Month: February 2025

We’re going to need a bigger camera

Previsualization (previs) is where static ideas begin to move, taking the first steps toward a fully realized animation. This week, the focus has been on introducing characters within previs while exploring how movement, framing, and composition can communicate emotions even without facial expressions.

A character’s posture, gestures, and the way they occupy space can reveal as much as a facial expression. A slouched figure with slow, deliberate movements can convey exhaustion or defeat, while a sharp, rigid stance suggests determination or control. Subtle shifts in weight, hesitation in motion, or the speed of an action all contribute to emotional storytelling.

Understanding camera angles and framing is another essential tool in this process. A low-angle shot can make a character feel powerful, while a high-angle shot makes them seem small or vulnerable. Close-ups of hands gripping a chess piece, tightening into a fist, or hesitating over a move can speak louder than words. Wide shots can emphasize isolation or highlight the tension between two rivals.

This stage has been invaluable for refining the pacing and intensity of the animation. Further refinements will focus on smoother transitions, stronger blocking, and ensuring each shot enhances the emotional core of the scene.

The Names Korg…..im a rock, as you can see

Character creation often begins with a sketch, but compelling personalities can emerge without a single drawn line. Developing a character bio focuses on their, motivation, relationships and personality allowing them to feel real before any visual design takes shape.

For example, in the ongoing chess-themed narrative, two contrasting figures take the stage: Souta, the whimsical yet determined rookie, and Maximus, the legendary grandmaster seeking a lasting legacy. Their personalities, backstories, and motivations were shaped purely through written exploration establishing their stakes, quirks, and emotional depth before committing to any visual representation.

The images above are the animatics of the establishing shot and the first character introduction, deciding which character to focus on more will have a different impact on the story.

prod igy, the whimsical yet determined rookie as well as struggles to prove himself.

Maximus, the legendary grandmaster seeking a lasting legacy, whilst slowly dying.

A story that tries to balance two protagonists equally risks diluting its emotional impact. Both have strong motivations and emotional stakes, but one character may need to take the narrative lead for the story to resonate deeply. By choosing a primary lens through which to experience the story, the emotions, stakes, and payoff become more impactful. A well-written character isn’t just about backstory it’s about the journey the audience follows.

Refer to The Batman for awesome

In visual storytelling, introducing a character and establishing a shot are crucial elements that shape audience perception. Establishing shots set the scene, providing spatial context and visual tone, while character introductions convey essential traits and motivations. Effectively applying these principles in storyboarding ensures a coherent and engaging narrative structure.

Establishing shots provide context, mood, and atmosphere, often using wide or extreme shots. In a hero’s journey, an alleyway setting the previs draft is about trying to create tension and isolation with dark, wet floors, scattered trash, and hazy lights. This setting reinforces themes of conflict and adversity.

For the chess match narrative, the establishing shot of an arena highlights the competitive stakes.

The Enjoyment of Letting Pre-Production Become Concepts

Pre-production / Pre visualisation is an essential stage where ideas take shape and evolve into tangible concepts. The freedom to explore different settings, compositions, and character portrayals fosters creativity and narrative depth, and has been educational and enjoyable. whilst also allowing for errors to arise which is encoruged as this is the refinement part of the project.