An in-depth Study on the Animation Industry - Philippine Institute for ...

Agassi commercial and created a 2.3 million polygon model of the Titanic, parts of
which were used <strong>in</strong> the movie.
Except for Hash, a much-loved character animation program, Lightwave, cost<strong>in</strong>g
around $1,000, is the least expensive 3D animation and effects package. It also runs on
more platforms than any other, hav<strong>in</strong>g recently added Sun to a list that <strong>in</strong>cludes NT,
Mac, DEC Alpha, and SGI workstations.
Also popular <strong>in</strong> broadcast is Electric Image, however, the promised model<strong>in</strong>g
component has not yet been shipped, nor has the version for NT. Although considerably
more expensive than Lightwave, Electric Image also has loyal supporters. Matt
Hoffman, director of product development, says that <strong>in</strong> addition to be<strong>in</strong>g used for
broadcast, a major film studio is us<strong>in</strong>g the Mac<strong>in</strong>tosh-based animation and render<strong>in</strong>g
software to previsualize an upcom<strong>in</strong>g science-fiction movie. The company also plans to
create a new architecture that will open the software, which now only offers people an
SDK for creat<strong>in</strong>g plug-<strong>in</strong>s.
1.4 Japanese <strong>An</strong>ime
<strong>An</strong>ime is the slang for Japanese <strong>An</strong>imation. It is def<strong>in</strong>ed as art of Japanese
cartoons. It is dist<strong>in</strong>guishable via certa<strong>in</strong> characteristics <strong>in</strong> art, such as enhancement of
physical features. For example, large eyes, big mouths, and funkily drawn hair. As
mentioned, anime refers to Japanese cartoons, although the term was orig<strong>in</strong>ally
borrowed from the French word animation. Japanese animations are often based on
Japanese comics known as Manga. The term “Manga” was created by Japanese artist
Holuai <strong>in</strong> 1915 which means “irresponsible pictures.”
Most comic books <strong>in</strong> other cultures are geared towards children, and those that
are suited for mature audiences tend to be considered “off the beaten path.” In Japan,
comic books are <strong>in</strong>tended for all audiences much the same as a novel. The very first
anime started with “Astroboy” way back <strong>in</strong> the 1960’s.
<strong>An</strong>ime can be best dist<strong>in</strong>guished through the artwork. Though many traditional
animation fans see Disney as the p<strong>in</strong>nacle of animation achievement, anime tends to
concentrate on a higher level of detail <strong>in</strong> the artwork rather than fluidity of motion.
The term <strong>An</strong>ime refers to a dist<strong>in</strong>ctive tradition of Japanese animation that is
almost immediately recognizable by its superior artistic quality as well as by the
somewhat mannered artistic conventions anime artists employ, such as the preference
for child-like, large eyes. But it is not just the art that grabs one’s attention.
<strong>An</strong>ime also provides a w<strong>in</strong>dow <strong>in</strong>to another culture. In ways that many anime
fans scarcely guess, anime draws strongly from Japanese and wider Asian mythology
and symbolism generally, and specifically, from the rich Japanese traditions of Sh<strong>in</strong>to,
the martial arts, and Zen.
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