HERE WE GO!
1) INTENSE READING
I try reading the brief SUPER HARD, making notes of things I have to get reference for and notes on questions I might have for the director/art director.
One thing that took me a while to learn was that I have to write stuff out even when it’s an idea of my own. And even when I think that I got it all figured out, just starting to draw often leaves me in the air somewhere in the story and I waste time doodling around.
2) Staring into space
Time to stare at a white wall and try to “see” everything play out.
It helps to get friendly Glucose in form of Nutella in your blood.
3) Get excited
Boring scene that only has dialogue and nothing happening? Make it fun with a burning dog, a UFO, faster cutting!
4) First pass
Draw everything out, quick and without it having to be pretty.
(It took me a while to learn to draw everything out first before heading into major scenes or shots. Having everything on the “page” helps me a lot later on when energy levels are lower and the day is getting longer)
5) INTENSE RELAXING
Doing something else gives new energy, makes the spouse happy and offers fresh eyes when returning to the project. Try not to play GTA V.
Or only two one mission.
6) DOUBT
Doubt everything and question if you could have chosen a better camera/staging etc.
Is everything flat? Is everything clear? Is everything fun? What is the viewer supposed to feel here? Where should their head be at? Should I take another Nutella break?
(These PDFs are hanging all over my wall as reminders)
7) MORE DRAWING
8) DESTROY
The first idea WAS better
9) Setting it up
Setting everything up, sorting sketches, files, folders.
Boring stuff that makes making animatics or revisions easier later on.
10) CLEAN UP!
11) SHADE IT UP!
12) ZzzZZ
This was all very long-winded and not that interesting.
I’m pretty sure this is the way most people on earth work, no real news here.
Forcing myself to follow things through is probably the most valuable lesson I learned recently.
Sketching and thumbnailing everything out before heading into more fun waters to work out that SUPER FUN SCENE!.
Thanks for reading!