Acting for Animators is an important Art

By Ruchi Shrimali

We talk about growing opportunities in the field of animation and gaming. Every year, NASSCOM presents some rosy pictures about growing career opportunities in these fields in India. And yet, many young students, who dream to be the creative stars of cartoon movies or multimedia games find themselves disappointed with lack of jobs or the type of jobs they get in the market.

Ruchi Shrimali interviews Ed Hooks, a professional actor for more than 30 years who is known internationally as the author of 'Acting for Animators'.

Hooks has conducted masterclasses at most major studios and game companies worldwide, including Disney, DreamWorks, Sony, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Valve and Microsoft.  In India, he has been a featured speaker for ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation) - India chapter and has taught for Rhythm & Hues and several animation schools. He has also worked as a consultant for Makuta VFX, on the recently released movie 'Eagga'.

What do you think about animation scenario in India?

India is famously home to many immensely talented artists, particularly in dance, design and music. But when it comes to the art of animation, there isn’t a deep genealogy. This is primarily why the studios are better known for high-quality outsourced animation on projects that originate in the west. This is also the primary reason that India’s animators are so underpaid in comparison to their counterparts in the west.

“In order to change the status quo, animation must follow the path of other arts and find a creative center in India. That will not happen until the studios and animation schools collaborate on change. Right now, most of India’s animation training is centered on computer operation.”

We cannot blame the animation schools for it as they are simply responding to the market, and the studios are only hiring animators that are technically excellent at manipulating pixels. There is no market for really creative and innovative animators. There is a vicious cycle going and the situation will not improve quickly or easily. At the same time, there are golden opportunities for those individuals that are determined to change the marketplace.

How can acting help animators?

In my book 'Acting for Animators', I have mentioned that certain acting techniques are useful for animators, such as seven basic acting principles which are akin to 'navras' defined by India's classical art forms. Animators need to learn how to express happiness, anger, and romance. They do not need to learn how to emotionally stimulate oneself or about how to conduct oneself on stage, but the connection between feelings, emotions, and physical movements can be a good thing to learn for animators.

Animation artists should also learn the importance of empathy in acting and how to achieve it in animation. In short, acting for animation is about coaching the creative mind.

What advice do you have for animation studios, animation schools, and animation aspirants in India?

Let’s tackle it one by one:

For the studios

Studios should invest in development of India-based movies and television programs designed for the international market. If the country is to be recognized as a serious creative center, it cannot be limited to only Indian markets.

Bollywood live-action movies are profitable and popular with Indian audiences, but they do not travel well across cultures. Animation can follow Bollywood’s lead and wind up with the same exhibition scenario. The need is to develop India’s values and stories in ways that are accessible and entertaining to people who are not at all familiar with the Indian culture.

For the schools

Animation training needs to be broadened into two parallel tracks:

• The first track is the one that currently exists, oriented to computer operation, VFX, outsourcing. It still offers a lot of job opportunities for graduate students.
• The second track that can be followed is to train animation artists instead of technicians. Computer skills must be balanced with serious training in storytelling and film appreciation. India’s animation students must learn to speak the international language of film. It will be a challenge for schools to recruit qualified teachers. India’s current animation teachers are largely a product of the same training system that needs changing. You will need them as well as fresh talent.

For the animation students

If you want to be a true artist, the quest begins with you, not with a school. If you want to be a storyteller for the world, you must learn about the world. There is no such thing as a dumb good artist. Art is an expression of your personal values. You are a leader, a shaman who speaks to the tribe. For you, animation is not merely a fun thing to do; it is an honorable way to spend your life.

Follow current events. Learn what is going on in Russia, the US and China, and develop opinions about it. Make it your business to study philosophy and expand your horizons. Learn about the different religions of the world, study history - both ancient and modern. I am a student of evolutionary psychology, and I recommend it to you because it is all about how we humans act to survive.

“Educate yourself! Do not wait until the appropriate classes are offered in your school because that might not happen for a long time. You have a life to live, so get on with it.”

Watch movies. Read intelligent movie reviews. Learn about film aesthetics. Start watching movies as education as well as entertainment. You must learn the language of film. It requires an independent eye. Do not automatically assume that the movies coming out of Hollywood are good just because they sell a lot of tickets. Even Pixar makes movies that have weak story and flawed structure. Learn how to see the skeleton of a film. Learn how to tell stories with pictures and no words at all. Study how the masters of film do it. Read screenplays of classic movies. Many can be found online for free.

Learn about other art forms, such as dance and photography. Go to the ballet now and then, see an opera. Let the world know who you are and what you think. Wear it on your sleeve. You are a leader, and you will have to learn to think like one, like a true shaman.

Other interesting reads:

- Animation careers for people who can't draw

- "3D Animation and VFX offered me all that I loved"