Every great animation career has a starting point—and for many successful professionals, that starting point was Toonz Academy. In this series, our alumni share their personal stories of transformation, how they discovered their passion, and how Toonz Academy gave them the tools,
training, and confidence to go from curious beginners in Kerala to top studios around the world.
Read on to see how Toonz Academy helped shape their journeys—from
Trivandrum to Hollywood and beyond.
How Toonz Academy Changed My Life: From Trivandrum to Hollywood
Hi, I’m Arun Krishnan. I’m currently part of the team at Framestore in Melbourne, one of the world’s most renowned visual effects studios. Over the past decade, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work on blockbuster films like The Jungle Book, John Wick, How to Train Your Dragon, and Thunderbolt. But my journey didn’t begin in Hollywood. It started in Trivandrum, with curiosity, a bit of uncertainty, and Toonz Academy.
When I First Discovered Animation
I was 20, just out of college in Kerala, and completely unsure of what to do next. My family wanted me to go for a postgraduate degree, but I wasn’t convinced. Then, a family friend told me about the animation and visual effects industry, something I had never even thought about before.
The idea of creating films through animation felt magical. I wasn’t a trained artist, but I had always loved sketching and had even won some school-level painting competitions. A bit of Googling led me to Toonz Academy. What I liked most was that it offered a short-term animation course. It felt like a no-risk opportunity to explore something new. That decision ended up changing my life.
My Life at Toonz Academy
From day one, Toonz Academy opened up a new world for me. I learned the basics of both 2D and 3D animation. I still remember spending hours drawing ‘Stubby’ in different poses and using a torch to simulate movement. Watching those sketches
come alive was nothing short of thrilling. What I took away from Toonz Academy was more than technical knowledge. I gained lifelong friends, confidence in my abilities, and a solid foundation that would help me adapt to any studio environment, anywhere in the world.
My First Break
Thanks to Toonz Academy’s placement program, I started my professional journey at Prasad Studios in Chennai. My very first project was Where the Wild Things Are, directed by Spike Jonze. I was blown away by the scale and professionalism of a creative studio. That experience opened doors to many others. I worked on several high-profile Indian and international projects, including parts of the Harry Potter series and Ra.One with Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment.
The Leap to Global Studios
My next big move was to MPC VFX, where I got the chance to work on massive titles like Night at the Museum, Godzilla, Maleficent, Exodus, Cinderella, and The Jungle Book. I’ll never forget holding the Oscar trophy after The Jungle Book won Best Visual Effects. Later Life of Pi also got Oscars. That was a full-circle moment for me.
Moving to Australia
I later moved to Australia and joined Iloura Studios, known for their work on Game of Thrones. From there, I contributed to films like John Wick, Underworld, and Tomb Raider. When Iloura was acquired by Method Studios, and later merged with Framestore, I continued working on epic projects like Aquaman, Men in Black, Mortal Kombat, and The Conjuring.
What I’ve Learned
To every young dreamer reading this, technology will change, but your imagination and creativity will always be your greatest strengths. Don’t be afraid of AI or new tools. Learn them, use them. The real skill is adaptability. Software evolves, but the art of storytelling remains timeless.
Toonz Academy Was My Turning Point
Whenever I visit Kerala, I make it a point to drop by Toonz Academy, the place that gave me the wings to fly. I still keep in touch with my batchmates, including Hari Narayanan, one of the finest animators I know.
If you’re passionate about animation or dreaming of a VFX career, there’s no better place to start than Toonz Academy. They helped me find my purpose, and they can help you find yours too.
Ready to Begin Your Journey?
Toonz Academy isn’t just an animation institute in Kerala, it’s where careers begin, friendships form, and dreams take shape. Explore industry-aligned animation courses, benefit from alumni placement, and get ready to enter the world of animation jobs and VFX careers. Enroll now or connect with the Toonz Academy admissions team to find the right course for you. Trust me, your story could be the next one worth telling.
From Kerala to Weta FX: How Toonz Academy Helped Me Build a Global Career in Animation
by Harinarayan Rajeev
Harinarayan Rajeev is a VES Award-winning and Annie Awards-nominated animation professional with nearly 20 years of experience in high-end animation and visual effects. Over his illustrious career, he has held key roles, including Animation Supervisor, Lead Animator, and Senior Animator, at top studios like WetaFX, Sony Pictures Imageworks, DNEG, MPC, DreamWorks Animation, and Industrial Light & Magic. Renowned for his versatility and leadership, Harinarayan has contributed to iconic productions such as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Finch, House of the Dragon: Season 2, Superman, Kingdom of the Planet of Apes, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and Penguins of Madagascar. He has led global teams of 80+ animators, played a central role in developing standout characters like Jeff (Finch), Carnage (Venom 2), Spot (Spider-Verse), and Baby Kowalski (Penguins), and helped shape animation pipelines across studios. In 2025, he was honored by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan and received a special mention on Mann Ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his global
contributions to animation and VFX.
Harinarayan Rajeev shares the story of his life, how it all began, the defining moments that shaped his creative path, and the passion that fuelled his rise in the world of animation and visual effects.
Jurassic Beginnings: The Moment It All Started
I think the moment I decided to become an artist or creator traces back to when I first watched Jurassic Park as a kid. It completely blew my mind. The dinosaurs felt real, the world was immersive, and for the first time, I realized how powerful visual storytelling could be. It wasn’t just a movie, it felt like a window into another reality. That experience left a deep impression on me and planted the seed for my creative
journey.
Foundations in Motion: Learning the Art of Animation at Toonz Academy
My time at Toonz Academy in Trivandrum, Kerala was a foundational part of my journey as an artist. I enrolled in short-term courses in both 2D and 3D animation, and those months were incredibly transformative for me, not just in terms of technical skills, but in how I viewed the animation industry.
The faculty at Toonz were not only experienced professionals but also passionate mentors who took the time to guide us individually. They didn’t just teach software or techniques they helped us understand the principles behind movement, timing, storytelling, and character design. Whether it was traditional 2D animation or working with various softwares, they emphasized the importance of observation, patience, and creativity.
Toonz Academy played a huge role in shaping my mindset as an artist. It helped me move from simply being curious about animation to seriously pursuing it as a career. It gave me a strong base to build on and inspired me to keep learning, evolving, and telling stories through motion.
Animating Fundamentals: Where My Journey Took Shape
Toonz Academy played a key role in helping me build a strong foundation in animation. The structured approach of the courses, especially in both 2D and 3D animation, gave me clarity on the fundamentals things like timing, spacing, squash and stretch, and how to bring life to characters. These weren’t just theoretical concepts, we were encouraged to apply them through constant practice and short assignments, which made learning more hands-on and engaging.
One of the most impactful aspects of the curriculum was how it balanced creative exploration with industry relevance. We weren’t just learning software, we were taught how animation works as a visual language, how to study movement, and how to tell stories through motion. That kind of mindset shift really strengthened my understanding and gave me a professional outlook early on.
The environment itself was incredibly supportive. Being surrounded by passionate instructors and peers created a motivating atmosphere. The feedback sessions and critiques were especially valuable. Overall, Toonz gave me both the technical base and the creative mindset I needed to grow as an animator. It gave me the confidence to pursue projects beyond the classroom and eventually explore the industry with a clearer vision.
The New Creative Era: Opportunity, Access, and Independence
Today, young people have more opportunities than ever before to enter the creative industry. Whether it’s animation, game design, filmmaking, illustration, or content creation, there are countless online resources, tutorials, and communities to learn from and collaborate with. One of the biggest changes in recent years is how the entertainment landscape is vastly evolving. New arenas are opening up almost daily be it in virtual production, interactive media, AR/VR, or AI-assisted creativity. This means that creative’s no longer have to follow one traditional path, they can carve out their own space based on their interests and skills.
This is also the best time for indie creators. You no longer need to depend solely on big studios or established companies for employment. With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Patreon, and various marketplaces, it’s entirely possible to be your own boss, build your own brand, and reach global audiences from your own workspace. That freedom can be both empowering and rewarding if approached with consistency and vision.
My advice to anyone starting out would be this: focus on learning the fundamentals, but don’t wait for permission to start creating. Build your portfolio, collaborate with others, put your work out there, and stay curious. The creative industry rewards those who keep experimenting, adapting, and telling authentic stories,so be patient, persistent, and most importantly, passionate about what you do.
