Epic Games is promoting its Unreal Engine software as a tool for reducing costs, speeding up production, and improving content quality in the animation industry. Rob Di Figlia, Business Development Director, presented this view at a MipJunior session, arguing that the technology is as relevant to animation as it has been to live-action production, such as its use in The Mandalorian.
Di Figlia noted that animation studios face increasing pressure to execute projects with fewer resources each year. Unreal Engine addresses this challenge by speeding up the rendering process, reducing the time required from days or weeks to seconds.
The platform has seen rapid adoption. Di Figlia stated that in 2019, fewer than five animation studios were using Unreal Engine in a significant way; this figure has since grown to well over 100. He confirmed that animation has been a primary area of focus, with series animation studios specifically transitioning from traditional computer graphics pipelines to real-time workflows over the last five years. The reasons for this change are «speed, creative and economic,» as «the future of entertainment is changing and becoming much more interactive and immersive».
Di Figlia cited the work of Pure Imagination and Zebu studios, which are using Unreal Engine in standard animated TV series production. These companies are working up to 20% faster on an average 22-minute kids’ series. This reduces the production time for a series from a range of 60 to 70 weeks, down to 42 to 50 weeks.
Di Figlia also presented a 90-second cinematic trailer for a Beta production, fully animated using Unreal Engine. This teaser is part of a free animation sample project, set to be released by Agora Studios in the coming weeks, allowing animators to examine the techniques employed by other artists. Examples of titles utilizing the technology include the Academy Award winner War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko.
