This term covers creative, business and technical components that make up the Animation Pre-Production, Production, Post Production, Marketing, Distribution and Exhibition Processes.  Now, who determines if an individual is a professional or not? 

I feel that the value of professional certification should be a collective action among animation educational institutions, the broad and robust animation industry and the end users within a given market.  Any unilateral judgment on the value of this professional certification is out of the question.

Like in the Philippines, if we give " exploitative outsourcing proponents" the power to  determine who is a professional and who is not, then we are   delivering our students to the mouths of crocodiles. Furthermore, these proponents are not qualified for they are not components of  a genuine animation industry but are sub-entities of an outsourcing industry.

An animation professional may refer to himself or herself as an artist or a craftsperson. But one thing is common to these two variants, both must practice ethical standards within a given guideline that is free from sexual/ gender harassment, unfair trade practices and oppressive labor traditions.

An animation professional does not practice exploitation to the 10th power...

cheers

Melchor DF. Escarcha
Forum Creative Director
Akira's Nightmare Original Content Animation Forum