StarGaze Animation Studios: Exhilarating Animator in Creative Studios that Cater Designs to Reality
Over the past years, the animation industry has grown by leaps and bounds. People think that the things which can’t be achieved in real life can be imagined and portrayed via virtual media. Hence, the Most Valuable CEO of StarGaze Animation Studios, Mr. Santosh Yadav uplifts the market of animation techniques along with a diverse range of 3D and 2D animation & VFX media.
We, at Business Connect Magazine, are glad to conduct a full-fledged series of questionnaires that are amazingly answered by the founder of StarGaze Animation Studios. In this series of the conversation, Mr. Yadav shares his escapade of experiences into the creative industry.
Please walk us through your company profile and your services?
We are Stargaze Animation, a full-fledged young animation studio. Based in Mumbai, India, we specialize in 3D – 2D Animation & Pre-Production work that renders services in various entertainment platforms. Our top-notch services are Creating Animation, Creative Digital Content on various Media, and Consumer Platform for kids and families across the world. We strongly believe that “If you cannot read and catch up with the current trend, your future is oblivious”
How do you feel you are different from your competitors?
I strongly believe that “Competitors never kill your business, your lack of preparedness for what customers want, does”.
So in my opinion, “Learn from your Audience”. As you know the animation contents are loved by all age group especially by kids. So, we need to adapt every change, learn from this digital wave, and update our content strategy with more current trends, adding more value in terms of creativity and active imagination.
And while you’re at it, learn about your top three competitors who are in the same segment. Look for Differences and Similarities; approach your set of audience/Subscribers from a completely different angle. Hereafter, you’ll discover a unique way to position yourself that you have never imagined. Trust me, the upside is huge.
Did you see any transformation happening for start-ups, over the years in your field?
The animation industry has evolved a lot in the past decade. It is now one of the most popular and growing industries in the whole world. As an emerging industry, its expansion has created a special interest in the people who want to create animated content.
Industry giants like Pixar, DreamWorks, etc. have already shown their tremendous work and have inspired others to contribute to this industry. In India, the animation industry has boomed within a span of five years. The VFX and CGI used in movies such as Baahubali is a perfect example that the animation industry has established its roots in the heart of the audiences.
Did everything come easy, or you have your story of struggle?
Nothing Ever Comes Easy, we need to learn from our Struggles and Challenges, these are the things, which make us strong in life. So you can say that I have my own struggles, frustration, fears along with my hopes, Goals, and Dreams. I am born and brought up in a city of Dreams, Mumbai, with a really big family. My father was a serviceman in Exide Batteries (happily retired now).
Our Family budget was fairly tight when I was growing up. Well, the struggle started when I was just 17 years old. Anyhow, I completed my 12th then I decided to study and do a part-time job so that I can support my family. I took up a marketing job that involved selling policies and got enrolled at a night college to complete my graduation. After graduation, started working at call centers as well. I was juggling between two jobs at the same time.
Marketing in the daytime and call centers till 2 in the morning. And on Sundays, I used to learn new skills, this is how I completed my Diploma in Graphics and started applying for jobs in production, animation. It took 6 months to get a job and finally after 6 months I got a call from UTV toons (Animation Studio) and this is how I entered the Animation Industry. Then from UTV to other various companies and finally, I got my dream position at Prime Focus as the AVP – Animation Department.
Everything was going well but still something was missing in spite of having a good salary and position, I felt very stagnant. For me, Growing and Exploring new ideas were very important in life. And then the ‘Entrepreneurial Keeda’ came into my mind. It was not that easy to leave your dream job and start again from scratch after all you have a lot of EMIs and Commitments.
One quote that hit my Mind “Risk Na Lena bhi Sabse Bada Risk Hota Hai”. In 2014, I decided to turn my business idea into reality. I started working from home and within a year, we rented a small office in Mumbai. It was very challenging among the other big players “When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of the two things: There will be ground to stand or you will grow wings to fly.”
Nothing was easy from managing finances, talent acquisition, YouTube’s changing algorithms everything had to be managed. Our channel when finally started getting some traction and monetization, it was terminated due to YouTube’s changing algorithm. That was the lowest point of this journey. But we started again and here we are having 1+ million subscribers, working with International clients on various IP and delivering approx. 90 minutes of Animation every month.
How necessary do you feel is it to keep your employees content, how do you ensure it?
Employees are the biggest asset for any organization and it’s very crucial that we keep them engaged and motivated. Our work culture enables this as each team member gets an opportunity to be independent and creative in his own way.
What kind of clients do you serve any special mentions?
We aim to educate and entertain children around the world. Education is for all, and our aim is to educate every child. Every child is our client.
Who is your role model in the business/entrepreneurial world and what have you learnt from the person?
Steve Job has always been my role model and these are the few things in business and life lessons, I learned from biographies and Interviews of him, here they are:
- Learn from the Best.
- Let everything be your teacher.
- Passion is Essential to Success.
- Question everything.
- Hire the best people for you.
- Believe in the Power of technology to change the world…and lastly
- “If You Are Working On Something That You Really Care About, You Don’t Have To Be Pushed. The Vision Pulls You.”
What does the future hold for the company?
Well, it’s probably going to be one of the new platforms. Now, there are many platforms emerging today. There are many small studios producing what they call ‘short-form content’ possibly for the internet or other platforms yet to be invented. It’s one of those things where the future is uncertain. But there’s going to be a future there’s no doubt about that. Since media is pretty much a part of everybody’s life today.
Lastly, what message would you like to give to the readers of the Business Connect magazine?
This World Belongs to the Dreamer!!
“Expand your boundaries. Learn to see beyond the limitations that seem real, and empower yourself to push past those boundaries. Actions always speak louder than words. As you live from your highest and best self, others will be inspired to do the same. What you do and how you do it sets an example others will follow, whether you know it or not. Your life is your message, and it will be heard”.
I like to express my Gratitude and Thanks towards my dear family, friends and my Super Stargaze Team!
