Disney’s landmark movie The Lion King was the first animated film to break box-office records, and heralded a new era of animation with an upward trend in the quality and popularity of animated feature films. Since then, animation has skyrocketed and computer generated animation (CGA) has risen dramatically in popularity. Movies such as Finding Nemo, Shrek, and The Incredibles have dazzled audiences and critics alike with witty writing and amazing cinematography. Animation is certainly not confined to children’s movies. With the spectacular display of animated magic prevalent in many of today’s top movies, such as The Lord of The Rings, talented animators are highly admired and sought after.

Animation is a flourishing and rewarding area to be involved in. It is an incredibly exciting and entertaining career to pursue. With consumer demand for high quality animation and visuals escalating, visual artists with excellent animation skills are in demand worldwide. In only a few short years, the animation industry has grown from small, one-person art studios making personal films and commercials, to large businesses employing hundreds and working on major projects for production companies such as Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Warner Brothers.

New computer technology has a lot to do with this animation mania. Computer animation is now one of the most rapidly growing areas of creative and technical development. As a result, a number of distinct and specialized animation professions have emerged such as modelers, painters, and technical directors. The flexibility and boundless potential now available to visual artists through this new technology is astounding. With new animation tools, visual artists can build entire worlds out of their imaginations and market them for multimedia, web, television, feature films, and the biggest growth area in CGA: Video Game design.

Game design is the fastest growing segment of the entertainment industry. Over 60% of the adult population in the U.S., regularly play video games. Last year, computer and video game software set a new record, reaching $7.3 Billion in sales.

"In 2004, video games flew off the shelves as eight titles were sold per second per day throughout the year, evidence of the continuing vast popularity of games among consumers of all ages ," says Douglas Lowenstein, president of the ESA, the U.S. association representing computer and video game software publishers.

"This industry remains strong and poised for renewed double digit growth over the next five years as we enter a new cycle of video game console launches. The future could not be brighter,” he continues.

This is only the beginning. As technology advances and demand grows, the industry is guaranteed to grow with it. Right now, there are more job opportunities for qualified animation graduates than ever before. The competition is intense. The proper skills in animation are essential. A crash course in an animation program will not cut it in the industry.

As in any entertainment field, computer animation is a highly competitive industry, and only those possessing cutting edge skills will excel. Joe Alter, founder of Joe Alter, Inc. a company that has worked with George Lucas and Steven Spielberg says that, “animators should ALWAYS know as much as they can.”

Computer skills are important and proper training of the new animation technologies is crucial. Skilled animators also need a fundamental understanding of art and animation principles, and must be able to draw 2D images. They cannot rely solely on their computer skills. Animation graduates must have art and design knowledge with a solid understanding of lighting, depth and perspective in order to make it in this industry. Animators must also be able to tell a story and have a vision of what they want to produce.

Finding a top quality school that provides serious training in animation increases a student’s chances of making it in this exciting creative environment.

Max the Mutt Animation School is an established, respected presence in Toronto’s animation industry. Max The Mutt offers thorough training in animation. This provides students with the well-rounded training and education needed to excel in the animation industry.

Classical Animation Basics is a three year diploma program, including in-depth drawing curriculum and professional-level instruction. The fourth year is a post diploma program for advanced animation. This program is designed to give classically trained animation students production experience on a real 3D animated short film, which will be entered into international film competitions.

Students who attend Max the Mutt study professional 3D character animation using the latest design tool Maya. Students are trained by teachers who are top professionals in the animation industry.

"I've been working here in Australia for the past couple of months.  Every company I've showed my portfolio to has been very impressed.  I'm the only employee my company has hired that they haven't had to re-train.  They are happy with my work and don't want me to leave." Joel Tellier, a very satisfied graduate, reveals about his future success after leaving Matt The Mutt Animation School.