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Speaking to indiantelevision.com, one of the panelists, Mike
Milne from the UK-based Framestore CFC's confirmed the trend
by saying: "There are two major segments which will fuel
growth in the animation sector across the globe - TV animation
shows and fantasy films. TV programming executives have started
taking computer animation and special effects on television
seriously. There is a huge future in creating documentaries
with computer-aided graphics and animation."
Milne points out that the pitch for the same started nearly
12-14 years ago when the US-based Hallmark channel approached
UK's animation experts for a TV series with special effects,
it set off a major trend a decade ago. Thus was born "Gullivers
Travels" - the six hour TV series which became immensely popular.
The series was shown in three parts and climbed peaks of popularity.
"After Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park movie
series became a global blockbuster, a British TV producer
wanted to do a series on dinosaurs for television. When he
approached Hollywood experts, they quoted a phenomenal rate
of $ 10,000 per second. Framestore CFC accepted the challenge
of realising his dream and we ended up charging the producer
$ 500 per second for the TV series."
Milne adds that the challenge is to ensure the same quality
as one sees in feature films. The animation and special effects
had to look as if it was the real thing. "The success
of this TV series made for BBC spawned off a series of TV
documentary films and series. Currently, BBC airs programmes
such as BBC Natural History, BBC Specialist Factual, BBC
Horizon amongst others. Eminent personalities such as
Sam Neill have been hosting such shows," Milne adds.
Milne also states that other emerging sector is the genre
of fantasy telefilm series for children and adults on the
lines of movies such as Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!. In
the developed nations, TV producers have already started special
TV series based on the world of dreams and fantasies.
"The challenge is ensure that technology is leveraged
effectively so that the special effects don't seem unreal.
The key is to blend them into the story-line seamlessly,"
says Milne.
Experts present at the seminar also agreed that India has
to explore various options and move up the chain from comics
to C&S TV animation shows to Home Videos animation shows to
animation films. Simultaneously, the key is to ensure that
animation is used in education, infotainment and entertainment.
Increased domestic consumption can fuel growth for the Indian
animation industry.
The western world has already embarked upon the path. Are
the Indian TV producers and channel heads listening?
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