Transcript Animation Ireland

Job Creation & Innovation in the Creative Economy
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Cathal Gaffney
CEO, Brown Bag Films
Animation Ireland
The voice of animation in Ireland
Mandate
Animation Ireland is the voice of the Irish Animation sector whose core objective is to
establish Ireland as a creative centre for Content & Technology by focussing on growth,
developing an innovation culture and creating competitive advantage for members.
Focussing on Key Opportunities:
1.
2.
3.
Increasing Jobs, Exports, Licensing and Commercial Investment
Maintaining and increasing an international profile
Increase funding for production and development
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Studios include
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Some productions include
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Animation in Ireland
• Animation Ireland is a group of leading Irish animation companies working together to promote Ireland's world class
sector internationally
• Working closely with Enterprise Ireland, CEOs of Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) studios collaborate in a structured
way to scale the industry for the next stage of international growth
• Animation and Visual Effects companies are market driven and exports account for 90% of turnover with a 30%
increase in exports from 2011 to 2012
• Animation and VFX companies define the smart economy; export sales, technology driven, exploiting intellectual
property and providing full time careers in growing companies
• Animation and VFX has experienced substantial growth over the past five years emerging as a central component of
Ireland's digital and creative economy
• Animation created in Ireland is viewed in 120+ countries worldwide and last year over 100 million children around the
world watched cartoons made in Ireland
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Animation and VFX in Ireland
• Across Animation and Visual Effects, there exists a high level of technology R&D activity in core companies providing an
international competitive advantage with technically sophisticated 2D & 3D production facilities
• VFX driven movies represent 60% of worldwide cinema box office in last 5 years
• VFX is the fastest growing sector within the booming UK film production industry in the last 5 years
• Animation and VFX companies are employing young specialist graduates; generating high paid,
high tech, highly skilled work particularly for young graduates
• VFX is digital content production that shares the same technology, skill set and creative talent as Animation and Games
• Visual Effects Association of Ireland [VFXAI] was formed in 2013 by leading Irish VFX companies to promote Ireland as a
destination for world class Visual Effects.
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
The Potential
• Animation in Ireland has shown leadership and growth, with some changes in policy, it can double its employment
numbers within three years. Ireland can become a global hub for animation and visual effects production.
• Animation studios are export based and market facing companies demonstrating the ability to become
international companies of scale
• Children’s television shapes children’s view of the world; Irish children should have the same right to quality
programmes as their parents
• Opportunities lie exploiting Intellectual Property globally across all screen platforms and not have support
mechanisms biased towards any one channel to market
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Recommendations
Training – Develop the skills needed so companies can grow in Ireland
• Develop an industry growth plan with measurable and accountable targets
• Develop structured training initiatives like technology apprenticeships and graduate placements
• Develop digital and media literacy programmes in schools
Co-production treaties – Expand international sales opportunities
• Increase the amount of co-production treaties to as many countries in the world possible
Creative Capital Report – Great Recommendations Deja Vu
• Action policy changes not acted upon in the Creative Capital Report
Broadcasting Support – Develop a domestic market
• An amendment to the Broadcasting Act that requires RTÉ to spend a minimum amount of the independent
commissioning budget on programmes for children (currently less than 3%, yet 25% of our population are young
people). This will deliver both a stronger domestic market and give Irish children the opportunity to consume more
Irish themed content.
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Recommendations cont.
Build Companies of Scale – A rising tide lifts all boats
• Establish a strategic plan between EI and IFB to support export based companies of scale
• Broadcasters and agencies need to support Slate development and production
Tax Credits – Central to every thriving AV industry
• Maintain the Section 481 tax credit
• Extend the Technology R&D tax credit to include content development, supporting convergence between the
audiovisual content industry and the gaming industry
Measure and Record
• Commission a report on the actual value of the content industry. More evidence is needed and will illustrate the
Return on Investment and contribution to the Irish GDP that Animation and Visual effects companies deliver
Agency Support – Channels to market have evolved since 1980
• The reconstitution of Bord Scannán na hÉireann / the Irish Film Board under the Irish Film Board Act (1980) as a
dedicated agency, with a mandate and funding to assist in the development of content production across all screens
and all genres
Animation Ireland
Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
28th April 2015
Thank You
www.AnimationIreland.com
Cathal Gaffney
Animation Ireland board member, CEO Brown Bag Films
[email protected]