Emotional cue? Showing an ac- tion? Check previous and following shots to make sure you're on target. 2. Set Your Goal.
Preparing To Animate Quick Start Guide
Presented By Nimble Collective
1. Analyze The Shot
Determine where your shot fits in the big picture. Establishing shot? Emotional cue? Showing an action? Check previous and following shots to make sure you’re on target.
2. Set Your Goal
What is the main goal of the shot? What is the “why” of the shot? By setting the goal you now have a target to shoot for in finding materials that support the goal.
3. Take Notes
What details are important? What steps will you need to do to accomplish the goal of the shot? Take copious notes and organize them in a way you can easily reference.
4. Watch Reference
The Inetenet is a treasure trove of video reference. But if you can’t find it online, take your own reference. Act out a scene, walk funny, show emotion whatever you need, film it.
5. Brainstorm
Now that you have a baseline - GO WILD! Think of all the ways you can reach your goal, even in ways you may never even use. By pushing boundaries you may find an even better approach to your shot.
Tools Of The Trade
Mural.ly
- https://mural.co This virtual white board is the one Jason uses in his ‘Preparing For Animation’ blog post. http://nimblecollective. com/preparing-for-animation/
Stormboard
- https://stormboard.com Another option for all your virtual whiteboard and sticky note needs.
YouTube
- https://www.youtube.com A veritable smorgasboard of video reffference. Chances are, if somone has animated it, there’s reference up on YouTube.
Vimeo
- https://vimeo.com Another great resource for video reference, as many animators prefer Vimeo as their platform of choice.
“Give yourself permission to prepare.”
“Alieve any guilt you have about spending time up front, because it will save you so much more time in the long run. Plus, you won’t feel guilty.” ~ Jason Schleifer Jason Schleifer has over 20 years experience in the Animation Industry ranging from 12 years at Dreamworks Animation as Head of Animation (Peabody & Sherman, Megamind), Supervising animator (Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa) and Animator (Madagascar, Penguins Christmas Caper, Over the Hedge, Shrek the Third). Prior to Dreamworks, Schleifer was at Weta Digital for the Lord of the Rings Trilogy as both a Character Technical Director and Animator. Currently Jason is co-founder of Nimble Collective - a company dedicated to enabling creators from around the world to create, collaborate, and prosper with their own animated content.
