Special Correspondent
Demand for 30,000 professionals
One can earn 20,000
$ 1 per minute
Ample job opportunities in North America
VISAKHAPATNAM: The New Delhi-based Picasso Digital Media Private Limited is introducing a three-year degree programme – B.Sc. (Multimedia and Animation – Film and TV) in Visakhapatnam and Mumbai from next academic year (2008-09).
As the courses, including some certificate programmes lasting for a few weeks, received good response from the plus two passed students when they were introduced in Delhi last year and in Hyderabad last month, the institute plans to extend it to other cities, Picasso MD, A.B.R.P. Reddy, told media persons here on Saturday.
International exposure
The animation and gaming industry had a bright future in India as there was a demand for 30,000 animators though the industry had only 20,000 animators in India. A 3D animator could earn a minimum of 12,000 US dollars per minute of work from the present 2,000 US dollars being paid for 2D animators.
While the industry grew at eight percent worldwide in India the growth had already touched 25 percent, he said. Another advantage of this course, conducted in association with Centennial College of Canada and Punjab Technical University, was that the students get trained by the international faculty, get Canadian certificate for their programme, go for internship in an animation studio and get campus placements, he said.
Academic advisor of the college, Canada-based Philip Edward Alexy, known for his animations in Star Wars, Casper, Angela and Anaconda, said the programme was much cheaper in India (Rs.5 lakhs for three years) as in Canada it would cost about Rs.12 lakhs.
Another advantage of Indian students was that they were better in spoken and written English which could fetch market in North American animation industries when they gain experience, he added.
