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Of course, with CG you also have control over time, because you can animate your
scene. The workflow we’ll discuss in this chapter is best illustrated with a film production
example. The next section will briefly describe a film production workflow and how it
relates to CG production.
Production Workflow
There are three major stages to producing films: preproduction, production, and postpro-
duction. In preproduction, the script is written, storyboards are drawn up to outline the
action, costumes and sets are designed and built, the actors are cast and prepared, and a
production crew is put together. During the production phase, the scenes are set up and
shot according to a production schedule that lays everything out in the most efficient
manner possible. Finally, in postproduction, everything else happens. The film is printed
and edited, a score and soundtrack are laid, any digital effects are added, and scenes are
colored to match an overall aesthetic. When all of this is finished, the film is distributed
for people to see.
Although the specific tasks of CG are vastly different from those of live-action photog-
raphy, understanding this framework is useful to understanding CG.
Preproduction
Preproduction for a CG workflow requires that the artist or artists gather together all the
reference materials, motion tests, layout drawings, model sketches, and other components
to make the actual CG production as uncomplicated as they can.
Because everything is essentially made from scratch, you have to formulate a strong
plan of attack. You can’t just take some actors into the park and begin shooting. With CG,
you have to make it all from nothing, or at least acquire assets such as models from places
such as TurboSquid.com. The time spent in preproduction planning is vital to smooth
production and postproduction, and it helps the overall outcome of the project. Never
underestimate how much time and planning you should put into a CG project.
As you do the exercises in this book, you will work with sketches and other files sup-
plied on the accompanying CD. These are your preproduction assets. Additionally, you
are strongly encouraged to put together as much information as you possibly can about
your intended project, no matter how short it may seem.
A poorly planned production will always fall short of its potential and give you many
headaches throughout your project.
You will seriously sandbag your project if you don’t plan it effectively. Although you may get
sick of hearing this, it will always be true.
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