FAQs

What is animation?

In Latin, 'Anima' means soul. Animation is all about giving soul to a character. It is about moving something which cannot move by itself. Time and space play a critical role in animation.

The object of animation could be a 2D 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

2D cel animation
Also known as traditional animation, 2D animation involves the creation of a high volume of separate drawings that define a sequence. These drawings are then traced with ink onto transparent celluloid sheets called cel, which are scanned and painted using a special application software. These cels are layered on top of each other to create a sequence. The sequence is later edited to synchronise the audio and video content. This technique is widely used in creating characters for animations and cartoon programmes. Did you know that a full-length feature film produced using cel animation often requires a million or more drawings to complete?

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 animator should have knowledge of:

• Drawing techniques
• Animation techniques
• Different styles of animation such as 2D and 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.

Career options

There are a wide variety of jobs available in the animation industry, some of which are as follows:

Designer, Audio & Video Specialist, Visualiser, Graphic Designer, Multimedia Author, Web Designer, Content Developer, Modeler, Texture Artist, Rigging Artist, 2D Animator, Lighting Artist, Rendering Artist, 3D Animator, Compositing Artist, Editor, Storyboard Artist, Character Animator, Effects Artist, In-between Artist, Image Editor, Multimedia Developer, Digital Post-Production Artist, Special Effects Artist, Programmer.

Multimedia careers

Multimedia is a seamless integration of multiple media elements like text, graphics, animation, video and audio coupled with the computer's interactive power. Animation is one of the components of multimedia. Literally, multimedia means 'multiple media' – that is, the use of more than one medium of communication. Interactive multimedia is often referred to as 'rich media'. Multimedia is used in fine arts, entertainment, commercial art, journalism, media, designing and software services. A multimedia specialist is expected to possess technical, analytical as well as creative skills. Some of the key career options within multimedia exist in:

Graphic designing

A graphic designer is responsible for the layout and presentation of different types of media (such as a poster, a package or a website), most likely with the use of a graphics software programme such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign. Elements used in graphic designing include photos, illustrations, shapes, colour, texture, et al. Graphic designers work on creating logos, websites, business cards, advertisements, brochures, hoardings, product packaging, posters, book designs, magazine and newspaper layouts, as well as a vast variety of other communication-related products. Graphic designers need to be creative and up-to-date with the latest trends in the field.

Web designing

A web designer creates web pages. Web designers use graphic design skills as also tools like Flash, HTML, CSS, etc. With the rapid expansion of the Internet, the demand for skilled web designers is on the upswing and this number is only set to rise in the coming years. The field offers tremendous scope for web designers with cutting-edge skills.

Print & Publishing

Graphic designers and multimedia specialists – especially those well-versed in softwares such as Adobe Photoshop, Coreldraw, Adobe Pagemaker, etc. – have a lot of scope in fields such as DeskTop Publishing (DTP), magazines, newspapers and other print media.

An art director oversees the overall 'look and feel' of the newspaper, magazine, brochure, etc. while a graphic designer uses technology and software to create the 'look' desired by the art director. A cartoonist has knowledge of softwares such as Coreldraw and Photoshop and has good imagination and drawing/ sketching skills. He is responsible for drawing caricatures or other original illustrations for the publication and for putting in colours and brushing up his work on a computer. A page layout artist is a person who can put together all the elements and fit it aesthetically on to the actual page. He or she is the executor who binds it all into a comprehensive whole.

Apart from these profiles, people with knowledge of animation and VFX technologies are required in a bunch of other industries. They are needed in virtual reality/ 3D modeling, e-learning, e-commerce, fashion design, interior design and architecture, jewellery designing, film set designing as well as for developing content for mobile phones.

Visual Effects (VFX)

Animation specialists also work with Visual Effects (VFX).

The main difference between animation and VFX is that, while animation is used for prolonged timespans, VFX is a very quick – yet impactful – bit of animation. Sometimes used for screen time of just a few seconds, VFX can be very prominent or not at all – depending on the way the director wants it.

Visual effects usually involve the integration of live-action footage with Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) or other elements (such as model work). Nearly every movie uses VFX to some extent. The Harry Potter films, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Golden Compass, etc. make extensive use of VFX to create realistic-looking fantastic scenarios. Did you know that Toy Story was the first-ever fully computer-generated feature film? In India, VFX has extensively been used in films like Chak De India, Don, Krish, Dhoom II, and Om Shanti Om (where actress Deepika Padukone is shown dancing with movie actors from the 1970s). Besides, Welcome and Saawariya are some recent releases that also used VFX to some extent. Television commercials too, often use VFX. Remember the 'cooling crystals' on Saif Ali Khan's toothbrush? Or the bright white teeth of the palace servants in the Happydent White ad? You have VFX to thank for those! Wish to work in VFX?

Why Creative Multimedia Academy?

• Creative Multimedia Academy is the pioneer in Animation and VFX education
• Global network of centres
• 26 Years of experience
• 2,60,000 professionals trained till date