ANIMATION COMPANY AIMS HIGH

Another Indian company is taking a shot at the animation market. Toonz Animation India, headed by Bill Dennis, is setting up a state-of-the-art animation studio in Thiruvanthapuram's (south India) Electronics Technology Park. The facility - which is to initially open in August - will cover 10,000 sq ft and expand to 20,000 sq feet a year and a half down the line. It will house a full digital ink and paint suite with 20 seats and a range of animation software.

The company has already got an assignment to produce commercials for Cartoon Network. This apart it will be producing original programming based on Indian folk tales. Four pilots are to be produced in year one. The studio will employ 150 artists when it starts.