The Higher Education Review

Interest for learning animation and visual effects among today's Indian youth is increasing after an impressive display of work by Indian animators in 2.0 and the Baahubali series. However, the shortage of quality education imparters is affecting the Indian animation industry. Only a few animation institutions that exist are producing quality animation professionals. Founded in 2004 by an ace actor, Lt. Col. (Hon) Dr. Mohanlal, a Padma Bhushan recipient, Vismayasmax Animation Studio (VAS) is bringing people to achieve greater positions in the contemporary scenarios of media and entertainment industry, especially in the field of mighty animation and visual effects.

Emphasizing on Theoretical Learning, Practical Skill Development and Ultimate Digital Acts
Every year, more than 2000 youngsters utilize the opportunity to collaborate with VAS and learn in a systematic environment and study the unique disciplines of animation and VFX industry. "Our hand-picked professionals of the country use the same techniques and tools that are used in the global platforms and are needed in a contemporary workspace. Using high-end software and core digital equipment, students from every discipline learn to create their own films and digital stories, characters, layouts and all other elements related to the very promising field of animation and visual effects. The students learn the art of filmmaking, Principles of 2d Classical Animation, Stop Motion Animation, Graphic Design, Digital 3D Animation, Visual Effects and essentials of compositing and editing along with deliberate language studies. Simply because of this, powerful MNC's and industry people refer VAS as the "Realistic Training Centre for Film, Animation, Graphic Design and Visual Effects Studies"," says, K D Shybu

Mundackal, Director, VAS.

"VAS is on a strong path to shape talented youngsters for enhancing their career possibilities in the most promising animation and visual effects companies"

VAS also offers dual degree B.Sc. certification courses on animation and visual effects, level III and level IV graduation equivalent certification of media and entertainment sector of NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation) which competes for the International Standards of Media Industry in a single discipline of animation and visual effects. Because of its unparallel animation education culture, VAS has been considered as one of the best animation schools in India and received 'COE' award from NSDC that is usually given to ten centers in the entire region of Indian Visual Communication education sector. "This has been possible as VAS has more than 100 hand-picked faculties, most of which are postgraduates and have extensive industry experience," elucidates Mundackal.

VAS encourages the students to follow the path set by legendary Richard William and regards his book 'Animators Survival Kit' as the bible for classrooms. The faculty members always tell the students to read amazing texts like Cartoon Animation (Preston Blair), Mice and Magic, Shamus Culhane's Script to Scene, Paper Dreams, Vilpu's Drawing Manual, Timing for Animation, Poetics, Natyasasthra and off course Walt Disney's 'Illusion of Life'. Alongside offering holistic pedagogy, VAS creates a culture of philosophical foundation for the students to turn them as vibrant technocrats. "We have more than three huge digital labs with 70 inch double monitors, i5&i7 computers, and black magic URSA cameras for overall technical skill development of the students. We have our own preview theatre, gents and ladies hostels, playgrounds, well-maintained pantry services and all the classrooms are air-conditioned and soundproof," states Mundackal.

Industrial Collaborations for Practical Work Exposure
VAS has its own production

studio which is guided by great chairmanship of legendary actor Mohanlal. The animation learning studio also has strong tie-ups with the South Indian Film industry through which students get frequent chances of visiting celebrated Technopark and the famous Chithanjali Studios. "VAS also has South India's one of the biggest video par. In a 50 acre land, a vast Film production Studio and Video Park of Thiruvananthapuram is situated with facilities like Dolby Atmos, underwater shooting range and high-end editing suites," delineates Mundackal.

Even before the completion of final year's education, VAS students get placement in reputed firms like Toonz Animations India, Dataquest, Technicolor, Red Chillies, and various television channels, advertising agencies, and a huge number of small studios. Describing the placement days, Mundackal asserts, "One of our students is placed in celebrated studio Toonz Animations as a key animation director; at the same time another one is placed as the academic head of the same studio. The supervisors working at Dataquest and Technicolor completed training at VAS." Mundackal says that alongside holistic pedagogy, participation by students in various music clubs, theatre clubs, film clubs, and social media clubs is responsible for this much success. "The most celebrated music program of Kerala, "Nauka" is conducted by our music club every year and the theatre club conducts theatre workshops with legendary theatre personalities. The exciting part is that this year we are planning to release our own college magazine, 'Camambert'," states Mundackal.

Having already signed an MoU for cultural integration with Alliance Francaise DE Trivandrum to exchange activities, VAS is on a strong path to shape talented youngsters for enhancing their career possibilities in the most promising animation and visual effects companies. "We are planning to do a huge canvas of visual effects oriented feature film to show the maximum capability of our trainees and we are expecting the world premiere in the year of 2021," concludes Mundackal.