The Process

We like to take a handcrafted approach to our work.

This means we work on PCs, but the techniques we use have been passed down from the original animators at Disney and Warner Brothers.

If someone is animating in 2d, they’ll have a strong understanding of form and movement. If someone is animating in 3D, they’ll know how to get a performance full of personality out of their character.

We love animation and we always strive to show that in the work we do.

Here’s a simple guide on how to make an animated film in seven steps. We’ve used a few of our favourites, in order to show the range of what these steps cover. Hope you find if useful.

1. Script

Possibly the most important stage and where the fun starts. This provides a map, or blueprint, for everything which comes after.

The layout we use allows us to line up what can be heard against what can be seen, so anyone can get an idea of the final film and if it will work. This is the best stage for making changes, because it costs relatively little to write and re-write a script.

It’s also the stage where you realise how much your film might cost. Remember, ‘the stick figure scratches his head’, takes longer to write than ‘the armies meet’, but will take a lot less time to animate.

2. Storyboard

Once the script is agreed, we can start fixing things into place. First we use rough sketches, or thumbnails, to work out where to place the camera and which things we need to have in each shot. The script should be as descriptive as possible, but has limits. How each person imagines the film might be different and there might be inconsistencies from shot to shot, which only appear when someone tries to draw it out. From imagining the film, we start to be able to see the film.

3. Animatic

One thing a storyboard can’t do well is timing. All the shots might work as stills, but when animated, might be too long or short to go with the soundtrack. The animatic works as a rehearsal for the the film. A good one will allow everyone to see if the final film will meet everyone’s expectations, and hold the audience’s attention.. It will help avoid potential misunderstandings about camera moves, poses and action. And it allows the animators to concentrate on getting the best performance out of the characters at the next stage.

4. Design

We’ve put design here, but it can start as soon as the script is agreed. It can even take place at the same time as the storyboard is being drawn.

There is some flexibility with this stage, as new designs might be needed after the storyboard is finished, or existing designs might need altering so characters can do certain things. Maybe their arms or legs are too small to ride a bike or pick up an object.

Depending on the extent of their role in the film, each character needs a turnaround, to show it from all angles, as well as colour and a pose sheet, so animators know how they express different emotions and get an idea of their personality.

5. Animation

What we’ve been building up to.

As the adage goes, animation is the illusion of life.

A good animator can take a pencil drawing, a pixel, a puppet, or even a brick and make the viewer think they are watching something with an inner life.

You’ll see from the two examples below, even a walk tells a story. It’s not just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other and setting the arms swinging. The walk tells you who the character is, what kind of mood they are in and where they are going.

Every kind of movement should do the same job.

6. Sound

Popular opinion thinks that sound accounts for 40% of the experience. We agree and try to employ a range of composers wherever we can. If not, library music can also do a surprisingly good job. Below you’ll find some work from some of our favourite sound artists.

7. Final comp and edit

Once everyone is happy with the animation we can start on the final render. For 3D animation this means adding light and textures. For 2D animation this means cleaning up the linework and adding colour from the design sheets.

Once each shot has gone through this process, it is laid against the animatic, added to the soundtrack and then run out as the finished piece.

It’s a simple process, which just requires a lot of skill. Fortunately, we work with a lot of talented people.

Pricing

How can we best put this?.....

Sometimes you fancy a fillet steak, encrusted with peppercorns and served on a bed of dauphinoise potatoes with asparagus wrapped in pancetta,

...and sometimes you just want a quick bacon butty.

We love them both.

If we don’t have set prices on our site, it’s because we don’t know what you fancy yet and what the steak to bacon ratio is.

If you have a budget in mind let us know and we’ll tell you what we can make with it.

 If you don’t, we can let you know what some of our other films cost and then work out how to make the best film  for you for the money you have.

Apologies to any vegetarians or vegans. We couldn’t think of any non-meat based equivalents to this analogy. Here are a couple of tasty veggie meals we make on a regular basis though...

https://www.nigella.com/recipes/guests/meera-sodhas-summer-pilau-with-tomato-coconut-and-cashews

https://theconscientiouscook.co.uk/recipes/vegan-suppers/recipes/vegan-suppers/great-winter-warmer-%E2%80%93-squash-red-lentil-malaysian-curry