Animation production is a multi-billion dollar industry that is growing at a rapid rate. Its market size was $80 billion in 2010, and is expected to grow to $270 billion by 2020. Between 2004 and 2013, animated feature-length films achieved the highest gross margin of all film genres. In the early 2020s, the animation industry continues to grow as it continues to appeal to the public. The flexible nature of animation allows for powerful emotional effects, and it has the potential to transcend reality.
Storyboard sketches
Animation production artists use storyboard sketches to visualize the action. They represent the key frames and shots in the animation and can incorporate technical details like dialogue notes. To ensure that the story flows smoothly, storyboard artists sketch out different angles and camera movements. It is also helpful to include action notes as well as dialogue notes in the storyboard.
A storyboard sketch helps to ensure the accuracy of the visuals, particularly for complicated projects with multiple stakeholders. It should also convey what’s happening in each frame, such as the characters and essential props. It can also show camera angles, camera movements, and transitions between shots.
In-between animation
In-between animation is a key component of creating an animated film. This process involves drawing “tween” frames between keyframes in order to smooth out motion. Traditional animation production starts with the primary artist drawing the key frames and testing the rough animation. Then, it passes down to the assistants who add breakdowns that define movement in greater detail. In-betweeners complete the process and the final product looks smoother and more realistic. This process is carried out manually or by software.
When an in-between animation production begins, the key animator provides the timing sheet that in-between animators follow. The key animator must plan every frame of a scene so that the in-between animators know how many frames are needed to complete a scene. A key animator will also create a timing chart for nonlinear elements that will require a certain number of in-between frames.
Voice-over artist
Choosing a voice-over artist is an important decision for the production of animation. It’s important to find someone who has experience working on different animation projects. You can search for a voice-over artist on freelance sites or online communities. For example, you can look at Voice123, Bunny Studio, or Upwork. You can also check Craigslist and other social media sites. LinkedIn and TikTok communities are also great places to find voice-over artists.
Once you’ve selected a voice-over artist, you’ll need to secure their availability for the session. Make sure to coordinate your schedules well in advance so that everyone is available at the same time. Having the voice-over artist in the same recording session will help the voice-over director direct the session more efficiently. This will help you avoid unnecessary revisions and errors caused by background noise or wrong intonation.