Direct animation productions
Overview
This Standard is about the process of directing animation during the entire production process including the direction of voice talent, if appropriate. The Director is looked to for guidance, leadership and of course direction on the overall concept, its theme, content, characters, narrative and visual style. It is essential that the Director can articulate his/her requirements to the entire creative and technical team. It is also incumbent upon the Director to encourage and make use of the professional skills and experience of each member of the team to ensure the agreed standard and quality of the production. This standard is for you if you direct animation productions.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
establish clear communication channels that meet production
requirements
- communicate your agreed vision and desired look of the
production to key people in the team
- articulate the aim of standards of work that match the available
budget and timescale
- communicate desired means of working and the importance of
team work with all team members
- allow sufficient time to enable team members to analyse how your
vision can be met by their expertise
- enable team members to discuss, review and develop ideas with
you at appropriate times
- make sure decisions about new developments regarding the
creative aspects of the production are communicated to all
relevant people, either by yourself or others as instructed
- ensure that any major changes agreed upon are recorded in
appropriate formats and distributed to relevant people
liaise with the producer at key points during production
identify where camera technique, lighting and design will relate to
the theme of the production
- ensure that those responsible for camera, lighting and visual
effects are aware of your plans and the effect that they will have
upon their work
- ensure, through your direction, that appropriate use is being made
of camera and lighting techniques during pre production and
production
- work with storyboard and pre-visualisation artists at appropriate
times to establish the mood, feel and style of cinematography
- liaise with appropriate people at regular intervals to ensure the
desired visual theme is being realised
- direct the work of performers and animators to ensure the
animation meets the brief
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
the principles of key animation and visual effects techniques
the key stages involved in developing animations
the dramatic essence of the production, its message or point, its
narrative structure, emotional significance and the relationships of
its principal characters and themes.
how to plan for and achieve effective material reuse
the budget, schedule and desired standard of the production
your relationship with the people commissioning the animation
the intended visual style for the production
the precise role of every major member of the creative team in
delivering and reinforcing the production
- how good, timely communication can contribute to productive
working relationships
- how the development of a unique signature style can impact on
the animation
- the impact the script, voice recording, sound editing, and music
can have on the production.
- the effects of camera positions, angles, lens types and lighting in
relation to objects and environments
the theory and importance of colour, lighting and cinematography
how to give direction to the people involved that will achieve your
desired effect in the production
how to analyse acting and performance
how to create a working atmosphere that encourages creativity
how to effectively work alongside all the people involved
the impact of cultural and linguistic differences when working with
animation directors in other countries.
- the difference between the ideal and the acceptable and when to
pass a shot in order to keep on schedule and budget