Toonz to set up 3D Animation Academy

Toonz Animation India (TAI), which recently launched its 2D Animation Academy at Technopark in Thiruvanathapuram and the Animation School in Kolkata, is planning to start a full-fledged state-of-the-art 3D Animation Academy at its Technopark premises with the same standards provided in the academy's 2D sector.

The proposed academy will offer a six-month 3D animation course at a fee of Rs 60,000 payable in instalments.

Toonz chief operating officer (COO) P Jayakumar said, "The 3D academy will have an international and national faculty comprising of veterans from the animation industry and from within the company. Special 3D consultants from the industry will develop the course curriculum, which would comprise an intensive training in classical, 2D animation and 3D animation using the latest technologies and softwares."

Pointing out that the academy will take in 25 students in its first 3D batch, Jayakumar said, "The intake of the candidates will be based upon an aptitude test and interview. Toonz will use its industry linkages to provide placement assistance for successful candidates. Those selected and successfully graduating from the academy will have a lifetime chance of working along with award winning talent at Toonz and also will be involved in all the international and in-house projects."

The purpose of the Toonz academy is to provide the rapidly growing animation industry with creative and budding talents and thereby promote animation as a career in India, he added.

Claiming that Toonz is the industry leader in India and rated among the top 10 animation studios in the world, Jayakumar said, "Toonz occupies more than 10,000 square feet of space inside Technopark in Thiruvanathapuram. It is the most advanced studio to open in India since the country emerged as a potential player in the international animation industry."

With a staff of over 400 Indian and international artists, Toonz is the host of 'Week with the Masters'. Toonz is also a publisher of comic books and comic strips.

Toonz' own television series titled 'The Adventures of Tenali Raman' can be seen on TV screens throughout the region and its series on Hanuman titled 'Adventures of Hanuman' has moved to the pre-production stage.

Recently, Toonz improved its presence in Europe, Japan and Australia, by setting up its own offices in Tokyo, Brisbane and London.