There is no doubt that computer-animated films have become the dominant predator in the animation world in the last twenty years. Ever since its advent in the 1995 film Toy Story, audiences have grown attached to the added dimension that CGI animation provides; and it does give a greater sense of depth and realism to a creative vision, often making the impossible that much more believable. But is it this added dimension that has pushed hand drawn animation to a more kitsch part of the filmgoer’s mind?
Here is where studios like HopMotion Animation, founded by Anish Patel, continue to keep the long forgotten format of hand drawn classical animation still alive and kicking. It is a relatively new studio, but with its recent project for a leading GEC in the kitty, it certainly seems to have found its calling!
In an effort to bring 2D Animation back into reckoning and also encouraging the industry to voice their opinion as well as share their doubts (if any) of the survival/existence of 2D or classical animation in the near future, HopMotion Animation’s Hoppo has popped onto AnimationXpress.com as our ‘2D Animation Partner’.
“We love telling stories and the weapon of our choice is animation,” says Anish. “After graduating from film school in the US, I worked on various film and television projects as a writer and director, apart from also having worked closely with Shekhar Kapur on various live action and animation projects.”
Anish adds: “Having written various animation scripts (Including Kid Krrish) my co-writer Carmen Zainabadi and I decided to start our own studio with a focus on creating original content in the 2D animation space. And it’s been just one year now and look at where we have reached! So who says 2D animation is dead?”
With the idea to create original IPs, getting into full time animation TV series was a natural progression for this vibrant studio. Currently, apart from an international TV series for the Canadian market, the company is working on a very interesting show for the Indian market that should be on air early next year on a leading GEC channel.
AnimationXpress.com was also the first to break the news of Sphereorigins Multivision (creators of ‘Balika Vadhu’) joining hands with HopMotion Animation to create a animated series that’s currently under wraps.
Animation as a genre has been really struggling to find its way on Indian Television and according to Anish the reasons for that are many. “I would say mainly it’s the budgets and also the lack of focus on story,” he says. “Ironically, we have a great pool of talent in our country and in fact some of the best international animation work is being done in India. However, most studios thrive on outsourced work and understandably don’t want to invest in developing original content, which takes a very long time to monetise,” expounds Anish.
And adding to the woes of the Indian animation industry are the broadcasters, who for some reason have always been skeptical about signing on local/original animation films/serials for the kids’ genre.
“Most of them are not too keen in either investing in talent or creating ground-breaking content, as the market/demand for it seems limited. Indian TV channels also do not invest enough in acquiring or commissioning original local content and instead rely heavily on international content dubbed in local languages,” says a media analyst.
Though, Anish believes that there is an audience out there for good local/original content. The studio wants to continue focusing only on 2D animation and wants to create original properties for kids as well as teens and young adults across platforms.
HopMotion is also one of the few studios to house a full-fledged facility with a 40- seater ToonBoom Harmony setup in its studio. “Tools such as ToonBoom Harmony make it easier for animators from around the world to collaborate and create amazing animation,” reveals Anish. “This will only go onto help in making the quality of digital 2D animation better and better.”
AnimationXpress.com would like to congratulate HopMotion Animation on completing a year in this industry and wishes it the very best for the future. And as far as 2D animation’s future is concerned… well there are so many more possibilities yet to be unexplored in the medium; depths and complexities of character animation yet to be put to paper and illuminated where they were meant to be seen; the silver screen! So dream on…