The Human Side of the Animation Industry

By Alexandra “Sasha” Balan

11.10.24

The world of animation can seem like a place of wonders, where still drawings are given a soul and a life of their own, but behind the scenes, it's a different story. 

As an animator with almost 10 years of experience in the industry, I’d like to employ my personal experience to do a deep dive into the real life of animators, including the charm, the struggles, and the looming threat of AI.

 

The Good: Collaboration and Creativity

Let’s start with the positives: animation is filled with some of the most passionate, creative, and collaborative people you’ll ever meet. Working on a team of animators feels like being part of a family— where one’s creative needs are satisfied on a daily basis and where everyone shares the same goal of bringing stories to life. The flexibility of freelance work can also be a perk, as it allows animators to set their schedules and balance life outside the studio.

But flexibility comes at a price.

 


The Bad: Instability and Crunch Culture

While freelance work offers freedom, it also brings with it instability. The contract might last six months, and then suddenly, you’re back to square one, emailing every contact you’ve ever made, hoping to land your next gig. That dreaded down time can stretch into months of uncertainty—something many animators know all too well.

Crunch culture is still alive and kicking. Production schedules tend to be tight, and animators are expected to pull long hours—sometimes unpaid—just to get the project over the finish line. While some may manage two weeks of crunch, others have endured it for months. Imagine working seven days a week for months on end, only to have your sanity take a nosedive. It's not uncommon, even at prestigious studios like Pixar.

 

The Ugly: AI and the Crisis Facing Animators

Now we come to the two letters that are giving everyone nightmares these days: AI. It’s no secret that artificial intelligence is creeping into every corner of the creative industry, and animation is no exception. The problem? AI has the potential to replace crucial jobs by automating tasks that were once done by highly skilled artists.

Stakeholders are enamoured with the cost-cutting potential of AI, but for animators, it feels like the rug is being pulled from under them. AI can already assist with concept design, character design and some in-betweening, which is great for speeding up production—but at what cost? AI threatens the livelihood of animators, devaluing their craft and already making certain jobs which used to be the bread and butter of some animators (e.g. explainer videos) obsolete.

 

To Infinity and Beyond: Navigating the AI Landscape

During the podcast, I sat down with fellow animator Nicky Francis to discuss the AI conundrum. Nicky’s take? 

“AI isn’t going away anytime soon, but it’s important to distinguish between its practical uses and its downsides. While AI can speed up some tedious tasks—like previz for VFX—it's still far from replacing the irreplaceable: the human touch.”

Nicky brought up an interesting point about how AI is actually helpful for independent creators. 

“If you’re a one-person production team, AI tools can give you the ability to polish your work without hiring additional help. That’s a win for independent artists, but the fear remains that larger companies will use AI to cut corners and eliminate jobs.”

AI isn't going to disappear, and we need to find a way to coexist. The question is, how do we make sure AI is used as a tool to enhance creativity, not erase it? As Nicky and I discussed, AI can’t replicate human creativity or storytelling. People value handmade work, and no algorithm can mimic the emotion, nuance, or craftsmanship that comes from an experienced animator.

While the animation industry is in a precarious place, there is hope. Regulation around AI is already being discussed, with platforms requiring AI-generated content to be labelled as such and The Animation Guild in the States conducting industry strikes to renegotiate more human-facing contracts. In the end, there will always be demand for authentic, handmade work. AI might be a shiny new toy, but it's not capable of true artistry.

 

Keep Making Films by Hand

The rise of AI is unsettling, but animators are resilient. As technology evolves, so must we. Whether it’s adapting new tools or advocating for better working conditions, the future of animation lies in how we, as creators, navigate this ever-changing landscape. One thing’s for sure: no matter how advanced AI becomes, the human side of animation will always have value.