Animation Forum West Midlands

Research undertaken by AFWM into the region's animation industry indicates that the sector is predominantly comprised of micro-businesses, the majority of which are limited companies of 1-3 direct employees, highly dependent on hiring in freelancers on a project-by-project basis. Although this model allows for greater specialism and adaptability, the inevitable limitations suggest that AFWM's support should be geared towards intervening where the model falls short; providing a collective voice for the sector to compensate for low economies of scale, and helping to bridge the gap between employer and freelancer by:

• Providing opportunities for employers and freelancers to network
• Helping studios source work and freelancers find jobs via an active mailing list
• Acting as a central point of contact to connect the two parties
• Showcasing member work where possible.

Despite many commercial studios creating animated shorts as a means of promoting the business, our survey finds a perceived divide amongst some of the freelance community between 'commercial' animators and 'independent art filmmaking' animators; with some 'commercial animators' viewing present support as being too geared towards the latter. AFWM's survey also finds that regional animators are largely working in computer-based animation (70% work with 2D or 3D computer animation) and that the sector is geographically concentrated around Birmingham.

Respondents to the survey were very positive about the role played by AFWM with most identifying it as useful or extremely useful. The survey finds that the most popular reasons for joining AFWM were to make new contacts and find work. Of those surveyed who had attended an AFWM event, the majority (79%) had made new contacts through the event.

Although the survey was small in scope, the qualitative answers gained from returned questionnaires, interviews with animators for website features and electronic communication from AFWM members has fed extensively into the findings of this report. In doing so, the future strategic direction of AFWM can be built around, and be responsive to, the needs of the West Midlands animation community, with the ultimate goal of establishing the region's animation industry as a key player on the international stage. This report believes that Animation Forum West Midlands has a key role to play in this important process."