Production – an example of a 2D pipeline
What happens when entering production phase on an animation film? Lets take a look at an example of a 2D pipeline.
When production starts on an animation film the script, animatic, designs etc. is locked down. This is done due to the fact that it is very expensive to change any of those things when first started on the production. The animators are then given specific backgrounds, shot lengths and clear instructions from the director. This eventually leads to a rough animation and later on to a more refined version, which is called a tie down. A clean up of the tie down is the finished line work that will appear in the film. Next step is colouring.
In an animation production there is usually an overlap between the production and postproduction. Therefore backgrounds and animation are handed over to a compositor as soon as they are finished. Compositing is a part of the postproduction and is where the different visual elements from separate sources are combined into a final look. Linking the production and postproduction together like that saves time and money.
In regard to The Story of Animation the different sequences have been divided between the animators. There is still a lot of work left. But the clean up process done on the rough animation comes along nicely which has a positive effect on the look, acting and story in general.
