How Is An Animation Film Made?
An animation film is quite different from other types of films. It’s not like a feature length movie, or even a short movie. It’s more like a series of one-minute cartoons that are tied together into a longer story.
In fact, some say it’s better to think about them as short stories because of this. This way you don’t have to worry about things like plot, characters, or narrative flow being broken up by outstretches of time.
Animated movies usually start with a script. Then animators begin creating scenes for the movie. These scenes are typically shot in stages where they draw what the character looks like, talk, do something else, etc., before moving onto the next scene. Some people call these shots “storyboards” due to their similarity.
After all the scenes are put together, editors take notes on each individual scene to make sure everything makes sense and flows well together. They also find places to cut in and out so that the audience doesn’t get distracted or feel there’s too much silence.
At this stage, the film begins to look more like a cartoon than a still photo. If you remember my article about The Animator, you may have seen examples of this!
Once completed, the film is mixed down to audio tracks and then sent off to be edited and finalized.
Writing a script
Scripts are probably the most important part of any animation project, even more so than designing the movie or drawing the pictures. A screenplay is how you tell someone what your story is and it can be done in many different ways.
Most people start writing scripts by creating a main character and setting up a narrative for them to follow. They will usually create a plot at this stage and work from there.
That’s not a bad place to start, but it’s only half of the process! The other half is getting into the storyline and developing characters. Once these two things have been completed, then you can write the actual scripting.
Characterization is one of the most integral parts of storytelling. People are interested in stories because they want to learn about themselves through the experiences of the protagonist.
If you’re looking to get into screenwriting, don’t worry about being too detailed with every aspect of the film. Generalize some features and focus more on who the person is outside of their job.
For example, if your lead is very professional and like taking care of others, then the audience will infer that he/she is a good leader. If the audience feels connected to the protagonist, then they will also connect with the rest of the cast and crew.
Screenwriters should always consider the effect their words will have and whether they are worth the price.
Casting the film
The next step in creating your movie is to find the cast! This is perhaps the most important part of the process as you will spend a lot of time working with these people, so it is very important that you get their trust and like them, thus ensuring they keep up with their commitments.
You want to make sure they are able to perform their roles effectively, so it is best to meet face-to-face at least once before bringing anyone into the production circle for longer meetings or filming. This way, you can be certain they will show up and give their all.
It’s also helpful if you know some basics about their personal lives, such as whether they have children or not, how much money they earn, etc., but beyond that, don’t worry about things too heavily. If there is something you think could affect their performance, ask if they would feel comfortable addressing that during filming, but otherwise try to stay focused on what they do for a living and whatever talents they possess.
Your script should tell everyone’s story, so only focus on who they are as individuals aside from the role they play in the narrative. You want to make sure their individual stories arc together to form a complete picture, which is why it is crucial to invest in each person prior to meeting as a source of information, not just as an actor.
Planning the shoot
Once the director has signed off, it’s time to start planning your shot list! This is typically done through a storyboard process, where you can add in all of the shots and assignments that will make up your film.
A lot of times, writers won’t be involved until later stages of production because they want to see how the scenes play out before writing for them. That’s totally fine, but as a writer, you should at least know what your movie looks like so you can begin brainstorming ideas.
For animators, this is where the fun begins! You get to explore different styles, genres, and approaches to storytelling to find one that fits yours best.
There are many ways to approach each scene, from tight close-ups with very little background noise to longer takes with lots of detail. Some even use a combination of both! It really depends on what effect you want to achieve and what style feels natural to you as an artist.
At The Mill, we have our own unique way of approaching every scene which helps us create some great stories.
Organizing the set
The next step in animation production is to organize what will be used to create your movie. This includes gathering all of the characters, setting up any costumes or props that are needed, and organizing the background scenery.
The most common way to start filming an animated movie is by creating a grid of sets. Each individual scene has its own unique set until you run out of space or things get too crowded.
After deciding where each scene will take place, then comes choosing whether it’s going to be outdoors or indoors. You also need to make sure there is enough light for proper exposure.
Then, the artists begin drawing inspiration from the settings to find ideas for how the characters could fit into the environment.
Directing the film
As with any kind of movie, directing a feature length animation film is a lot of work! There are many different positions in the filmmaking process where you can direct someone or something else’s actions, but as the director, your job goes beyond that.
You get to pick what stories to tell, how to tell them, and who will play which characters. You determine all of this not only for yourself, but also for the other people involved in making the film.
There are sometimes limitations to this power, though- like when someone more experienced than you comes along and takes over a scene that you wrote, filmed, and paid money to make. No one is guaranteed their own screen time, however, and if the producer feels that you aren’t giving enough attention to your department’s tasks, then maybe it’s time to find another career.
Editing the film
After filming all of the scenes for your movie, it is time to edit the film! The editor takes input from the director and the directorship team about what they want to get rid of or change in the film.
The editor then re-shapes and edits the footage into new pieces or cuts of the film that convey this information. For example, if the director wants to show more emotion than usual, the editor may cut closer shots of them talking so that you feel their intensity.
If there are too many or too few parts in a scene, the editor will add or take away pieces to make things seem better. They also choose where to start and stop a shot depending on how the camera is set up and whether or not the needed information is included.
Once everything is chosen, the editor mixes and matches the different pieces together to create the finished product. This process is repeated several times until the final movie has nothing left to be edited with.
Marketing your film
After production, the next major milestone is marketing! This can be done through various mediums such as social media, advertising, producing promotional materials and talking with potential audiences and watchers of the movie.
Marketing for an animation movie should focus on three main areas: telling people about the movie, finding new fans, and promoting the filmmakers or studios behind the movie.
Telling people about your movie is the most important part. You will not have success if no one knows you exist! Media coverage is great way to start this process, but it does not stop there.
Producing promotional material and distributing them is also very important. For example, many films will create merchandise such as t-shirts, hats, and other clothing items. These are sold either by the filmmaker or sponsored by companies that want to promote their product or service.
Distributing flyers, posters, and videos is another good way to spread the word. Many schools and community centers hold free screenings which are a perfect opportunity to advertise your movie. Your colleagues, friends, family, and anyone else who may know of interesting events being held could tell others about them.
Identifying your audience
An animation film is not just for kids! There are many ways to make animated films, so it is important to know who your target audience is before starting production. Who wants what out of an experience dependent upon how they expect the movie to be made and what kind of feel they want to get from watching it.
There are two main types of audiences that enjoy viewing animated movies- children and adults. As such, there are different strategies used in each area to appeal more to them.
For example, some features that are attractive to children are characters with lots of expression, bright colors, and interesting storylines. These all contribute to creating a feeling of happiness while watching the movie.
On the other hand, adult viewers like stories that are thought provoking and have substantial meanings. Features that appeal to this crowd include elaborate settings and narrative structures.
It is very important to consider the differences between these groups when choosing which styles to use in your own project.