MUMBAI: This is a piece of news that should make Indian animation companies sit and take note.

Latest research from the organisation Research & Markets states that 90 per cent of all American television animation is produced in Asia.

The report has been titled Asian Animation Industry: Strategies, Trends and Opportunities. This report contains detailed analysis of the trends in animation outsourcing in India, Korea, among other Asian nations. It has also examined the nature of co-production work being done in the region. The report has noted that the procedure starts with pre-production (preparing the script, storyboard, and exposure sheets) done in the US.

After this, the package is sent to Asia for production (drawing cells, colouring by hand, inking, painting, and camera work). The work is then sent back to the US for post-production (film editing, colour timing, and sound).

Asian animation companies bid fiercely to be part of the global business. They insist that it provides employment and skills to young people, brings in needed foreign capital, and adds to the creation or enhancement of domestic animation.

The report has gone on to note that offshore animation has led to creating and nurturing of the local industry. As infrastructure is built up and equipment is put in place, it leads to skills being transferred.