Pre-Production

This blog will be used as a diary for my work on the Pre-Production module of my course MA Digital Character Animation.

Concept Statement:

Module Guidelines:

The guideline for the Project Research and Pre-Production module states that, the intention of the module is to develop original ideas and complete the appropriate pre-production elements for the final project of the MA Digital Character Animation course.

Aims and Objectives:

The objective of the pre-production and project work is to research relevant animation formats, for web distribution and the state of that market. Create and develop an original concept for an animated series, design and model two characters, rig and skin one of the characters, create environment assets for an office space, drawing storyboards and time out animatics for three episodes, create animation references and perform tests on the character rigs and animation.

Project Format:

The final project will consist of two to three, one minute episodes for an animated web-series. The animation and all assets will be created using 3D Studio Max. The art and texture style will be highly stylized and the animation style will be exaggerated and cartoony. The series is a comedy based around an office space and the stories are built upon character interactions in a group environment.

Pre-Production Elements:

The elements that will be created for this module are;

• Research on web-series format and market.
• Written treatment for five episodes.
• Written outline for three episodes.
• Art direction of development sketches, concept artwork and design.
• Storyboards for three episodes.
• Animatic for three episodes.
• Reference footage.
• 3D assets for an office space (relevant to the stories).
• Rig, texture and animation tests.
• Production schedule and plan.