In the beginning, there was a brief. And then, there was a kickoff call. This meeting is where we get a real understanding of the project. It's arguably the most important part of animation creation. This is where it all begins. The immaculate conception of an animated film. We'll hash out the details of the brief, finding the key messages and information we need to create a script and a storyboard.

This is also when we'll decide on a visual style. Is it going to be vector, 2D, 3D, or maybe even stop motion? Armed with the brief and after some research and a coffee, we'll create a script. This sits alongside a visual description outlining what we'll see on screen in each scene. At this point, we will also come up with a style frame, our proposed look and feel for the film.

We then begin on a pencil storyboard. This acts as the blueprint for the film, visually mapping out where assets will live on screen. The final step in the pre-production process is the animatic, where we cut the storyboard into a simple film and add a guide voiceover. This helps to give a real idea of flow and timings for the finished film, showing how it will all work together.

Using the animatic as a guide, our animators then set to work bringing the film to life, frame by frame. They animate scenes and rig characters, creating movement to tell the visual story. We take feedback into account and continue to work on the film, recording a voiceover and choosing potential soundtracks.

After final comments from clients, we then make some last tweaks and edits before submitting the fully created visuals. Once picture locked, the post-production process is where we add the last creative touches to the film. Our sound designer adds sound effects to complement the visuals, then mixes the final audio and voiceover.

We then deliver our fully realized animation. And there you have it. Animated film. Created not quite in seven days, but close enough.