Laying out those Layouts

In any type of film, advertisement, documentary or video project, a director or client will always have a visual image of what the project should look like on screen. But the sad reality of it is, others involved can’t see it… unless you can read minds, like a ninja To allow others to see that vision (without going too far in the development) is to create something that we call a layout. For those who are obsessed with special features on DVD’s you’ll know what I mean when I say how important this stage of the development is.

Okay, so right before the production and after the storyboards, we have layouts. The amazing thing about layouts is that you are not restricted to a certain medium - you can use, pictures, simple videos, drawings, web, 3d, toys, etc. One cool medium in particular is the animated storyboard, which is pretty much using the drawings from the storyboards, scanning them in the computer, cut them up digitally and animate them in 3d… the results can be amazing! If you want to see a good example check out the Ratatouille DVD, they have some good ones in there.

Here at AWF, we’re constantly making layouts for clients, we mainly create them in 3d or sometimes 2d in 3d :S Here’s a quick run down of the starting process I go through in order to keep everything under control. Learn what the client wants, draw storyboards, scan and edit in Adobe Preimere, show clients, make coffee, clients confirm, begin layouts. For me, it’s important to have the storyboard edit in adobe preimere so I can set the exact length of the duration in the 3d studio max timeline for each shot.

Now its time to animate the layouts, and depending on job, there are sometimes certain requirements that should be met in the layouts. For example the storyboard features a very important facial expression on a character, normally layouts wouldn’t need to go that far in terms of animation development, but for this particular job, it has to be expressed enough for the client to have an idea of what to expect. So a simple A to B animation is created for the character to help it become more understandable. Also it helps when it comes to the final animation, as I can use the exact timing of the expression.

The thing about layouts is that they aren’t time consuming and the one thing you should always be ready for is the big possibility of changes. A client would see the version you have finished, but didn’t like a shot or a change in the subject matter and would ask for alternations. These changes can vary from minor details to ones that require a shot makeover. Which is why you shouldn’t spend too much time adjusting small details like fingers, because you might have to scrap that shot and reanimate it in a completely different way.

In a sense, layouts are like trial and error, the unfortunate thing is that you have no say in preventing a possible change, unless you threaten to ninja stab them with scissors… but lets hope that’s never the case Remember layouts are used in any type of project, not just business work with clients, so get into the habit of using them, who knows how much it will help… alot! Argh!