MUMBAI: With the entertainment explosion taking place at such a rapid rate, the variety of multimedia tools available at the filmmakers disposable have also grown. Computer institute NIIT organised a seminar ‘Multimedia Reloaded’ in the Mumbai suburb of Vile Parle in the last week of May.

The event saw head honchos from the film and ad industry offer their views and experiences on the career options available to multimedia professionals. The specially invited guests at the seminar spoke about the changing trends in the Indian multimedia industry. They also made forecasts that Indian films would undergo a remarkable transformation with the help of increased usage of technology and multimedia tools. The insightful talks were interspersed with demos and displays of multimedia productions and special effects created by renowned artists.

The speakers included the director of the new film Jajantaram Mamantram Soumitra Ranade; actor Gulshan Grover and Euro RSCG creative group head Bapi Bit.

Nasscom estimates that of the outsourced IT-enabled services, computer graphics, character animation and data digitisation raked in about Rs 16 billion in 2001; and over 27,000 people were employed in these fields. Nasscom forecasts huge revenues from this segment of the entertainment industry. By 2008, the digital content development, animation and engineering and design industry would touch Rs 250 billion, employing about 300,000 people.

NIIT also announced the launch of a new training programme Maximedia. The institute claims that Maximedia is not just limited to delivering software knowledge, but extends into developing creative skills and practical techniques that form the very base of next generation multimedia.

According to a release, the Maximedia career programme offers specialisation in six areas based on the student's interest, ability and needs. This programme is preceded by a foundation programme. This aims at equipping students with a basic understanding of the concepts, tools, techniques and methods of working in various fields and elements involving multimedia.

These specialisations cover digital printing and publishing; digital web authouring; digital interactive multimedia; digital film animation; diploma in digital visual communication and advanced diploma in digital visual communication and animation.