Vancouver: B.C.’s animators warn that the industry’s current good health is in jeopardy without the cooperation of educational institutions and government.

According to a survey released Oct. 30 by the Association of British Columbia Animation Producers, B.C.’s animation industry is projected to grow to $668 million in 2003 from $286 million in 1998 – a 235% increase.

But ABCAP says B.C. is lagging other provinces in business-driving incentives.

‘Animation production companies in Ontario and Quebec enjoy a 20% animation production tax credit,’ says Mark Freedman, ABCAP’s president. ‘This creates an unfair advantage and gives eastern Canada a significant competitive edge over B.C.’

He adds: ‘Government attention to entertainment industry policies has focused entirely on the live-action film and TV sector of our industry with beneficial results. It is now time for the government to work with the animation sector to ensure a level playing field.’

Additional challenges include recruiting. The study says two-thirds of B.C. animation companies have difficulty hiring locally to fill senior production roles.

‘Part of the reason is higher salaries and lower income tax rates in the United States,’ says Freedman. ‘But the other half of the equation is lack of appropriate training at many of B.C.’s post-secondary educational institutions.’

ABCAP says it has already begun working with the provincial government, and plans to begin working with schools next year to develop accredited apprenticeship training programs, internship programs and improve standards.

There are about 60 animation companies in B.C., employing more than 2,700 people. These companies are involved in classical animation, computer animation and visual effects, video and computer game animation, stop-motion animation, as well as music, sound and voice recording for animated productions.

The study, available on the Internet, was conducted this summer by Vancouver consulting firm Ference Weicker and funded by Human Resources Development Canada and the provincial government.

-www.abcap.org