1) Budding animators may build the much needed confidence by starting on small projects, demos and animation shorts (Pixar capitalised a lot on the later in their early days).

2) An annual forum where animators showcase their work will also help provide a medium for creative expression and an avenue for inspiration and relevant networking. True, a big company may contract their animation projects abroad, but some will not mind hosting an animation exhibition and in return, reap the positive publicity it will create.

3) Do some ‘free’ work for a noble cause. Donate your talent to meet a need either through a responsible NGO or some other means. You will get the exposure you need and also have cogent experience that will pay off in future.

None of these ideas sound palatable or easy. But some of us in other creative fields have employed them and received a measured success. If the passion and commitment is truely there, animators need not wait for the ‘money bags’ to discover them.

From the animation shorts posted in this article, I firmly believe the future is bright.

Nigerian animators up-to-date?
Yes!!!

I have met quite a couple of guys that can compete with international standard cos we get stufffsss from the net but sadly they are like me, with jus the nxt dough to browse as if we are yahoo yahoos.

I have sent demo-reels to some sites (abroad) and they are really intrested but i they always opt for resident animators.

This is something from the horse’s mouth. If you are ready to bail out Naija, my gist should give you what is on the mind of an average animator.

i do hit from time to time but its like nepa here in naija, very erratic.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But things are changing. I think one of our fellow animators recently landed a deal with HiTV. I’ll keep you posted if I get anymore news.

At our studio we are looking at other ways to bring Nigerian animation to the awareness of the general Nigerian public. To do that we are funding a series of shorts and are cutting out the ‘middleman’ and going direct to viewer online via our Youtube channel. Call it a sensitisation exercise of sorts. Also we want to find out what content might work best with Nigerian audiences.

Our first stab is already bearing good results. You can find it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcO04YNTsSs .

One of the problems facing Animation in Nigeria is the one man Thing, A on man who ca not be up to professional standard and believe that is the truth. I studied 3D animation at Cape Town and worked with a studio there for a while, Most animators there work work as a team there, you hardly find one person working alone on a project. When there is a project, studios bring in professional animators to come contribute to the success on the project. When you do not have exchange of ideas on a project, you end of providing substandard product and that only kills the 3D animation market in Nigeria.

There is the need to set up a forum or association for 3D and 2D animators in Nigeria. Am not sure there is one in Nigeria, I have been in country for some months now, training on 3D but am yet to come across a forum or association for this profession. If there is one in existence already, please do let me know.

There is need for animators in Nigeria to meet regularly to keep up with emerging trends in the industry and to also work on how to address the issues facing the growth of the Industry in Nigeria.

Lets empower ourselves more and stop our companies from taking our investments to other countries.