Rosaline Babayan: Armenia is growing a creative generation

Rosaline Babayan, a 3D animator of Armenian descent who took part in the creation of Kungfu Panda and Monsters vs Aliens TV series by Nickelodeon is currently in Yerevan.

Australia-based 3D animator has cooperated with TeamBondi and Rockstar Games and is now teaching animation in Sydney.

Rosaline Babayan is conducting a 3-week 3D animation class for 30 Armenian teenagers at Tumo Center for Creative Technologies.

Itel.am had an exclusive interview with Rosaline Babayan.

- What changes do you see in your homeland upon your return 4 years later?

- I came to Yerevan in 2011, but it was like a short holiday. This time is obviously different because I came to teach in Tumo.

A lot of things have changed in Yerevan in these 4 years. It is more advanced.

So far I noticed that Internet is very much spread here. I had no Internet issues during my stay here which is really impressive. I like that the students know how to use the latest tech trends. Even in Australia I often have to remind the students” Your school provides you this so use it”. Because it is disappointing if equipments have been provided but you don't use it.

Tumo just impressed me. I found TUMO unique because it is 'free' for students. In Sydney there are colleges and universities with all these technical stuff but I don't know of any center like this for kids in Sydney and it's not going to be common to have such a center for 'free.

- What are Armenian teenagers keen on 3D animation like?

- Tumo is partially wonderful because of the students. There are nearly 30 students in my class in Tumo. There are two groups. They have 3 sessions per week. It’s pretty intense because I usually have 1 session in Australia.

I should confess a technical and creative generation is growing in Armenia. I want to see how these young people will work in 5-10 years.

My aim and wish is to see them in Armenia. It’s not necessary to go out. I’m spending lots of time here to understand the industry and find ways to encourage them stay here and work.

I often tell them that. “Stay here. Armenia is not like Sydney which is far from very many places. It’s close to Europe, Middle Eastern countries and Asia”.

Huge advantage of Armenia is that you may have less competition here. In other places competition is huge. It’s not like if you go to Sydney someone will knock your door and say hey, we have a job for you. You have to chase it up. Maybe the fact that you are not able to get anything here you have to find out why. Maybe you are not educated enough. 

My students have done job that was almost impossible in only 3 weeks. It’s something that my other students in Australia may have done in 6-8 weeks. And one of the main reasons to return here for me will actually be my students. Hopefully I will come back and take them to next levels.

I like my students to use the latest technological trends. In Yerevan I didn’t need to tell my students that for my workshop I need a mouse that will have 3 buttons. That’s something basic for 3D animation but I usually have to tell that. 

I am giving my example to my students. I have been in industry for about 10 years both animating and lecturing. And I tell them that if I had a nice offer from an Armenian company I would take it. My biggest challenge is that in Australia I have jobs that I really like and I have to balance it out which can be really challenging.

- Recently, a number of companies offering 3D solutions started operating in Armenia. What do you know about the local market?

- The things in the sector are a lot more developed than I could even imagine. There is a lot of potential not only for the training but also for directly working with those companies.

Every company that I heard about or was able to meet was quite different. They must be similar but actually quite different. I have watched some games from Frismos, Plexonic and they were really interesting. I introduced them to my students too. What was interesting, students didn’t know about those games. For some of those games they told that they think are Australian games but I said no, it’s Yerevan and they were surprised.

I am extremely interested in Triada company and heard a lot about them. It’s a world class company. I will try to keep in touch with them online and meet them during my next visit here. I can’t wait to learn more about them. It is one of the company’s so many people tell me about.

I already talked to an Armenian student who studies 3D animation online in a good animation school. She was asking an advice from me what to do and where to go. And I am glad to know her as she is a great example of someone who are not that many. If I had to contact local companies I would recommend them to hire that girl as there are a few like her. She was wondering where to go as she felt there’s not much to be done in Armenia. But I told her that actually there are a lot of opportunities. I’m here for 2 weeks but I already know a lot of companies here and what they do. Yes it’s not easy but it’s not easy anywhere in the world.

I feel like to do more and I am looking to be part of future projects here in Armenia.

I have a suggestion. Yerevan can have a creative festival to showcase latest creative artworks. Yerevan would become a hub where people would visit to see the new products. It can not only bring money to the country but also show the Armenian culture and innovative thinking to the world.

Narine Daneghyan talked to Rosaline Babayan.