Career as an Animator

The Lowdown

An animator creates characters and makes them interact in an ever-changing, exciting backdrop. From entertainment, education to simulators for military flight or combat training, animators work in a wide range of sectors. 3D animators give flat narrative storylines a realistic or fantastic turn by using specific software. They can join a company, freelance and become entrepreneurs

Clock Work

Animators work in shifts. The first shift is from 6 am to 2 pm, the second from 2 pm to 10 pm, and the third from 10 pm to 6 am. But while working on a project, one forgets to keep a tab on time. A typical morning shift goes like this:

4.30 am: Wake up

6 am: Reach office and get started

10 am: Show first draft of the project, which can range from a sketch to a character animation, to the supervisor

11.30 am: Take a meal break

1 pm: Make changes to the project and hand it over to the supervisor

2 pm: Wrap up and leave for the day

The Payoff

In the beginning, an animator can earn Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 a month. After two-three years, this usually goes up to Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 a month or more.

You can earn good money if you open your own firm.

Skills/Traits

• Loads of imagination coupled with a love for cartoons
• Ability to think and create new characters
• A good sense of colour, proportion and size

Getting There?

No specific academic qualification needed. If you are good at sketching and have a passion for animation, you can enter the field after taking a degree or diploma in animation

The minimum qualification required for these courses is Class 12 or equivalent. It helps if you have an arts background. However, at the Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, only graduates of architecture, technology and engineering, and fine arts can apply for the PG course

Institutes

• Birla Institute of Technology, Noida, www.bitmesra.ac.in
• Industrial Design Centre, Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, www.idc.iitb.ac.in
• Arena Animation, multiple cities, www.arena-multimedia.com
• Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, multiple cities www.maacindia.com
• Toonz Academy, multiple cities, www.toonzacademy.com

Pros And Cons

• You get to give free rein to your imagination
• The characters you create can leave an indelible mark on the audience
• Work on projects with tight deadlines
• Long working hours can take their toll on your health, if you don't take enough rest
• The studying never stops, as you have to keep yourself abreast of latest softwares hitting the market

 

Source: HT Horizons

Date: 25th February, 2011

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