Simon Mark. Producing Independent 2D Character Animation: Making And Selling

Focal Press, 2003. — 432 p. — (Focal Press Visual Effects and Animation). — ISBN: 0240805135.Producing Independent 2D Character Animation takes an in-depth look at the artistry and production process of cel animation in a friendly, how-to manner that makes the sometimes tedious process of animation enjoyable and easy to understand. This book guides animators through every step of planning and production; includes examples of actual production forms, organization tips, screen shots, and sketches from the pre- to post-production processes; and contains detailed information on the hardware and software used to complete each step.
By mapping out the course of how his small studio brainstormed, created, then produced its award-winning animation, Timmy'S Lessons in nature, mark Simon explains to animators what it takes-both creatively and resource-wise-to get their animations to market.Before We Get Started
Frame Rate
Time versus Footage
DPI versus Pixels
Scenes
File Organization
Tricks of the Trade
Supplies, Hardware, and Software
Production Crew
Pre-Production
The In-House Pitch
Character Design
Story and Storyboards
Budget
Crewing Up
Revised Storyboards
Layouts
Production
Directing Dialogue
Audio Recording and Editing
Animatics
Animation Breakdowns, Slugging, or Timing
Audio Breakdowns
Assigning Production Work
Key Animation
Rotoscoping
Animation
Pencil Tests
Enhanced Animatics
Backgrounds
Inbetweens
Clean-Ups
Scanning
Digital Ink and Paint
Composite and Export of Individual Layers
Camera Moves and Special Effects
Final Image Composite
Post-Production
Title Cards
Credits
Editing
Music and Sound Design
Final Composite with Audio and Output to Tape or Film
What Next?
Copyright
Festivals
Online
Pitching to a Studio, Network, or Distributor
Portfolio Piece
Interviews
Craig McCracken, Creator of The Powerpull Girls
Bill Plympton, Academy Award–Nominated Independent Animator
Craig “Spike” Decker of Spike & Mike’s Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation
Linda Simensky, Senior Vice President of Original Animation at Cartoon Network
Rachelle Lewis, Director of Recruitment for Klasky Csupo
Tom Sito, Co-Director of Osmosis Jones
David Fine and Alison Snowden, Academy Award–Winning Producers of Bob and Margaret