The
huge growth in computer animation in games, advertisements
and Hollywood films such as Toy Story and
Antz has prompted Motherwell College to
set up a new course to attract young Scots into
the industry.
The Film, Animation, MultiMedia and Entertainment
(FAME) course, the first of its kind in Britain,
aims to provide artists and designers with a way
into the film and entertainment industry as well
as helping to end the current shortage of home
grown animators.
The foundation course will provide students with
a basic grounding in a variety of different skills
and will lead directly on to the college’s
existing HNC course in Filmcraft and Animation,
set up last year.
Helen Lawson, senior lecturer, said: "The animation
boom has opened up a wide spectrum of opportunities
for students.
"You cannot switch on the television or go to
the cinema without seeing computer animation at
work, and there are many youngsters who are working
away at 3D animation in their bedrooms, but colleges
have been slow to identify the needs that this
explosion has created both for designers and the
industry."
Mrs Lawson said companies set up to design animation
for games or films in Scotland were finding it
difficult to recruit young people and often had
to go further afield.
The course is being supported by animation companies
in the west of Scotland, one of which - Access
Animations from Glasgow - confirmed the difficulties
in recruiting locally.
Stewart Aitken, senior artist and co-founder of
the company, which has made videos for the Venga
Boys and adverts for Duracell, said: "We have
a very multi-cultural feel in the office because
we have recruited from overseas, but we would
much prefer it if we could help out the local
economy and recruit from Scotland."
"There is obviously talent there and it is would
be a real shame if it was lost."
This course will help bring through young talent
and help us in the process, particularly those
who are not from an art background."
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The
huge growth in computer animation in games, advertisements
and Hollywood films such as Toy Story and
Antz has prompted Motherwell College to
set up a new course to attract young Scots into
the industry. 