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Education

Huntington animation program keeping up with industry demand

New semester opens as opportunities surge

Posted 9/5/20

The growth of online streaming platforms has led to an undeniably strong surge in the animation world.

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Education

Huntington animation program keeping up with industry demand

New semester opens as opportunities surge

Posted

The growth of online streaming platforms has led to an undeniably strong surge in the animation world.

The industry took notice when Hulu in 2018 inked a multiyear deal with DreamWorks Animation to support the demand for animated programming, and it hasn’t slowed since.

Streaming networks are not only taking risks on animated shows oriented toward adults, they are producing a host of new cartoons for children to keep parents paying monthly subscriptions by getting their kids hooked on shows exclusive to their platforms, according to a Los Angeles Times report in 2018.

“Animation is a really core area,” Netflix vice president of kids and family content Melissa Cobb told the Times. “We have a lot of viewers throughout the world who are really loving animation.”

Consider also that in 2019, Netflix released more new original programs on its service in one year than the number of original series the entire U.S. television industry combined to release in 2005, according to data from Variety Insight. Adult animation was among the genres included in the analysis.

“There are more job opportunities available now,” Christian Washington, assistant professor of animation at Huntington University, 8385 W. Mariners Way, Peoria, explained Sept. 3. He added it’s “an exciting time to be an animator.”

“Having a social media presence is everything. Big studios like Disney and a lot of smaller companies are looking to hire animators to help build their brand. In addition to that with the growth of streaming networks ... if you pay close attention a lot of them are starting to invest in animated programming now. They’re realizing in a lot of ways it’s less expensive and there’s an audience for that today.”

Huntington opened its fall semester this past week, and has emphasized a return to safety-driven, in-person learning on the Peoria campus. After a spring semester that included full-online platforms during the coronavirus outbreak, the university spent the summer reconfiguring its building, adding plastic dividers at each animation workstation, and welcoming other CDC-approved protocols such as having students and staff wear masks while inside.

A bachelor of science degree in animation is among the four majors Huntington’s Digital Media Arts department offers.

While animation work is booming in Hollywood, gaming is adding to the surge. The total value of the global animation industry was $254 billion in 2017, and is projected to reach $270 billion this year, according to industry research at globenewswire.com.

“There is more money currently in gaming than there is currently in Hollywood,” said Mr. Washington, who is in his fourth year with Huntington. He joined the Peoria campus in 2018 after starting on the Indiana campus.

There’s a blend among students, he said, between those who come up through traditional artistic pursuits and those who start a path on technological software in an industry that relies on both.

“I don’t know if there is a perfect path for an artist,” he added. “For students who know they’re interested in art at an early age, I always recommend some introductory software; drawing software you can get on your computer or an iPad. But at the same time, I’ve got lots of students who have gone traditional their whole life, and it may be a slight learning curve to get into 3D or working digitally. But if the path is there, it’s amazing what an artist can accomplish when they decide that they want to do it.”