Animation and VFX – How the Industry Grew During COVID-19

If there is one field that was not stalled and has instead grown amidst the effects of the pandemic it is animation and the VFX. Everyone from movie makers to the game developers have focussed on VFX and animation to bring out cutting-edge technological experiences to consumers during the troubled times. One of the prime reasons why VFX has gained momentum is the fact that shooting was not allowed to take place during the lockdown because of the restrictions imposed. The government of India had set strong laws discouraging the film makers from shooting during the pandemic.

So how animation and VFX came out as a solution during the pandemic? What are the various possibilities that were explored? Let us find out.

Game Development Companies Aided Filmmakers’ Ambitions

Unreal Engine and Unity Technologies are two of the many companies that have allowed ambitious filmmakers to continue with their dream projects during COVID-19. The advanced technology used by these game development companies have ensured that there is no green screen required for movie production. The readymade environments created by the two companies has been able to take the movie watching experience to all new levels. The backgrounds produced by these leading gaming companies have already been used in top films such as the Lion King and the Black Panther.

The best part of using readymade backgrounds is that, in traditional films, first the scene is shot and then the background is created and lighting adjustment has to be made when creating the background. With the backgrounds readily provided by gaming companies, the production team simply has to work towards the lighting part during the shooting in order to match the background. Experts say that this also reduces the cost of production since there are not as many shots required.

It is also noted that there is crunch for talent requirement in the industry of gaming which can affect the production. The companies are also working towards developing a qualified talent pool in order to support the production. With the knowledge of virtual tools, students will be ready to take on the challenges of the game development or digital filmmaking world.

Growth in Production of Animated Content during COVID – 19

The lockdown situation that resulted from COVID-19 naturally led to a surge in number of subscribers to OTT platforms. The entertainment industry was at the advantage because of the COVID-19 situation. As far as production of new content is concerned, animation was one industry which witnessed growth in demand.

According to one estimate by Broadcast Audience Research Council there was a 39% growth in consumption of children’s content during the lockdown. Some channels such as the Zee 5 Kids witnessed growth of 200% in viewership during the lockdown. Others such as the VOOT saw increase of about 700% in viewership.

In many ways, the pandemic has shown that the animated content can be used for betterment of human kind.

Drive Emotional Development and Morality

One of the core areas of improvement for children has been related to emotional development and morality. Animated content has played a significant role in ensuring that both the emotional and moral standards of children have been in-tact. Thought not the best replacement for real world interactions, animated cartoons have been successful in inculcating the best practices.

As a Mode of Education

While the teachers are away from schools, it is the animated content that has helped train children during the period of the pandemic. Through rhymes, stories, puzzles, physical exercises and various other concepts, educational videos have been successful in keeping children engaged with learning during the lockdown.

Improving Screen Experience

The fact that children are spending more time watching cartoons has also created a wonderful opportunity for companies to focus on improving screen experience. With rise in demand, companies are now focussing on usage of better technological tools to produce better content taking the cartoon watching experience to new heights and exploring various platforms to reach out to children.

Career in Animation and VFX – How to Start?

In India, there are many courses that provide Animation education to aspiring digital artists. For an individual who wants to pursue animation after class 12, there are B.Sc animation and VFX programs and BFA animation and VFX programs offered across various universities in India. Students who are willing to get into the domain must check for various factors when looking for animation and multimedia colleges in India. The availability of labs with advanced animation tools, the qualification of faculty, industry-relevant curriculum and projects can all play a major role in developing the skills and knowledge in students.

Students who have studied Science or Commerce or Arts at 10+2 level or students who have completed their diploma programs are also eligible for animation degree programs. The programs are mostly for 3 years and 6 semesters while some of them may go up to 4 years. Students normally get to learn about 2D and 3D animation storytelling, cinematography, compositing, character design and motion graphics during the course.