Animation

     Animation is among the most creative, inventive, adaptable and technical of artistic disciplines. It is a relatively young art form, and makes extensive use of modern technological methods and skills. A qualification in animation opens up an impressive range of career options in entertainment, education and the media. Not many people know that Ireland is one of the leading animation centres in the world. Even fewer realise that many episodes of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series were produced in Dublin. Animation combines drawing and sketching skills with story telling and filmmaking techniques. Animation careers require hard work, practice and a natural flair for art; anyone considering animation as a CAO choice should already have developed a considerable portfolio of work. For those with a genuine interest and talent, animation can be a tremendously interesting and fulfilling career option. Education There are a number of different animation courses within the CAO system, including options at honours degree, ordinary degree and higher-certificate levels. You can also start with a further education or PLC course and progress on to a degree. Admission depends on a combination of CAO points and a strong portfolio. Students in Animation study a range of subjects, including general art and drawing classes, art and animation theory, and specialised technical subjects. Subject titles include Drawing for Animation, Materials and Colour, Life Drawing, Animation Skills & Techniques and Art & Animation History. Most animation courses focus heavily on computer animation and IT. Students on these courses will take subjects like Computer Animation, Video & Audio Post-production and 3D Computer Modelling, and also undergo training in software packages such as 3D Studio Max, Flash and Photoshop. Many of the courses also include work experience placements with an animation company. Third-level students taking other courses such as Fine Art, Film Production or Graphic Design may also be able to study animation or a similar subject as part of their course. Options after Qualification An animation qualification can be used to pursue a career in a number of different media areas. The most famous animators work on films and TV shows, but animation graduates are also involved in illustration, graphic design, computer game development, interactive web sites, online training courses and web advertising. Some animation graduates choose to gain extra qualifications and training before entering the workforce. Professional animators may focus on one particular specialisation – examples include film, web design, storyboarding and scripting – and take a postgraduate training course in this particular area.   The Work Animators are artists. They draw a series of pictures – frames – to make a character or scene come to life by conveying personality, mood and emotion. A team of animators involves several people working together in different roles. Storyboard artists visualise written scripts by drawing out what each scene will look like on screen. Layout artists work on the technical aspects of an animation, including how and where shadows may fall, changes in colour and light, and the varying contrasts and textures. Animation assistants concentrate on colour and backgrounds, while animation directors oversee the entire animation process. Traditionally, all animation has been created by hand, which is a painstaking and time-consuming process. Today, a lot of animation is created using computer technology, which speeds things up considerably. CGI involves adding backgrounds and special effects to a scene. The traditional aspect of handmade animation remains intact with the process of stop-motion animation (Wallace & Gromit, for example), which involves using 3D models and making small changes to the models in each frame. Personal Qualities & Work Environment Animation is a popular career because it combines artistic flair, story telling and IT. Successful animators are creative and hardworking in equal measure. Animation is a collaborative process, so you need good teamwork and communication skills.   Most animators work in an office or studio. Animators can experience less job security than some other careers, with a schedule that can vary depending on the workload available. Some animators work full-time for one company, while others are hired on a project-by-project basis. Overtime and long hours may be required to meet production deadlines. You might find yourself working for a large Hollywood studio, or you might work in Irish animation companies, which tend to be on a smaller scale and focus on a number of areas such as film, TV, web and advertising. The Money People rarely choose a career in animation to become rich, although if you have the talent, determination and luck to get to the top, you will earn a high wage. Starting salaries are relatively low, but these rise with talent and experience.   Jargon Storyboard: A series of rough sketches or illustrations outlining a scene sequence CGI: Computer Generated Imagery, where a scene, character or effect in a film is creating using a computer Animation Cell: A transparent sheet upon which objects are drawn or painted for animation   Job Titles Animator Animation Assistant Animation Director Storyboard Artist Layout Artist Key or Lead Animator