ACR Staff
Our fine staff of contributors at Animation Career Review includes:
Shawn Harrell
Deanna Thompson
Jen Lampton
Brad Prescott, Founder
Animation Career Review Staff
Articles
New Zealand: Animation School Options
Is New Zealand a Good Place to Study Animation?
New Zealand is one of the most beautiful island countries on earth. This small nation of less than 5 million people attracts more than 3 million visitors annually. This contributes billions of dollars to the economy. Another booming area that might surprise you is the film industry. According to Stats New Zealand, total revenue in 2015 from all screen industry businesses here was $3.22 billion. Collectively, these businesses employ an impressive 14,200 people.
10 Best Student Film Festivals for Aspiring Animators
The animation world is extremely competitive, so it may feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle when it comes to getting your work in front of the right people. If you’re a student, well let’s just say it can be even tougher to get noticed. The industry will always be competitive, so it’s up to you to find ways to compete.
7 Animation Schools Under $10,000
Wouldn’t it be great if you could earn an animation degree for less than $10,000 a year? What if you were an out-of-state student and the cost was less than $15,000 a year? In the past, we’ve compiled lists that consist of some of America’s most affordable animation schools, the most expensive to least expensive animation schools, and more.
Africa’s Emerging Animation Scene
What is Africa's Emerging Animation Scene All About?
Africa might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about animation, but it soon might be. According to Eugene Ramirez of Zimbabwe-based YouNeek Studios, "South Africa has seen the emergence of some of the largest animation studios on the continent." Among them are Luma, STRIKA Entertainment, and Triggerfish Studios — "Africa’s answer to DreamWorks, Disney, and Pixar," says Forbes.
10 Top Animation Film Festivals Around the Globe
What are Some of the Top Animation Film Festivals Around the Globe?
If you’re passionate about getting exposure for your animated film, chances are you’ve already submitted to major film festivals such as Sundance, Cannes, Berlin, and Toronto. While there’s nothing wrong with aiming high right out of the gate, narrowing your focus to film festivals dedicated exclusively to animation will increase your chances of acceptance. Fortunately, opportunities for today’s animated filmmakers to get their masterworks in front of a captive audience are endless. You see, there are hundreds, if not thousands of animation film festivals and competitions around the world that welcome both first-timers and veterans with equal enthusiasm!
Most Expensive Animated Films Ever Made
You’re probably thinking there’s no way an animated film could cost as much as making a live action movie. After all, animated films don’t require building elaborate sets from the ground up, traveling with cast and crew to exotic countries, designing hundreds of intricate costumes, or hiring the highest paid actors in the world, right? Wrong! For every costly component of creating a live-action film, there’s a pricey one for animation too. And an animated film could take even longer to complete—even with talent working around the clock.
5 Cool Animation Careers That Command Higher Salaries
Animation is one of the most exciting career fields in the art and design industry. It also offers one of the highest salaries. Animators earned a median annual wage of $63,970 in 2015, with top earners averaging more than $113,600. Certain industries, specialized areas or high-level positions could pay even more than the median. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists software publishers and other information services among the top five highest paying industries for animators. Average earnings are $76,920 and $82,940, respectively.
10 International Animation Schools You Should Know About
What are Some of the Top International Animation Schools?
The size of the global animation industry was $244 billion in 2015. Major contributors are the U.S., UK, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, and Korea. Besides being home so some of the world’s largest animation studios, these countries are known for their exceptional art and design schools.
Animation Degree Spotlight: Electronic Art and Animation
Just about every degree program available offers the opportunity to enhance the degree by adding a minor, concentration or electives to match students’ career goals. For example, students interested in cinema and computer animation rather than traditional animation might choose a degree in Cinema Art and Science with a Concentration in Animation.
