Keeping 2D Animation Alive
by Joe Cooper
joe.cooper@animationschoolreview.com
Animation School Review Columnist
The Animation Guild used to boast between 2,000 and 3,000 members, when 2D animation features were the industry standard. Now, only a few hundred members remain. How can you keep 2D animation alive when all the major studios are focused on 3D? For one ex-Disney animator, the answer was to create his own.
That Miracle Studios has been able to stay in business seems just that—a miracle. During a time when 3D animation features put out by larger studios like Warner Brothers, Dreamworks, and Pixar generate hundreds of millions in box office and DVD release profits, 2D animation has declined. Even at Disney, arguably the largest producer of 2D animation features, has shifted its focus to 3D animation.
Starting a Miracle
Founded by the 2D animator Tom Hignite, after a stint at the Disney animation studios, Miracle Studios’ mission is simply to keep 2D animation alive. Hignite was laid off after 13 years at Disney. Many TV shows and films that feature animation have hundreds of animators at their disposal, so with only 12 animators, Miracle is seeking to be the little studio that could.
Miracle Studios focuses on 3 primary areas of animation:
- Animation
- Comic Art
- Digital Painting
Visitors to their simple Web site (www.miraclestudios.com) can find some information on their services, enjoy 2D animation mini-features, and browse some stunning digital paintings.
Miracle’s latest project is a feature 2D animation project based on an animation book the studio just put out called Miracle House.
2D Animation School
The pulse of 2D animation still beats in animation school, too. Some schools offer entire degree programs on 2D animation. Although struggling, the tradition is still alive.
Sources
Yahoo! News
Miracle Studios
About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor’s in American Literature from UCLA.
