Abstract

On October 14th 2010, I founded an animation cluster in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Toody Threedy (2D3D). It was created to bring together the animation community in Northern Ireland. We now have 60 members and continue to grow. We have been meeting once a month for the past eight months. I lived in California for almost 20 years and when I returned to Belfast 18 months ago, I discovered that the animation community were not engaging with each other which has stunted its growth. Using my Professorial position at the University of Ulster, I was able to create a neutral space where animators could come together and talk about issues affecting them on a daily basis, learn about each others skills and to open opportunities for all. It has been an enormous success and is now getting interest from government bodies.