Young Nepali 3D Animators

DINESH KARKI
KATHMANDU, March 2: Govindanarayan Jyapu, a professor, didn´t want his daughter to be an animation designer. But today he doesn´t regret Bhintuna´s choice.

"Initially I was not happy about the choice of my daughter to be working with cartoons and 3D animation because this was new for all of us," shared the professor with an old, preconceived mindset of making their children doctors and engineers.
Jyapu became fully convinced about Bhintuna´s working style and job after visiting the Incessant Rain Animation Studio (IRAS), a Nepal-based 3D animation outsourcing company for prominent Hollywood studios. And the new generation of Nepali youth who have grown up watching cartoons from these international studios can now be a part of their making.

Chief Executive Officer of IRAS Kiran Joshi denounced the myth that the older generation has toward animation and its career scope.

"Interest in cartoon movies makes children creative and teaches many things," said Joshi who worked as the head of Digital Production/Visual Effects Supervisor at Disney prior to establishing IRAS.

And at IRAS studio in Panipokhari, the examples are apparent. Animation enthusiasts, who come from different academic and professional backgrounds, share a common platform to display their creativity and hone their skills.

Anup Shakya´s parents wanted him to study business and so he did it. But his interest in art and painting never subdued.

"I studied business just for the certificate but art was the only thing where I could be rejoiced," said the 25-year-old Wotu resident.

Following his will and intense interest in graphic design, Shakya then decided to study at IRAS. Currently, he works as supervisor for final output in 3D products.

Sachin Joshi, a self-taught 3D animator who forcefully completed his education in management. But defying this parents´ will to see him as a doctor or businessman, he chose his field of interest. And today he is the lead artist in composition on effect.

Renuka Gurung also shared her story. The 23-year-old from Bhujung, Lamjung, also had difficulties in convincing her parents about steeping into this profession.

"My father was hesitant to send me into animation job because he did not think it had financial security," Gurung said. "But he is now happy with my performance and earning."

For Gurung, it all started with her diploma in animation. Once a fan of cartoons like Tom and Jerry and Donald Duck, Gurung is now is part of the animation IRAS creates. She works as the head of lighting department of 3D animation at IRAS.

Once cartoon fanatics and 3D animation lovers, the young breed have now become creators of such characters and have gone global successfully delivering the projects of studios like Walt Disney.

And their success is thriving. IRAS´s team of 85 animators is preparing to create Nepali character in the world of cartoon and 3D animation based on Nepali folklores and myths.

The young team at IRAS is happy at their achievement and all of them shared that their families are also happy of their accomplishments and their profession. It´s a field that has a good income too.

According to Kiran, in the West a 3D animator can earn up to US$60,000 per annum. And since Nepali animators are working for international clients through IRAS, the scope of income is good, he says.

Published on 2010-03-02 22:58:11