India’s special effects industry is facing a staff shortage as demand for visual effects (VFX) increases. The industry has experienced a boom in recent years, with both domestic and international companies sending work to India. However, the recent strikes in Hollywood had a significant impact on the Indian market, leading to layoffs and delays in projects. Despite this setback, industry experts are confident that the market will recover. The next challenge for the Indian industry is finding enough skilled staff to meet the growing demand.

Currently, around 250,000 people work in the VFX and animation industry in India. However, it is estimated that by 2032, this number will need to balloon to 2.2 million. To address this shortage, the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Task Force is working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications. The industry is also looking to involve senior members in education to inspire young people to pursue careers in VFX and animation.

While India has a large pool of young people with technical skills, such as engineering, there is a lack of courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects. However, this shortfall is being addressed through the introduction of new VFX courses offered by universities and other institutions. Despite the potential for growth in the industry, the cost of VFX and animation courses, as well as the expensive hardware and software required for training, may pose a challenge for India. Industry experts suggest that big media and tech companies should contribute more to the cost to make these courses more accessible.

Artificial intelligence (AI) may also help alleviate the staff shortage in the industry. AI has already had a significant impact on the way films are made, allowing for quicker generation of CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations. While some jobs may be lost to AI, it is seen as a powerful tool to enhance creativity and quality rather than a threat.

Despite the challenges, those working in the industry find great satisfaction in their work. The thrill of seeing their names in the credits of a film and the opportunity to work on fun and fantastical projects are some of the rewards of being part of the special effects industry in India.

Original news source: The staff shortage in India’s special effects industry (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to summarize the main points of the article in one or two sentences. Have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group discuss the following question: “Do you think the Indian special effects industry will be able to meet the growing demand for skilled staff?” After discussing their opinions, have each group present their views to the class.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word “VFX” on the board. Ask the class to brainstorm and write down as many words as they can think of that are associated with VFX and the special effects industry. After a few minutes, have each student share one word from their list and explain why they chose it.

– Sketch It
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a few minutes to discuss and come up with a visual representation of the Indian special effects industry. They can draw a diagram, a mind map, or any other visual representation that captures the key aspects of the industry. Afterward, have each pair present their sketch to the class and explain their choices.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to discuss the pros of working in the Indian special effects industry, and the other group to discuss the cons. Give each group a few minutes to brainstorm and come up with their points. Then, have each group present their arguments to the class and engage in a respectful debate.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What impact did the recent strikes in Hollywood have on the Indian special effects industry?
2. How many people currently work in the VFX and animation industry in India?
3. What is the estimated number of people needed to meet the growing demand in the industry by 2032?
4. What is the AVGC Task Force doing to address the staff shortage in the industry?
5. What is the main shortfall in the current VFX and animation courses offered in India?
6. How is the industry addressing the shortfall in courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects?
7. What are some of the challenges that may hinder the growth of the industry in India?
8. How is artificial intelligence (AI) being used in the special effects industry and what is its impact on job opportunities?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

India’s special effects industry is facing a staff shortage as demand for visual effects (VFX) increases. The industry has experienced a boom in recent years, with both (1)______ and (2)______ companies sending work to India. However, the recent strikes in Hollywood had a significant impact on the Indian market, leading to layoffs and delays in projects. Despite this setback, industry (3)______ are confident that the market will recover. The next challenge for the Indian industry is finding enough skilled staff to meet the (4)______ demand.

Currently, around 250,000 people work in the VFX and animation industry in (5)______. However, it is estimated that by 2032, this number will need to balloon to 2.2 million. To address this shortage, the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Task (6)______ is working with (7)______ and colleges to develop courses and qualifications. The industry is also looking to involve senior members in education to inspire young people to pursue (8)______ in VFX and animation.

While India has a large pool of young people with technical skills, such as engineering, there is a lack of courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of (9)______ effects. However, this shortfall is being addressed through the introduction of new VFX courses offered by universities and other institutions. Despite the potential for growth in the industry, the cost of VFX and animation courses, as well as the expensive (10)______ and software required for training, may pose a challenge for India. Industry experts (11)______ that big media and tech companies should (12)______ more to the cost to make these courses more accessible.

Artificial intelligence (AI) may also help alleviate the staff shortage in the (13)______. AI has already had a significant impact on the way films are made, allowing for quicker (14)______ of CGI backgrounds, characters, and (15)______ simulations. While some jobs may be lost to AI, it is seen as a powerful tool to (16)______ creativity and quality rather than a threat.

Despite the challenges, those working in the industry find great satisfaction in their work. The thrill of seeing their names in the credits of a film and the opportunity to work on fun and fantastical projects are some of the rewards of being part of the special effects industry in India.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the special effects industry and what role does it play in the film industry?
2. How would you feel if you were working in the special effects industry and experienced layoffs and delays in projects due to strikes in another country?
3. Do you think the Indian special effects industry will be able to recover from the setbacks caused by the strikes in Hollywood? Why or why not?
4. What challenges do you think the Indian special effects industry will face in finding enough skilled staff to meet the growing demand?
5. How do you think involving senior members in education can inspire young people to pursue careers in VFX and animation?
6. Do you think the introduction of new VFX courses offered by universities and other institutions will help address the shortfall in understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the cost of VFX and animation courses and the expensive hardware and software required for training can pose a challenge for India? What can be done to make these courses more accessible?
8. How do you think artificial intelligence (AI) can help alleviate the staff shortage in the special effects industry? What impact do you think AI will have on the industry as a whole?
9. Do you think AI is a threat to jobs in the special effects industry? Why or why not?
10. How do you think AI can enhance creativity and quality in the special effects industry?
11. What rewards do you think people working in the special effects industry in India find in their work?
12. How important do you think it is for big media and tech companies to contribute more to the cost of VFX and animation courses? Why or why not?
13. What other industries or fields do you think could benefit from the use of AI in a similar way to the special effects industry?
14. How do you think the special effects industry in India compares to the industry in other countries, such as Hollywood?
15. Would you consider pursuing a career in the special effects industry? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. alleviate
2. animation
3. artificial
4. balloon
5. boom
6. challenges
7. creativity
8. domestic
9. enhance
10. fantastical
11. hardware
12. layoffs
13. potential
14. qualifications
15. shortfall

Meanings:
(A) To increase or expand rapidly
(B) To make something less severe or serious
(C) The process of making movies or cartoons by creating a series of drawings or models
(D) A period of rapid growth and expansion
(E) Relating to or occurring within one’s own country
(F) To improve or augment something, especially in quality or value
(G) The physical components of a computer system
(H) The use of imagination or original ideas to create something
(I) Imaginary and often highly unrealistic or fanciful
(J) A deficiency or lack in the amount needed or expected
(K) The inherent capacity for growth or development
(L) The termination of employees’ positions within a company
(M) Difficult tasks or problems that need to be dealt with
(N) The credentials or achievements required for a particular position or task
(O) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main challenge currently facing India’s special effects industry?
(a) Staff shortage
(b) Lack of demand
(c) Expensive hardware and software
(d) Lack of courses in filmmaking

2. How many people currently work in the VFX and animation industry in India?
(a) 250,000
(b) 2.2 million
(c) 2032
(d) None of the above

3. What is the AVGC Task Force doing to address the staff shortage?
(a) Sending work to international companies
(b) Working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications
(c) Laying off employees
(d) None of the above

4. What is the main shortfall in the current VFX courses offered in India?
(a) Lack of engineering courses
(b) Lack of courses in filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects
(c) None of the above
(d) Lack of technical skills

5. What is one potential solution to the staff shortage in the industry?
(a) Layoffs
(b) Decreasing demand for VFX
(c) None of the above
(d) Artificial intelligence

6. How has artificial intelligence impacted the film industry?
(a) Increased demand for VFX
(b) Quicker generation of CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations
(c) Decreased creativity and quality
(d) None of the above

7. What is one of the rewards of working in the special effects industry in India?
(a) Working on fun and fantastical projects
(b) Both (a) and (b)
(c) Seeing their names in the credits of a film
(d) None of the above

8. Who should contribute more to the cost of VFX and animation courses, according to industry experts?
(a) Universities and colleges
(b) The government
(c) Big media and tech companies
(d) None of the above

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. By 2032, it is estimated that the number of people working in the VFX and animation industry in India will need to increase to 2.2 million.
2. Despite the setback from the strikes, industry experts are confident that the market will recover.
3. India’s special effects industry is facing a staff shortage as demand for visual effects (VFX) increases.
4. India has a small pool of young people with technical skills, but there is an abundance of courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects.
5. The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Task Force is working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications to address the staff shortage.
6. The recent strikes in Hollywood had no impact on the Indian market, leading to job security and timely completion of projects.
7. Currently, around 50,000 people work in the VFX and animation industry in India.
8. Artificial intelligence (AI) may worsen the staff shortage in the industry by slowing down the generation of CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What impact did the recent strikes in Hollywood have on the Indian special effects industry?
2. How many people currently work in the VFX and animation industry in India?
3. What steps are being taken to address the staff shortage in the Indian special effects industry?
4. What is the current shortfall in VFX courses in India and how is it being addressed?
5. How can big media and tech companies contribute to making VFX and animation courses more accessible in India?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The recent strikes in Hollywood led to layoffs and delays in projects in the Indian special effects industry.
2. Currently, around 250,000 people work in the VFX and animation industry in India.
3. It is estimated that by 2032, the number of people needed to meet the growing demand in the industry will be 2.2 million.
4. The AVGC Task Force is working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications to address the staff shortage in the industry.
5. The main shortfall in the current VFX and animation courses offered in India is a lack of courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects.
6. The industry is addressing the shortfall in courses by introducing new VFX courses offered by universities and other institutions.
7. Some challenges that may hinder the growth of the industry in India include the cost of VFX and animation courses, as well as the expensive hardware and software required for training.
8. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the special effects industry to generate CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations more quickly. While some jobs may be lost to AI, it is seen as a tool to enhance creativity and quality rather than a threat to job opportunities.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) domestic
(2) international
(3) experts
(4) growing
(5) India
(6) Force
(7) universities
(8) careers
(9) visual
(10) hardware
(11) suggest
(12) contribute
(13) industry
(14) generation
(15) effects
(16) enhance
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. alleviate
Answer: (B) To make something less severe or serious

2. animation
Answer: (C) The process of making movies or cartoons by creating a series of drawings or models

3. artificial
Answer: (O) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally

4. balloon
Answer: (A) To increase or expand rapidly

5. boom
Answer: (D) A period of rapid growth and expansion

6. challenges
Answer: (M) Difficult tasks or problems that need to be dealt with

7. creativity
Answer: (H) The use of imagination or original ideas to create something

8. domestic
Answer: (E) Relating to or occurring within one’s own country

9. enhance
Answer: (F) To improve or augment something, especially in quality or value

10. fantastical
Answer: (I) Imaginary and often highly unrealistic or fanciful

11. hardware
Answer: (G) The physical components of a computer system

12. layoffs
Answer: (L) The termination of employees’ positions within a company

13. potential
Answer: (K) The inherent capacity for growth or development

14. qualifications
Answer: (N) The credentials or achievements required for a particular position or task

15. shortfall
Answer: (J) A deficiency or lack in the amount needed or expected
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main challenge currently facing India’s special effects industry?
Answer: (a) Staff shortage

2. How many people currently work in the VFX and animation industry in India?
Answer: (a) 250,000

3. What is the AVGC Task Force doing to address the staff shortage?
Answer: (b) Working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications

4. What is the main shortfall in the current VFX courses offered in India?
Answer: (d) Lack of technical skills

5. What is one potential solution to the staff shortage in the industry?
Answer: (d) Artificial intelligence

6. How has artificial intelligence impacted the film industry?
Answer: (b) Quicker generation of CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations

7. What is one of the rewards of working in the special effects industry in India?
Answer: (c) Seeing their names in the credits of a film

8. Who should contribute more to the cost of VFX and animation courses, according to industry experts?
Answer: (c) Big media and tech companies
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. By 2032, it is estimated that the number of people working in the VFX and animation industry in India will need to increase to 2.2 million. (Answer: True)
2. Despite the setback from the strikes, industry experts are confident that the market will recover. (Answer: True)
3. India’s special effects industry is facing a staff shortage as demand for visual effects (VFX) increases. (Answer: True)
4. India has a small pool of young people with technical skills, but there is an abundance of courses that provide a deep understanding of filmmaking and the artistic side of visual effects. (Answer: False)
5. The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Task Force is working with universities and colleges to develop courses and qualifications to address the staff shortage. (Answer: True)
6. The recent strikes in Hollywood had no impact on the Indian market, leading to job security and timely completion of projects. (Answer: False)
7. Currently, around 50,000 people work in the VFX and animation industry in India. (Answer: False)
8. Artificial intelligence (AI) may worsen the staff shortage in the industry by slowing down the generation of CGI backgrounds, characters, and effects simulations. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧