Talking about animation can be hard sometimes.

Although this is a fictional account, it’s based on actual conversations we’ve had with clients, friends and family. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

Timbuktoons:
Thanks for choosing us for your animation needs. We’re excited about starting your project!

Client:
Thanks! So, is this going to be like Toy Story?

Timbuktoons:
Not quite. That’s 3D, and we’re primarily a 2D animation studio.

Client:
Oh…so you can’t make stuff fly out at you? Cuz I really like that! I brought my glasses.

Timbuktoons:
I mean 3D animation versus 2D animation, you’re talking about Stereoscopic 3D.

Client:
3D stereo? Isn’t that called surround sound?

Timbuktoons:
No. Let me explain it this way. Toy Story is CG, as in computer generated. Anything that flies out at you is Stereoscopic 3D…where you wear 3D glasses to see it.

Client:
You mean your animation isn’t computer generated?

Timbuktoons:
Yes, it is. Let me try and explain it again, 3D animation is like moving sculptures and 2D animation is like moving drawings.

Client:
I want a cartoon, not sculptures and drawings.

Timbuktoons:
Ok, nevermind, I understand. You’re cartoon will be either hand-drawn…on the computer, or it’s stylized 2D graphics moving around on screen. Sometimes we’ll do 2D animation composited with a 3D camera. It’s known as 2.5D.

Client:
Ok, so you draw on your computer and think you can split dimensions. Sounds like a personal problem to me. I’m starting to wonder if part of my budget needs to go to your psychiatrist.

Timbuktoons:
Listen. You will like what we produce for you. It will make your wildest dreams come true. People will flock to see it.

Client:
Oh. So, it will be like Toy Story then. That’s exactly what I’ve been saying I want. Why are you confusing me with all that parallel dimension, stereo, and drawing on your hardware talk? I’m not into that string theory stuff.

Timbuktoons:
Sorry. Let’s get started then.

Client:
Great!

By month 2 we got our first digital desktop publishing system. It was called the Kodak KEEPS system. That all lead into getting our first Macs and learning Photoshop and Illustrator version 1.

Yes, I’m that old now….and feeling older after talking with an animator we hired last spring about the current revolution taking place.

I’m talking about the platform revolution, or the content delivery revolution that’s currently taking place. For several years it’s seemed like we’re on a flying trapese and we’ve let go of one swing only to fly thru the air waiting to grab the next one. With everyone scrambling to integrate TV, smart devices, internet, and game consoles, it seems we’re closer to settling on a few mainstay solutions.

Another revolution taking place simultaneously is the stereoscopic 3D revolution. More and more movie theaters are equipped for it, more movies are using it, and television manufacturers, broadcasters, and networks are all trying to get ahead of the curve.

So, if you are in the animation, motion graphics, or video production field or plan to be, read everything you can to prepare for where the industry will land in the next 3-5 years. Hopefully creative arts colleges and universities are trying to train ahead of the curve as well.

We’ve even talked with some churches lately that are looking into (or already implementing) creative content delivery systems as well as stereoscopic 3D. It will be interesting to see how these new technologies will impact culture.

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