Four PM on Thursday (few weeks ago) as the last student presentation got over, the realization gradually began to sink in.
The realization that one was in a Temple of Animation, where great focus, years of experience, zeal, and a conducive environment that helped seekers explore new horizons had resulted in a school 1000s of miles away from the parent shrine, but where the same fervor, attention and atmosphere continued.
As members of the jury reviewing the annual submissions (each with 9 exercises including films) of the 1st year students doing the Advanced Animation course, we were delighted to see the thoroughness and the comprehensive perspective and competence that DSK Supinfocom was honing in its students.
More than anything else, we were still overwhelmed by the fact that all the work we had seen was 1st year students, but a lot of it already was so professional in its preparation and execution, and still fresh, daring and experimental.
What was also delightful that we were seeing presentations which included experimental animation with emphasis on sound design as well, live action projects, research projects, 2D animation exercise films, sketching, lighting, compositing, modeling, visualization and above all film making, communication and story-telling.
Amongst the films and exercises that left us jaw dropped was one where dynamics and character animation were fused to create a character who was so gracefully animated that it instantly WOWED everyone and there were others including the Freak films and live action ones that delighted as well with close to 3/4th of all work presented being impressive.
Speaking about the approach at the school and sharing an overall picture, DSK Supinfocom‘s head of Animation Studies, Jerzy Kular shares: “We teach Animation in its three components: as an Art Form, where creativity and originality is encouraged, as a Technique, or rather a series of various techniques using diverse technologies, each having as aim to make images move on a screen, and finally as the Industry it has become, because the aim of most of our students is to make a career in the animation industry. Obviously, our program evolves along with the industry.
Instead of focusing only on software, we focus mainly on the fundamentals, those skills and perceptions which never change, no matter what technical and stylistic evolution comes with changing times.
Of course we teach how to use software, but we try to impart on the students the understanding of why and how and not only the basic functionalities. For us, software will always stay a tool like a pencil. What is important for us is methodology and esthetic development. Students must go through all the phases of graphic filmmaking from concept through pre-production, production, and team management, post-production, including color grading and sound design. We know full well that nobody can excel in every single specialty, yet it is important to be aware how everything fits together.
The final year is entirely consecrated to the diploma film. These films are made by groups of 3 to 4 students and are presented in front of a much bigger international jury than the one you were a part of. The jury members judge the students‘ work and decide if they have a sufficient level to be full-fledged professionals of the animation community. This also means that they are ready to offer them employment.”
” For me, animation is passion plus creative freedom, plus discipline and method. It is the most fabulous media for communication of ideas, as well as for entertainment.” he adds.
DSK‘s Satyajeet Kumar shared that all their students were doing their internship at Technicolor, Crest Communication and Anibrain as well as other major studios
Umesh Tashildar, CEO DSK Supinfocom says “Supinfocom France has been teaching this program for the last 22 years, with considerable success since Supinfocom graduates are working in all the most prominent studios all over the world. Two years ago the Supinfocom Group which depends on the Chamber of Commerce of North of France entered into this joint venture with the DS Kulkarni Group in Pune. This is the only school in the world outside of France which dispenses a French Level 1 certificate (equivalent to a 5 year engineering degree) and which is recognized in the profession world-wide.” he adds.
Another thing that one anticipates, and urges is the creation of a healthy ecosystem where sharing of knowledge, experience and co involvement is created between the few Indian schools that have a similar intent and effort of raising the bar exponentially higher. The idea being: to boost and nurture the Indian Animation Industry.