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EXCERPTS Contd...
Continuing Good Work
Toonz's client list included some of the biggest names in animation. In 2003, Toonz entered into a major co-production deal with Canada-based Vivatoon (Vivavision's animation division), France-based Toon Factory, and the UK-based Treehouse Productions to partly develop an animation series - Brady's Beasts.
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This series marked Toonz's major foray into the distribution of a product. While Toonz owned the rights to the series in Asia (including in India), Indigo secured the TV, video, non-theatric, publishing, and licensing rights in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Toonz entered into the co-production deal even though it knew that it would earn very low margins from the project. "We are biting the bullet on this one. We are producing it at less than we would normally. If we break even, I'll be very, very happy, but I think - as far as the cash we're getting from production - we probably won't even do that," said Dennis. Toonz agreed to the deal because it expected that the success of the venture would open up new opportunities for it in future...
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Challenges
Toonz was gradually expanding worldwide and was working on several prestigious contracts. However, the severe shortage of competent animators in India was a constraint to its growth. Part of the problem was that animation professionals were required to possess several characteristics - creativity, a good sense of color, ability to visualize scenes, a talent for acting, patience, etc. - which was difficult to find in one person...
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A Leap For Indian Animation
Hanuman, India's first full-length animated movie was released in October 2005. Belying the reservations expressed by many people who felt that the film would only appeal to a limited audience, it went on to become India's first successful animated movie with gross earnings, according to box office estimates, crossing the Rs. 150 million mark. Besides the content, the success of the film was attributed to effective pre-release marketing (promotion and merchandising), and wide distribution by PPC which also produced the movie... |
Outlook
The management of Toonz was optimistic about its prospects. Most global entertainment giants were satisfied with the quality of animation services provided by Indian companies, and were outsourcing many of their projects to India. 3D animation and special effects were also being outsourced to India.
Toonz believed that its deal with Marvel, one of the leading production houses in the world, would help it to win larger animation projects. The company also tried to keep up with the latest developments in animation technology. In April 2006, Toonz installed Harmony , a new animation software developed by Toon Boom which was expected to greatly improve the quality of its work...
Exhibits
Exhibit I: The Process Of Creating Animation
Exhibit II: Production Costs In Some Countries (For A 30 Minute Tv Animation Program In 2004)
Exhibit III: Toonz - Major Projects
Exhibit IV: Major Awards Won By Toonz
Exhibit V: A Still From The Adventures Of Tenali Raman
Exhibit VI: Business Models In The Animation Industry
Exhibit VII: Nasscom Recommendations To The Goi With Respect To Indian Animation
Exhibit VIII: Industry Associations Representing The Animation Sector In India
Exhibit IX: 'The Baby Hanuman'
Exhibit X: Top Ten Animated Movies
Exhibit XI: Some Insights Into The Animation Industry In India
Exhibit XII: Major Animation Studios
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