Week 1: Introduction to Pre-visualization (Previs)
What is previs? Why is it important? Learn about previs's place in the filmmaking process and its importance to telling a coherent story, before reviewing and analyzing three sample storyboarded sequences. Course overview and workshop expectations will be discussed.
Action: Select storyboarded sequence to use as inspiration for workshop project.
Week 2: Set Up & Work Flow
Having selected a segment of storyboard for a semester project, learn how to analyze a sequence and break it down to the required elements. This session will also cover planning and organizational tools/habits that help create efficient work sessions and a productive workplace environment.
Action: Create a breakdown document and plan out all elements needed for the sequence.
Week 3: Constraints
Proper setup of a scene is the foundation for making complex animations that are easily modified. Organizational techniques and simplified setups (constraints) that are the building blocks to iterate quickly will be discussed.
Action: Build the master scene with all assets organized for production.
Week 4: Animation in Previs vs. Final Animation
In previs, the artist needs to provide enough information through their character’s performance to motivate the camera. The mood or dramatic intent of the scene also needs to be clear. The differences between animation for previs and final animation, including the need to work quickly while leaving “room” for the animator to create the performance, will be discussed.
Action: Begin previs animation process.
Week 5: Camera Theory Part 1 - “I’m sorry Smokey, you were over the line…”
In this first of three sessions covering camera, the focus will be on the basics of composition; the line of action; and camera movement terminology.
Action: Refine blocking animation and start to add camera setups.
