spread the seed of thought far and wide.

12 professional streams. 24 professional colleges. Over 150 courses with a presence in over 20 countries. Over 70,000 students in distance education.

•Manipal University, Manipal
•Sikkim Manipal University of Health, Medical & Technological Sciences, Sikkim
•Manipal College of Medical Science, Nepal
•MAHE-Manipal, Dubai campus
•Melaka Manipal Medical College, Malaysia
•Affiliated Programs

- KMCIC-AUA Twinning Program
- International Centre for Applied Sciences

About Vocational Education:

Manipal currently offers various comprehensive short term & long term industry relevant programs in IT, Telecom, Retail, Ethical Hacking, Media & Entertainment and Banking that enhance the skills of professionals in that field.

All these courses are delivered in association with industry leaders, and are facilitated by highly competent, industry-experienced faculty at Manipal’s state-of-the-art centres across 6 cities in India. Manipal has entered into strategic tie ups with Bharti, ICICI, IBM, Retail Academy and Appin Labs to facilitate industry endorsement and placements.

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This release was published on openPR.