An innovative edge to animation
Due to the increase in television animation production being sent to Asia, Europe is in jeopardy of falling behind in the skills required for future international competition in this arena. Although preproduction may be handled in Western Europe, there is little animation for television. For the most part, European animators are involved in the games industry or on feature films which have higher budgets. Furthermore, when it comes to animation, America and Japan are tough competition since they both have the capacity to cover production costs through ticket sales, merchandising and overseas release. In Europe, however, production budgets for an animated feature are 10 per cent of what they are in the USA. This need to compete internationally combined with the quest for continuous novelty, brought forth the creation of Stalin's Fridge. It is used as a model for designing a unique animation style behind the force of "creative pull". Aimed at a mainstream audience, Stalin's Fridge may give Europe the animation edge it needs with innovative 2½ D software that could also reduce costs. This could have an impact on both feature film as well as TV animation.
