Storyboards to Layout
/Layout for Speedman is complete.
The process of storyboarding and layout has been a real learning experience for me. I’m used to just animating shots after all the heavy lifting of story and layout has been figured out by other departments. Doing this myself helped me appreciate how many challenges come with constructing a full story.
Dovahbear never had a strong story- he was a simple bear running into obstacles and dealing with them to the best of his bear abilities. Making a cartoon like that was crafting visual jokes. While a 10-minute short film with structure is much more difficult to put together, it’s more rewarding.
My biggest hang up when translating a storyboard into 3d layout is the loss in quality. The storyboards are drawn to sell the idea, with strong poses and timing. Unless you spend too much time with layout, your shots will look dull. I have to remind myself, “This is for the camera and timing, things will come to life in animation.”
I spent too much time on certain shots in layout, almost making an animation blocking pass. It helped me lock down timing of shots, but it also took longer than it should.
The good new now is that layout is behind me, and my favorite part has already begun. Animation!
-bowz
