MAAC launches first centre in Chennai

MAAC launches first centre in Chennai

Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC), one of the country’s leading animation and visual effects institutes, offering various courses in computer graphics, animation and special effects, has launched its first training centre at # 6, II Avenue, Anna Nagar.

MAAC would go in for three more centres in Chennai, the next one to come up at Egmore shortly. Later, centres would be opened in other parts of Tamil Nadu also.

The centre in Anna Nagar, the 36th in the country, has the best of infrastructural facilities with well-equipped labs and animation studios as per international standards. The launch programme was attended by Naveen Gupta, COO, MAAC, Rajesh Turakhia, CEO, Maya Entertainment Ltd, and Aruna Kumar, zonal manager - South.

Naveen Gupta said, “There has been a convergence of IT, communication and entertainment taking place in the industry. This has led to an increased application of computer graphics animation for various modes of communication and for the need of converting animation into an industry. At MAAC, we cater to the large demand of quality manpower prevailing in both national and international markets.”

Rajesh Turakhia said, "The entire western world, in general, and the US, in particular, is outsourcing many projects to India for the production of their big budget films, ad promos, games and many more. This shows their faith in our talent. We must promote talent through our branches all over the country.”

Turakhia said, “MAAC offers the most advanced environment to its students in terms of infrastructure, academic curriculum and seasoned professionals as faculties, for the cultivation of creative skills and knowledge in animation and computer graphics. The institute stands out from the rest in being a part of one of the country’s leading animation studios, Maya Entertainment Ltd (MEL). Hence, it allows the students to get exposed to the latest developments and technology from the world over through live projects that MEL handles for its national and international clients. MAAC is also credited with being the largest networked partner for Alias and Auto Desk - two of the global leaders in animation software. The institute offers a highly integrated curriculum to its students from the initial sketching phase to the final onscreen animation phase, helping in building a talent pool of studio-ready students, he added.

They can confidently fill up the growing gap between demand and supply of quality animators, he said, pointing out that the shortfall was expected to be over 90 per cent.

Moreover, the institute’s placement division helps the students secure credible placements at various animation studios and allied sectors. MAAC has also tied up with Central Bank of India in the south to provide educational loans to students @ 9 per cent interest, he said.

MAAC has been promoted by the internationally acclaimed producer-director, Ketan Mehta, and reputed actress, Deepa Shahi, as an academic wing of MEL. MAAC provides courses and related training in the areas of computer graphics and animation, visual effects for feature films, film scanning and recording, compositing and editing, duly supported by opportunities to work on live projects for film and television.

The institute has pioneered animation training in the country and has also taken initiatives for the growth and development of the industry by promoting young talent through competitive events like 24FPS - an annual event conceptualised by MAAC that helps in seeking the finest talent in animation in the country.

MAAC plans 25 more institutes by the end of the current year.