Concept
Initial idea development and creative foundation
Overview
Animation Industry Overview
Section titled “Animation Industry Overview”Introduction to Animation
Section titled “Introduction to Animation”Chris introduces himself as an animated movie maker and welcomes viewers interested in the world of animation. The course aims to accomplish two main goals:
- Teach the animation process: Understanding how animated films are created from concept to screen
- Encourage exploration: Inspiring interest in working within the animation industry
What Makes Animation Special
Section titled “What Makes Animation Special”Animation requires viewers to think beyond just watching a movie. Consider your favorite animated film - whether it’s Spider-Verse or Hotel Transylvania - and think about:
- How those characters were created
- The movements and gestures that bring them to life
- The lip sync and technical details
- The underlying concepts and creative decisions
The Collaborative Nature of Animation
Section titled “The Collaborative Nature of Animation”Animation stands out as “one of the most collaborative art forms in the world.” While some people express creativity visually, there are many other ways to contribute to storytelling through animation.
Team Composition and Duration
Section titled “Team Composition and Duration”- Project timeline: Teams work together for “three plus years” on a single project
- Team compatibility: Important to find people who are “of similar minds” and enjoy working together
- Diverse skill sets: Production designers, editors, artists, performers, writers, designers, software developers
The course features talent from:
- Sony Pictures Animation
- Sony Pictures Image Works
- Various specialized roles within the industry
The Animation Pipeline
Section titled “The Animation Pipeline”The pipeline is a fundamental term in animation that describes how an animated project flows from original idea to finished film. Think of it as an idea “surging its way through various departments” and “growing in scope and scale along the way.”
Pipeline Characteristics
Section titled “Pipeline Characteristics”- Long duration: “It is something that runs for a long time”
- Iterative process: Continuous refinement and improvement
- Large scale: End credits show “hundreds and hundreds of names” - all these people have a place within the pipeline
Four Main Pipeline Segments
Section titled “Four Main Pipeline Segments”Pre-Production
Planning and preparation phase
Production
Main creation and animation work
Post-Production
Final editing and completion
The course acknowledges this won’t be “an exhaustive look around every corner in the process” but will provide “a birds eye view of how we make an animated project.”
This introduction establishes animation as a highly collaborative, long-term creative process that offers numerous entry points for people with different skills and interests. The pipeline concept provides a framework for understanding how complex animated projects move from initial concept to final product.