Familiarize yourself with the rotoscope filmmaking pipeline. This pipeline takes you from conception to exhibition. Pipelines are unique to each studio and contribute greatly to a companies’ style and fingerprint.
Making a Rotoscope Movie in 5 Easy Steps
- Research and Development
- Pre-Production
- Production
- Post Production
- Exhibition
Step One: Research and Development
Foundation Research
- Legal and Business Affairs
- Script Development
- Estimated Animation Department Budget
- Production Design Research and Development
- Storyboard
- Table Read/Temporary Voice Recording
- Animatic
- Temporary Score
- Temporary Sound
- Animation Research and Development
Live-Action Testing
- Live-Action Reference Testing
- Costumes, Hair, and Make-up Testing
- Miniatures and In-Camera Effects Testing
Animation Testing
- Character Animation Testing
- 3D Animation Testing
- SFX and Composite Testing
- Combined Line and Color Animation Testing
- Background Studio Testing
- Compositing & Editorial Testing
- Test Footage Review and Delivery to Producers
Analysis
- Rate of Production Analysis
- Production Guide Published
- Production Assumptions Document Published
- Finalized Animation Department Budget
Step Two: Pre-Production
- Start Studio Heads, Team Leads, and Studio Staff
- Live-Action Reference Shoot Crew Recruiting
- Live-Action Reference Actor and Voice Actor Casting
- Character Design
- Costumes, Hair, and Make-up
- Props and Practical Effects
- Live-Action Reference Shoot
- Live-Action Reference Edit
- Animation Production Analysis
- Production Designs
- Animation Crew Recruiting
- Animation Production Plan Published
- Character Design Guide Published
- Production Design Guide Published
- Live-action Reference Edit Delivery
- Animation Intake and Analysis
Step Three: Production
- Animation Scheduling and Traffic Plan
- Animation Start
- Launch Design Team
- Launch Background Art Studio
- Launch Character Animation Workshop
- Launch Performance Capture Laboratory
- Launch Editorial Team
- Begin Weekly Animation Reviews with Producers
- Reel 2 Animation Production (4 of 12 Months)
- Reel 3 Animation Production (4 of 12 Months)
- Reel 1 Animation Production (4 of 12 Months)
- Rough Animation Assembly
- Animation Polish
- SFX Polish
- Quality Check
- Deliver Polish Animation Assembly
Step Four: Post Production
- ADR/VO
- Sound and Foley
- Score
- Mix-down and Finishing
- Marketing
- Posters
- Trailers, Teasers, and Promos
- Marketing Strategy Document
- Festival Plan
- Final Delivery to Distributor, Partners, Screeners
Step Five: Exhibition
- Distribution Partners
- Launch Sales and Exhibition Office
- Launch Social Media Campaign
- Festival Submissions
- Press and Critics Outreach
- Soundtrack Release
- Award Submissions and Outreach
- Festival, Convention, and Screening Tour
- Fan Outreach
This outline was taken from an in-person talk entitled Minnow Mountain: Pipelines by studio President Steph Swope and CEO Craig Staggs.