PRE PRODUCTION
PROCESS
A collection of pre-production materials including concept sketches, blueprints, thumbnails, storyboards, animatics, and layouts.
GATHERING
REFERENCE
Every project begins with gathering ample reference material.
First, I'll compile a board of images that sample the textures, color palette, lighting, and theme that I aim to capture in my piece. Orthographic shots of an object are collected to help me model a prop with accuracy, or I may model from existing concept artwork.
This process helps me clarify the vision of the project early on.
SKETCHES and
BLUEPRINTS
Once I have inspiration and direction, I create the concept sketches, blueprints, and color keys for my project.
In this step, I decide on the silhouette and design of a character, prop, or environment. I will test out colors and values using color keys and brainstorm the overall composition. When modelling, this process helps me identify how many assets will be needed for the scene. ,
Additionally, I will produce orthographic drafts of my object to visualize how it must be modeled from all sides. If rigging is required, a rough skeleton diagram is also planned out in this phase.
LAYOUTS
The layout step in the pre-production process is where I initialize the project in 3D. I create a rough blocking of the piece using primitive shapes, along with a camera, to confirm if the decided staging, camera angles, and composition works for the story, as issues can arise when translating drawings into 3D. I take this time to set up a background as well. This gives me an idea of what the final render should look like.
Afterwards, the blocking and polishing process can begin.
