Education/training
Seneca exports its animation expertiseA ground-breaking computer animated film that earned an Oscar last year and shone the spotlight on Seneca College's 3D Animation program is being credited with setting the stage for a unique partnership with the largest film school in India. LINDA WHITE, Special to The Sun |
|
|
The Oscar-winning computer animated film Ryan set the stage for the partnership between Seneca and the largest film school in India.
A ground-breaking computer animated film that earned an Oscar last year and shone the spotlight on Seneca College's 3D Animation program is being credited with setting the stage for a unique partnership with the largest film school in India.
Beginning this summer, Seneca will run a two-year animation diploma program at the Whistling Woods International Campus at Film City in Mumbai. "Ryan set the stage for this partnership and others," says Mark Jones, program co-ordinator of the Animation Arts Centre at the Toronto college.
Ryan is an animated documentary produced by Copper Heart Entertainment and the National Film Board of Canada in association with Seneca College. It tells the "riches to rags" story of artist Ryan Larkin, whose life as a 1960s Canadian icon in the world of experimental animation was shattered by addiction, personal tragedy and homelessness.
With the help of students in Seneca's 3D animation program, renowned digital animator and Oscar-nominated director Chris Landreth told Larkin's story through interpretive animation and real-life studio clips. Seneca created a designated production suite equipped with eight high-powered workstations using the latest in 3D digital technology.
Today, Seneca is using its expertise and faculty to run the new animation program at Whistling Woods. "We will use the Seneca template of courses as the foundation for the program," Jones says. "These students come out of the program with not only the ability to develop their own style, but a whole series of styles that makes them marketable."
Credits attained will be transferable to Seneca in Canada. "If they meet qualifications, they have the opportunity to specialize in Toronto in areas like 3D animation or gaming," Jones says.
Canada's reputation as an animation leader has earned the respect of Whistling Woods chairman Subhash Ghai. "We believe that by drawing on this expertise, Indian students can learn the art of storytelling through animation and emerge as a major player in the animation world."
Animation is a rapidly-expanding industry. It's found everywhere, from medical applications to feature films and gaming. As 2D and 3D technology merge, students with skills in both disciplines will find their skill set in high demand.
The animation program is just one of numerous agreements Seneca has penned with schools in India. It also offers post-diploma programs there in international business, global logistics and bioinformatics. "We are working on more agreements in India and some in Dubai," says Wayne Norrison, vice-president of International and Business Development.
Seneca has been actively pursuing international partnerships for the past decade. "The college was in the business of attracting students from China and other countries," Norrison says. "We have students from 75 countries here. This seemed like a normal extension of what we were doing."
Overseas courses are taught either by Seneca teachers or instructors trained to deliver the program by Seneca. "These experiences can be good for professional development, such as our teachers who teach international business," says Nick Huang, who's responsible for Seneca programs in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Would you ever work for a social or charitable enterprise in the third sector?