Directorblog #2

So, I feel a bit stupid. As I gaze at the exciting view of the apartment building from my office window.

I think I started these blog entries a little too soon - I thought that, by now, the studio would have made certain announcements regarding myself and the producer. I admit, I jumped the gun a little. But notice, I still haven't said what I am working on or even what studio I am at...some people have 'claimed to have found out some things', but nothing's official until it's official, eh? ;)

In any case, work proceeds apace, even though I can't share any real details yet. I have a great story crew and we are rapidly getting the story reels up in editorial.

For those of you unfamiliar with this process - animated films are edited in pre-production rather than in post-production....why? Because they are so dang expensive. You don't want to have very much "extra footage" in animation and there is no such thing as coverage. So the story crew in animation is essential in pre-visualizing the film - they are much more important than in live action, because they do more than just block out the shots and camera work - they add to the writing, they add to the acting. Their drawings have to evoke emotion, because their work is the first version of the film that we see, that the execs see, etc.

Unfortunately not a single piece of story artwork ever makes it to the final film, as it's all just a blueprint of rough sketches - and sometimes some of those casual sketches are much more appealing than the finished rendered frames! However, their real work - their ideas - are what get translated over and remain for all time. All hail the story crew! :) When things are more official I hope to be posting some story art from the film. Until then, apologies and patience, please!