In what is a first for the country, Bangalore based Toonskool has announced a 3 yr diploma course in animation engineering in association with NITTE Bangalore. The course begins 8 November.

The 3 year course is divided into 6 semesters and is a full time regular course
with timings that match the college model. The fees for the course are Rs80,000/ P.A. while the total number of seats available is 100 divided into 3 batches (33 each).

The first batch begins on 8 November and to begin with, 2 fulltime lecturers and 2 lab assistants will work on the program. The next phase will involve the addition of 4 more members to the faculty.

Toonskool is also looking at niche segments like the application of animation in Medical research and study, engineering, architecture and marketing (Corporate A/Vs). To tap these, the institute has started 4 month courses which it calls Assist Programs.

Commenting on the 3 year course, Toonskool marketing head Nishith Bhandarkar told Animation 'xpress," There is a lot of production work coming India's way but the acute shortage of animators is a big problem. Short term courses are not the solution to come up with industry ready animators. In keeping with our commitment to provide the industry with complete animators, we have taken the initiative of starting the first 3 year diploma course in animation engineering in association with Bangalore's NITTE. The course shall operate on the NITTE premises"

"The 3 years of the course are divided into 6 semesters. The course starts with a foundation program on hand art and drawing and ends with the student film. VFX is also part of the course. The uniqueness of the 3-year course is, it carries a 4 month internship program with major studios in India"added Nishith.

Next, drawing attention to the assist programs Nishith elaborated, "There will be 4 assist programs and we expect around 30 students per program. There is a gradual amount of increase in the usage of animation in fields like medicine, engineering, architecture and marketing. We expect a spurt in the coming years and are expecting a positive response to these programs"