In Latin, ‘Anima’ means soul. Animation is all about giving soul to a character. It is about moving something which cannot move itself. Time and space play a critical role in animation.
The object of animation could be a 3D painting, a clay statue, a picture of a person/ animal/ thing – just about anything at all.
Animation simulates movement through a series of pictures that have objects in slightly different positions.
How does animation work?
A simple theory known as persistence of vision offers an explanation. The Greek astronomer Ptolemy discovered this principle back in 130 AD. If images are flashed before the eye at a speed of at least ten frames per second, the brain thinks it is seeing a single moving image. The number of Frames Per Second (or FPS) directly correlates to how smooth the movement appears. If the frame rate is too slow, the motion will look awkward and jerky. If the frame rate is too high, the motion will blur.
Animation techniques
3D CGI animation
This technique makes extensive use of animation software programmes. 3D objects are constructed using curves or 2D geometric figures. Software programmes are used to modify the texture, light and colour of the object surface. Virtual cameras are used to zoom, focus, illuminate and resize the 3D objects. Important frames are developed to regulate the flow of intermediate frames. This technique is commonly used to create animation for television programmes, movies and online and console games.
3D motion capture animation
This process of creating 3D characters is similar to the 3D CGI animation technique; however, the techniques differ with respect to the time when the animation effects are introduced. To produce animation effects, sensors from a computer are attached physically to a human being.
These sensors help coordinate the real-time movements of the human actor with the movements of a computerised 3D character. This technique is widely used for low-resolution games, Internet characters, live TV performances and special effects for animated movies.
What does it take to be a complete animator?
A good 3D Animator should have knowledge of:
~ Drawing techniques
~ Animation techniques
~ Different styles of animation such as 3D animation
~ Design and layout
~ How people move and express their feelings
~ How animals move
~ How to create different moods and feelings in characters
~ Computers and animation software applications
~ The history of art and design
~ Film and television production
Besides, he or she also needs to:
~ Be artistic, creative and innovative
~ Be a good communicator
~ Have inclination for good music
~ Be able to ideate and conceptualise
~ Be focused, self-disciplined and self-motivated
~ Be able to use knowledge of the human body and how animals move to create animations
~ Be versatile and adaptable and able to accept criticism
~ Be able to work to a deadline
~ Be observant, with an eye for detail
~ Be able to work well in a team
~ Be able to understand the comic nature of cartoons
Animation careers
Animation is a booming industry with a wide variety of jobs available.
Industry overview
Animators can work on full-length animation movies, create television commercials, make DVDs, make games for Internet, mobile, PC or consoles (like PlayStation or XBox), work in the advertising industry. The e-learning industry also uses animators and so do fields like medicine, engineering and architecture.
The entertainment industry including movies, TV programmes and Special Effects (VFX) for movies or TV is a major employer.
A typical animated film requires 700 to 800 animators. Of the 30,000 animation studios around the world, 70 percent have a turnover of US $1 million.
India, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Japan and China are seeing a deluge of outsourced animation work from across the globe. Indian companies are creating a number of animated films and cartoons for US and European studios.
The latest NASSCOM statistics predict the size of the Indian animation industry to be US $1.5 billion by 2009. Currently, it is at US $550 million. India has over 300 animation studios employing over 12,000 animation professionals. In addition to outsourcing, content is being made for the Indian market as well. Films like Hanuman, Krishna, My Friend Ganesha, etc. have proved that animation can make huge profits at the box office.
Animation is a global industry with a large turnover (estimated at $59 billion in 2006) and a growing demand; this is causing a shortage of skilled people.
