Global Animation Industry Update
U.S. Animation Studios: Big and Profitable… for Now
The big U.S. animation studios are still doing well. Happy Feet grossed a staggering $150 million as of mid-December 2006. Studios like Dreamworks continue to grow at record pace. The target price for Dreamworks Animation Studios shares was raised a whopping $6 from $31 to $37 in December 2006. As animation studios grow and try to maintain the popularity of computer animation, many are questioning how long this trend can last.
India Strong and Career-Friendly
Animation outsourcing is still a large scale industry in India. With plenty of work available for freelance animators, India had become a fertile place for animation careers. In addition to supporting larger, more profitable animation studios in western countries, India is also starting to develop its own studio ventures.
To support this trend, animation schools and partnerships have been popping up over the past few years in a country known for building an economy by supporting other countries.
Animation Basics Add to China’s Growth
Chinese animation studios have seen an increased output of animation over the past few years. Recently, many western animators have started doing work for Chinese animation studios. Industry experts have said that there is nothing fancy about what China is doing, that these animation studios have studied the basic concepts and have gotten comfortable producing good animation.
Animation has become a truly global industry, with freelance animators all over the world. Without a doubt, it’s an exciting time to start an animation career.
