The Indian gaming market is estimated to be worth $50 million by the end of 2005, with console and personal computer gaming accounting for $35 million and $15 million respectively. The gaming market is expected to go up to $336 million by 2009, according to an AC Nielsen survey.
Another Ernst and Young survey has projected an annual growth of 30 per cent for the Indian animation industry over the next 10 years.
This indicates a requirement of 10,000 animation professionals; the available trained manpower is only 3,000, said Arjun Jindal, managing partner of Ready to Go? Animate. To meet this demand, Jindal's venture has invested around Rs 4 crore to set up a state of the art animation training academy in Kolkata.
"The problem with a lot of animation studios and training academies is that, in their enthusiasm to teach state of the art animation software, they produce software professionals. The need of the hour is skilled animators who have a deep understanding of subtle human emotions that will help them seek an emotional response in the viewer," said Vincent Michael Edwards, dean of RTG Animate.
Edwards has worked as lead storyboard artist in the animated series of Spiderman, Men In Black, Godzilla and Jackie Chan Adventures among others.
The other international faculty members include Satya Murthy, who was earlier with Fire Fly Entertainment and involved in the making of animation and special effects blockbusters like The Scorpion King, Lord Of The Rings and Blade II.
Denis Deegan, the animation director of the institute, has worked with animator Richard Williams, creator of Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
The 8,000 sq ft institute batch will have 150 students; classes will commence at its Dargah Road campus from September 15.
The curriculum will combine modules from animation and film study schools and studios -- including the Vancouver Film School, CalArts, Disney and Dreamworkz Studios, Jindal said.
Edwards said that, in the first year, students would do a graduate diploma programme in animation fundamentals moving from two-dimensional to computer generated imaging.
The first-year course would cost Rs 1.7 lakh.