M.R. Balakrishna is a familiar personality in the Indian Animation industry and Vice President of ABAI. With over a decade of experience in the field of animation production, M.R. Balakrishna has now taken up an additional role- as a Mentor at Endurance, a Digital Art and Animation Academy in Bangalore.
This institute is one of the first Digital Art and Animation Academy in the country who identifies the talent of young artists and offers suitable courses in animation & visual effects at an affordable price or free of cost for those who belong to minority community such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis and Jains whose family income is less than Rs.3 lacs per annum.
Talking to Animationxpress’ Ishpreet Chandock about the institution, its setup and his role as a mentor in the institute, M.R. Balakrishna- Mentor at Endurance Digital Art & Animation Academy said,” The Growth opportunities in the field of Animation, Visual Effect are significantly high and the need to prepare the students to meet the needs of the Industry that exist are a priority .The creative talent suitable for Animation, Visual Effects are there adequate to meet the needs of the Industry and the State Of Karnataka is known for its Artistic Heritage.”
“Bangalore being the growing hub for Animation & VFX production activities in Karnataka and it is supported by the Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka, the Academy is started in Bangalore. However, plans are there to start similar activities in other parts of Karnataka also considering the large talent pool available.”
“As regards to Education Philosophy, the courses that are offered are affordable and industry integrated wherein the professionals from production segment are involved in the process of skill development. For the deserving students from Minority Community such as Muslims, Christians, Jains and Sikhs the entire course fee is paid by the Directorate of Minority Commission, Govt of Karnataka.”
Elaborating more on the teaching methodologies he said.”A student is selected for a specific stream such as 2D Animation, 3D Animation or VFX & Film Editing. The duration of the training is for a period of 6 Months which involves Trainers from the reputed and established production studios. Thus, the methodology designed is focused to orient the students with project development and its management which enables them to be job ready professionals.
“The Institutes’s Lab is adequately equipped with latest technology tools and equipments and has a capacity to train about 120 students in a period of six months. The Institute also has latest equipments for handling interactive sessions.
The academy is ready to start operation and geared up to offer about 120 job ready professionals in a period of 6 – 8 months.”
“An entrance examination is mandatory and the eligibility is 10th standard pass. A team of well qualified and well experienced faculties would be handling the program. However experts from the industry would also be interacting with the students during the program” he added.
“Our main aim is to prepare and offer job ready professionals with right kind of talents to the industry as the courses offered are at an affordable price/free of cost as well at a reasonably short duration. The potential growth opportunity in animation, visual effects can be tapped only with adequate training and education to those identified talented youngsters with high degree of creativity. Offering customised courses at an affordable rate/ free of cost to deserving candidates meets the needs of many domestic production studios.”
“With a decade of experience in animation production the growth opportunities are amazing as well as challenging to develop the required skill sets”
“Nurturing the one’s own creativity, dedicated work with high degree of involvement and precision, creating contents according to the perspective of the clients paves the way for a successful career.”he concluded.
According to Mr.Mohd.Waseem, CEO, the next batch will be commencing on the 27th August 2012 offering diploma courses 2D Specialization, 3d Specialization , VFX and Film Editing specialization.