Yes, that’s right, 3D and cartoon animation is now considered a technical chore and is being outsourced out of the USA: http://scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?id=32954. Its ironic that animation that is outsourced usually involves tweening (filling in the the in be-tween animations) and inking/shading/coloring of the structure that others provide. Anyhow, an interesting notion of the difference between defining structure and filling in the structure — you have to have both!
Next time you see me ask me about the 3D gang sign Greg Niemeyer and myself invented.
This isn’t a new development at all in the animation industry. As far back as the 80s and before, a lot of animation work was being outsourced to Japan, Korea, or Taiwan.
Inspector Gadget, for example, had the distinction of being a written in France and animated in Japan.
Right, I know this isn’t new. What is interesting is it is high profile. Also, it is interesting because of how art is taught by many institutions on an application-based level for very high dollar amounts.
It is interesting to me from an art-pedagogical standpoint to see this application/skill-based work being outsourced and the creative/conceptual work staying put in the USA.
“Its ironic that animation that is outsourced usually involves tweening”
I don’t get what the ironic bit is?
In fact, outsourcing of animation goes back even farther than the 80s, though with the advent of widespread (and cheap) fast internet there has been a vast increase in the number of projects sent overseas.
Seems mostly larger domestic companies have set up their own operations abroad so there is still a viable market for smaller producers looking to outsource. They are able to use the services of local reps such as the folks at outsourceanimation.com or animationoutsourcing.com who create alliances with excellent companies and establish smooth work flow to offer U.S. producers. They claim to represent only quality, proven, professional animation companies internationally and provide local accountability for meeting the budgetary, schedule, and quality standards expected from top animation firms, making outsourcing projects undeniably the most efficient means of producing animation.
Yes, I did not mention this previous outsourcing in my original post.
I’m highlighting this as somewhat fresh because of the interest in high-tech job outsourcing and how this is a parallel in the creative industry.
Beyond the production chores of inking and tweening, the interesting new twist is the outsourcing of the more conceptual tasks to production houses in Asia.
While living in Korea, I must say that my Korean friends are some of the best illustrators I have ever seen. And, not only could my friends do reality transfer, but also more imaginative illustrations of cartoons and figures.
It is amazing the infrastructure surrounding outsourcing with these websites you post about…amazing!