Expert: Russell Calabrese - 3/13/2008

Question
sir

i have just completed my high school and in college i will opt for engineering courses. i have keen interest in taking animation as a carrier. i am good in sketching drawing, specially cartoons. some people say it is a risky carrier, so don't opt for it. is it? what is the scope of animation in India? i would leave engg if there is a bright chance for me to excel in animation.

thanks

Answer
Hello Nitya,

Animation is a risky career but, if you really want to do it you have to try. Make sure you have something else as a backup plan in case it doesn't work out professionally. You can always make animation your hobby. I was lucky and worked very hard and made a career of animation but there are times I'm out of work for months and it gets very scary financially.
A lot of work in animation is being produced in India right now and is growing business there. There are shows that some of my friends work on here in the USA that are also being worked on in India, too.

Competing for an engineering job can be just as difficult as job hunting in the arts. You have to try to be the best there is at anything you want to do for a career. It sure feels a lot better going to work at something you love to do. I take that risk every time a job ends but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I hope this is helpful.

Russell