Animation is the process of bringing drawings, models or computer-generated characters and scenes to life on the screen. The Animation departments described below plan and create animated sequences, while also assisting with background design and production coordination.
The Production Office on a production includes the Production Coordinator, Production Manager, Producer, and Production Assistant. The production office coordinates many aspects of the production.
It is the core of information distribution to the relevant departments including the distribution of progress reports, script changes, storyboard creation, asset creation and shot creation. Each person in production would be in daily contact with the Directors, Art Directors, CG Supervisors and Post Production to make sure the entire production team was meeting its schedule and deadlines.
The animation department is responsible for animating any cg objects, characters or creatures within a shot. They will take the motionless Animation Rigs from Rigging and give them personality or a sense of life. An animator will use the Rigs from the Rigging department to build a believable performance, that will capture memorable and believable characters that drive the key moments of the script, and ultimately meets with the directors approval.
Animators tend to be on the more artistic side, they need to have an intuitive understanding of weight timing and movement. An animator needs extensive knowledge of the animation principles and character acting. They also need to be able to portray personality and specific moments of emotion through their animation. This requires them to have the sensibilities of both an actor as well as having an eye for aesthetics in motion.
There will be a lot of emphasis on the quality of the performance. Directing actors is a Directors natural territory and they will often have lots of feedback and comments for the animation department, so animators need to be able to work flexibly to address very subtle comments quickly and to very high standards.
The 2D Art Department, under the direction of the Art Director, works to deliver the vision of the Production Design. The department is responsible for all aspects of the design of the production, including character design set design, set dressing, props, and graphic design. The 2D Art Department encompasses a broad range of skill set from the very much creative to technical and management skills.
The range of skills in this department requires the ability to conceptualize and communicate scripts and director’s thoughts visually. To work in the art department, you should have a good sense of 3D spacial awareness, and an idea on how design works aesthetically in motion. You need to be very good at working as part of a team, able to take direction, communicate clearly and have a high level of diligence and care when on set.
The Compositing department mainly consists of technical directors and FX artists. They work closely with the Directors, Art Directors, Production Team, Post Production Team, and Supervisors making sure that quality standards are met, within budget and to deadline. They identify problems and presenting solutions appropriate to schedule and budget.
This team is key to combining all elements of the animation and production together to make sure the final product is hitting high quality industry standards. This could including matching digital mattes, FX, animation, lighting and colour grading so that the entire production is uniformed and hitting the Directors vision.
The Post Production department is responsible for picture editing, VFX and matching with sound editing, sound effects and music. The department doesn’t just work during post-production, it is also active during pre-production and editing together animatics from Storyboard work.Editors collaborate closely with the directors, CG Supervisors, VFX leads and Art Directors. The Department consists of a Editors, and a Post Production team.
To work in this department, you need a strong understanding of story and structure, and a passion for storytelling. While the roles in this department are largely creative, you will also need strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to plan the post-production workflow. The ability to be decisive is essential, as is the ability to work on your own initiative. Good communication, listening and interpersonal skills are important as well as the ability to stay calm and focused during a busy and demanding schedule
The 3D CG department, under the direction of the the CG Supervisor, VFX Supervisor and Art Directors, works to deliver the vision of the Production Design from 2D into CG and ready for Animation and Post Production. The department is responsible for all aspects of the CG build of the production, including characters, sets, set dressing, props, lighting and FX. The 3D CG Department encompasses a broad range of skill set from the very much creative to technical and management skills.
This department would have a subset of teams that include modelling teams, texturing teams, previsual and layout teams, lighting teams and FX teams encompassing the entire visual development of a production.