Expansion of the human resource pool is critical to the growth of the Indian animation industry and the positioning and perception of animation education and careers in the minds of Parents and students is key.
In 2005, the Ashwin Ajila promoted Toonskool launched a BSc degree in Animation recognised by the KSOU (Karnataka State Open University). The three year degree course was started simultaneously in Bangalore and Mumbai. And even as the first batch of students is expected to pass out in the coming year, Toonskool has gone ahead and tied up with colleges and institutes to further spread the availability of its Animation Degree course.
The new tie ups include ones with St Xaviers College in Kolkata, St Alberts College in Cochin and Academy of Animation & Gaming (AAG) in Delhi. The BSc Animation curriculum at these three centers will be provided by Toonskool which will also provide the faculty for the Cochin and Kolkata courses, while Delhi based AAG will draw upon the in house expertise of its experienced faculty to impart the teachings.
Speaking to AnimationXpress.com, Anand Kannan, Studio Head of Toonskool, shared, “In each of these places we found that there is a serious interest amongst the students to pursue a career in animation. Being one of the first players in the Industry to design and offer a degree programme, we took this conscious effort to tie up with the best names. Our aim is to have this programme running in some of the key places in India where students and our partners can get the maximum benefit.”
“Spanning six semesters in three years, the Toonskool course is a Script to Screen programme focusing on the various processes and techniques involved in creating animation. Students also have a chance to take up specialization and the course lays emphasis on the art and classical basis of animation without losing focus on the latest techniques involved” he added.
Academy of Animation & Gaming (AAG) CEO Ajay Joshi shared, “We are pleased to offer the Toonskool BSc course in Animation to our students as we believe that this course is focused on Animation and gives a wholesome base to the students, who can also opt for specialization. We understand that students need time to explore the art and find their own groove in animation, a three year course gives opportunity for the same.”
In order to apply for the full time degree programme in animation, the candidate should have completed higher secondary. Students who have completed the 10th grade and wish to be a part of the programme will be admitted as Diploma students and have the option of taking lateral entry, after consideration of their credit points. All the centres will begin the programme from mid August.
Apart, from the above alliances, Toonskool has already tied up with Thakur college, Sonawane college and St Xavier�s Institute of Communication in Mumbai where the one year advanced Diploma in 3D is already underway.