Global layoffs
With the announcement that Disney is implementing another global wave of layoffs, many people in the animation industry are fearful for the future. Disney laid off nearly 200 employees in March from the ABC News Group, Freeform, and FZ, and the latest cuts target operations, including development and TV marketing. The news from Pixar has not been great either.
Its latest film, Elio, has been controversial and divisive, while not pulling in excitement (or money) at the box office. Overall earnings for Elio have barely surpassed $70 million, and it is rumoured that it will be Pixar's lowest-grossing movie and is going to be one of 2025's biggest box office flops. When one considers the highs of films like Toy Story or Finding Nemo, one has to wonder where Pixar lost its way.
Critics blame a bland narrative, but the studio's decision to remove the LGBTQ and Latin representation left a bad taste in many people's mouths. Pixar has been accused of 'whitewashing' and falling into line with rising (or media-hyped) 'anti-woke' sentiments.
Is it true that animation studios are in trouble, or is it the industry as a whole?
Biggest flop
Last year, Pixar's Inside Out 2 grossed almost $1.7 billion and was one of the year's biggest films worldwide. It was not the only family film to have overcome the 'pandemic slump', and Despicable Me 4, Moana 2, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 collectively generated approximately $6.85 billion. A notable aspect of these successes is that they all revolve around existing intellectual properties from previous films or video games. It seems that people are feeling nostalgic and want a slice of something that is a rework or reimagining rather than a whole new concept.
You do not have to do too much research to realise that the industry is undergoing significant challenges. The creative industries have long been perceived as precarious workplaces, characterized by job insecurity and short-term contracts. However, the latest problems are also down to the restructuring of the entertainment industry as a whole. Finances have tightened after the glory days of the "streaming bubble," and companies like Netflix cut their animation divisions a couple of years ago. It was reported that two films in pre-production were shut down as a result of the reorganisation.
Axing or outsourcing?
Netflix's decision came after its animation vice president was reportedly "tweaking" the long-term strategy. That tweaking led the company to outsource much of its animation content to third-party producers. So while the household name entertainment companies hog the headlines, things are actually nothing like as grim in the industry as these suggest. It is not that animation studios are in trouble per se, but that there has been a shift in where the successes are.
Indy business thriving
In general, independent studios and platforms are thriving. Anyone involved in the process knows that every element of animation is long and challenging, and it certainly is not cheap. However, in addition to indie series and shorts being platformed on the likes of TikTok and YouTube, another area of the industry is exploding and is always on the lookout for experienced animation professionals.
Expand your horizons
The online gambling and gaming industry needs every talent from storyboard artists to 3D animators and CG generalists.
Online pokies are all about animation akin to what is found in any great video game. Interaction and intuitive storytelling, coupled with opportunities to win big and engaging special effects, are all key elements that a player is looking for when playing at top rated pokies online. With thousands of games to choose from, iGamers are not restricted to a few machines in a local bar or club.
A new portfolio of names
A recent Ipsos survey found that players are also looking for fast withdrawals, secure payment options, and user-friendly websites and apps. The role of the animation professional in perfecting the playing experience is paramount. While you may not have heard of the likes of IGT, Playtech, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, or Thunderkick, they are the studios and producers who are fuelling this growing industry and thriving in the market today.
Kiwi studio leading the charge
Mobile gaming apps are also employing animators. Ninja Kiwi is a developer and publisher based in New Zealand and Dundee, Scotland. It is the company behind Bloons TD, the first successful tower defence game. The studio now produces over 60 classic web games, including Bloons TD6, Bloons TD Battles 2, and SAS Zombie Assault 4. They have expanded the Bloons universe and recently launched the card-battler game Bloons Card Storm. The Ninja Kiwi games are among the most popular paid apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and they are popular titles among streamers on YouTube and Twitch.
The advice for people looking to get into or progress in the animation industry is to expand their horizons. While many people enter animation through film and TV, this represents only a small proportion of the potential job market.
International opportunities
Ninja Kiwi, for example, is owned by the MTG group, which has a broad portfolio of companies creating animated games. Its Snowprint studio is behind the success of Warhammer 40,000 Tacitus, which is one of the most popular mobile games connected to the Warhammer 40,000 IP. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, and Berlin, Germany, their stated aim is to take "the gameplay experience to richer, deeper levels, while making mobile mid-core free-to-play games more accessible to the masses". MTG's esports portfolio includes ESL and Dreamhack, while Hutch is a leading developer and publisher of free-to-play mobile racing games.
Work/life balance
The gaming and iGaming sector has always had a reputation for treating its staff well and prioritizing work-life balance. The same cannot always be said for other media companies. Hutch recently switched its studio to working a four-day work week, and business is booming. If animation studios are in trouble, then this will be news to companies in the gaming sector. Many have open application processes and encourage spontaneous applications from candidates. If the gaming world gets you animated, you could do worse than just send in your CV, cover letter, and showreel. After all, what do you have to lose?
