We will teach students the fundamentals of staging, pacing, layout, camera and scene setup. The objective is to get the students comfortable and confident with translating pre-established storyboards into a working, coherent 3D sequence.

 

 

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.

 

2. Introduction to Pre-visualization (Previs)

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

5. Cameras in Previs and in a Real Environment

We’ll cover the differences between a real camera vs. a CG camera and why it’s important to keep it “real” to tell the complete story.

Action: Refine blocking animation and start to add camera setups.

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6. Lighting & Rendering

Analyze basic lighting setups and learn how this powerful tool can add emotion and affect to the tone of a film.

Action: Add lighting and begin beauty renders of shots.

 

7. Delivering a Previs Sequence

In this final session, we’ll put everything we’ve learned into one final sequence.