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An Animated Choice

Animation is not just about fun and games. It could be a smart career move

OPPORTUNITIES GALORE Cartoons at hand

The wily grey tomcat and the smartest mouse in the world have sent both the young and old into peals of laughter. William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the creators of Tom and Jerry, are to be thanked for the hours of mirth they have provided to millions of viewers worldwide. Walt Disney did the same thing with his creations. And, you can do it too, provided, you have the right attitude. And you don't even have to be an artist.

At Framing Fingers Technologies Inc. (FFTI), an animation institute, you can learn the different aspects of producing a cartoon show — drawing, scene planning, characterisation, animation, audio synchronisation and packaging and production.

For the creative

Says G. C. Vikram Kumar of FFTI, "Everybody can learn. However, a creative mind learns faster and comes up with better products, because it has a lot to do with conceptualising a cartoon show."

His institute teaches animation from scratch. The three-month-long course includes human anatomy, pre-production work based on a project, illustrator (as a drawing tool) and Toon Boom (as an animation tool). At the end of the course, students will have to take up a project.

Once they complete the course successfully, animation studios across the country will recruit them, says Mr Kumar. "In fact, animation, particularly 2D, is fast picking up in the country," he says and points out that in the months to come there will be a demand for animators.

But there is stiff competition from South Korea and Philippines. These two countries have an edge over India as they possess a vast talented pool, and most of the animation projects are outsourced to them, says Mr Kumar.

At present India does not have the requisite human resources to take on the avalanche of projects outsourced, he says. "If only animation gets a thrust as part of the IT boom, then a number of projects, particularly those from Hollywood and the gaming industry, will land on India's door steps," he says.

FFTI is the first institute in Coimbatore specialising in teaching animation according to Mr Kumar who says that after Chennai, Coimbatore is the next hub of outsourcing in the State and his institute wants to be a trendsetter.

The course fee is Rs. 16,000 plus tax. sSo, for all those who dream of animating Harry Potter in his adventure can drop in at FFTI, First Floor, Sruthi Complex, Ramar Koil Street, Ramnagar, Coimbatore or call up 5380001 to find out more.

KARTHIK MADHAVAN

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