By Teddy Bruce
While our small island states in the Caribbean depend heavily on tourism as our main source of income, now and again some of our citizens show us how we can add to that fragile economy with solid industrial development that can lead to greater job security.
Such a citizen is Shane Daniel. He is the master cartoonist for The Observer newspaper of Antigua and Barbuda.
Shane might appear to be unassuming, but he holds a skill in computer animation technology that can open up a new industry in Antigua and Barbuda.
The animation industry carries many genres. There is 2D animation which is still a popular format. There is 3D animation that has swept the market. But there is also Storyboard animation, Limited animation, and Stop Motion Animation. All of these animation genres have built popular business names like Disney, Universal, and Warner Brothers, and have helped build the American economy.
Shane is familiar with all the animation formats, but his preferred genre is 2D animation. He said, “I like the idea of drawing images of birds flying, people walking and running, talking and laughing, and getting great satisfaction of seeing such drawn images come to life, almost like real situations”.
Shane’s knowledge of this industrial sphere can provide jobs, and bring to life TV productions projecting the people of Antigua and Barbuda in ways that will captivate the island.
Such productions can find their way to other Caribbean countries, thereby spreading the culture of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caricom countries.
Jobs will come in the form of actors and actresses, editors, people with knowledge of Photoshop, After Effects, Script Writers, and Producers.
Animation is very much a team effort project, as it is a complex genre.
Shane studied his craft at The Regional Animation Institute in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Institute provided training in 2D Animation, Voice and Speech, Producing Feature Films, Script Writing, Editing, Lighting Techniques, and Camera Techniques.
The initiative in Trinidad resulted in the development of a functioning new industry in computer animation technology. It also saved much-needed foreign exchange from leaving that country to have animated commercials done in Venezuela as well as Miami.
Our small island countries cannot continue to rely on tourism for our survival. We must try other methods of development.
The oil-rich countries of the world such as Saudia Arabia, and Qatar, have long diversified their economy. They accept that a one-dimensional economy is detrimental to their survival.
Our small island states must look inward to seek those who have unique skills like Shane Daniel, and to give support to them, to bring greater economic security to our islands.
The Jamaican government some two years ago decided to pump a billion Jamaican dollars into developing an animation industry. They have since produced excellent animation productions.
Paramount Pictures, a major American movie distributor, distributed Bob Marley’s One Love Movie.
Hollywood legendary actor Brad Pitt’s movie company Plan B Entertainment, was one of the producers of the movie.
Tuff Gong, Bob Marley Jamaican Music and Film Company was also one of the producers.
Founded by Robert Teitel and George Tillman, Jr., State Street Pictures was the other American production company involved in the making of Bob Marley’s One Love movie.
The movie’s budget was 70 million USD, but its revenue was nearly 200 million USD
This movie of a Caribbean artist, Bob Marley, hints at the probability of Caribbean TV products in the first instance being successful in foreign markets. Naturally, all the proper support will be needed to cross that economic bridge, but it can happen.
The Caribbean has a long list of successful live-action movies made.
We now need to look at animation and the people who can make it happen.
Shane said, “I would love to be a part of a pioneering team to develop animation in Antigua and Barbuda. There are great stories we can bring to life through this exciting medium. The multiple benefits can help change the course of some of the negative developments among the youths of our country”.
Antigua and Barbuda is sitting on a sleeping giant, Shane Daniel. Let’s bring him out in the open, and show the world why Oprah Winfrey, the billionaire TV host bought a home in picturesque Antigua and Barbuda.
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