Computer Graphics World

Fast-forward to 2009. Given the eco- nomic meltdown that has hit the US and the rest of the world, Animation Mentor thought it was time to check back with the industry and see how studios, game pub- lishers, and independent productions were weathering the storm. According to veteran animator Rob Coleman, animated features have always been at the top of the list of the most suc- cessful films because they fall into all four quadrants of the most desired demograph- ics: young, old, male, and female. Because they appeal to the entire family, it's easier to sell more tickets to these types of films, he contends. Special effects films also tend to do well at the box office, and they require the services of animators, as well. Coleman notes that the downturn is definitely impacting the financing of new independent productions. e box office, however, is typically immune to economic downturns, so studios are still making movies (see Editor's Note, pg. 2). e ca- veat: ey will most likely go after safer bets and find ways to finance less expensive productions. According to Robin Linn, director of creative resources for Sony Pictures Image- works and in charge of recruiting anima- tion-school graduates, the studio is driven much more by production needs than by the economy. e facility is still hiring animators at the same rate as before and continuing to work on a full slate of pro- ductions. Unlike financial institutions or traditional corporate environments, studios are contract- and production-driven, he points out. erefore, the industry is con- stantly cycling as productions scale up and down at various studios, and contractors are hired and released as projects start and end. "Animators do animating because it is a calling, like acting. Actors don't expect to go to work every day at the same job for the rest of their life," says Linn. "ey au- dition for roles and work on movies. en, when the movie is over, they go work on another movie. at's how the animation business works, too." Past, Present, Future Research shows that after the stock market crash of 1929, movie attendance increased by 58 percent. John Fithian, president of the National Association of eatre Own- ers in America, was quoted in the October 16, 2008, issue of the Los Angeles Times as saying that in the past four decades, there have been seven recession years in this country, and the box office has climbed strongly in five of those years." If industry trends hold true, studios will continue to thrive and prosper in an eco- nomic recession. When asked about trends he could fore- see over the next six to 12 months, Linn responds that the studio is looking for a variety of talent. Upcoming productions will require both character animation and creature animation, in addition to other animation skills. "Do good work, be proactive, and con- tinue to follow up with all your contacts" were Linn's words of advice to new anima- tors who were entering the market. "We continue to hire talented people." n Kris Larson writes for AnimationMentor.com, an online education and mentorship program focused on character animation. nimation Mentor's "Special Report: Behind the Characters" (www.anima- tionmentor.com/report), completed in October 2008, portrays a rosy future for the animation industry. After all, the international box office had reached an all-time high of $26.7 billion in 2007, with more than half of the year's top-20 films either partially or fully animated. e game industry future also looked bright, with expectations that the worldwide gaming market would grow to $48.9 billion by 2011. May 2009 46 n n n n Recruitment

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