Pre-Visualization Workshop
Help filmmakers plan complex visual effects and animated sequences for
major motion pictures before actual Film shooting
Cantonese
Face-to-Face
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.
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.
What you will learn
In Previsualization Basics for Animators you’ll build on your existing animation abilities by: learning how to read a script, planning a sequence, experimenting with cameras, and adding temporary effects. By the end of this workshop, you will have taken part of a script and created your own previs sequence!
Once you’ve finished our workshop, you’ll have learned the following skills:
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How to read a script and plan out a visual sequence with clear story points
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The basics of cinematography and how to work with different cameras to create a coherent visual style
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How to work fast and efficiently to animate quickly, allowing you to get feedback from your animation lead or director early on
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Understand and translate the most essential parts of a story into your animation
Requirements
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Mac or PC capable of Running Blender Version 3.0 or above
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Previsualization Basics for Animators requires you to have a working knowledge of, and experience with, Blender
Who this course is for:
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This course allows a director, cinematographer, production supervisor, or VFX supervisor to experiment with different staging and art direction options—such as lighting, camera placement and movement, stage direction and editing—without having to incur the costs of actual production.
