Welcome back to AnA! This month we’re handling a much more serious question. One that may be a touchy subject for some – and an expected evolution for others. This question will cause cities to crumble – and new ones to be built.
Without further adieu…
THE QUESTION
“With the growing usage of the 3D platform, what future (if any) do you see for 2D animation?”
With a heart rooted in the world of 2D, Teen Titans Head and Supervising Animator, Johnny Tesoro will be handling the response. Take it away Johnny!
>>When I look at the landscape of 2D animation, I sometimes feel that the future is bleak for those of us who love to draw for a living and make cartoons that look hand crafted. The current number of traditional feature animations that exist and the handful of TV shows that are done traditionally, compared to 10 years ago, definitely has shown a decline. Working within the 2D TV animation industry I have witnessed a steady decline in budgets and schedules. Clients are asking for higher quality in shorter time frames for less money. I also have witnessed more and more animators in TV and film animation lacking strong drawing skills, since many projects done in Flash or Harmony don’t require them compared to a completely traditional production. Also, more and more actual animation is going overseas and we, in North America, are doing more key posing and animation revision work than ever before. In this climate, it’s easy for anyone to feel that we might be witnessing the death of traditional animation.
But I disagree…
More often than not, I’m very excited about the changing landscape of animation because it leads to increased access to technology and increasing number of venues for people to experience animation. Because programs like Flash or TV Paint are relatively cheap and can be used at home, more and more people are able to create personal animated projects and self broadcast them on sites like Youtube, Vimeo or Blogspot. Because entertainment is a meritocracy, ‘good art’ will always be interesting no matter if it’s done traditionally, in Flash, or in 3D. There will always be an audience for 2D animation like there will always be an audience for classical music. People love shows like Adventure Time and Sponge Bob because it’s good art. Just as people still go to the symphony and watch live theatre – the appreciation for 2D animation will never change!
Thanks for your question!
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Johnny Tesoro is Animation Supervisor on the Bardel Animated Teen Titans GO! He began his career in animation back in 2001, for the company Noisemdia, where he was a Writer, Director, Designer, and Voice Actor, along with being an Animator. Johnny got his start with Bardel in 2005, working on many different productions, including Chaotic, Bob’s Burgers, Zeke’s Pad, and currently with Teen Titans GO! Johnny also runs his own production company, Big Head Productions, providing Illustration, Graphic Design, and other animation services for broadcast and internet usage.
Johnny Tesoro
Hope you all enjoyed this months Ask an Animator! Make sure to send us any questions you have in the comment section below, and stay tuned to Bardel Culture for a candid look into the world of Animation!
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