Every high-quality animated production begins with an idea and ends with a series of rendered frames. Getting from the idea, to the finished product, involves many different stages that are often handled by various specialists throughout a studio.

Each step along the way contributes to the final image in some way. The concept art determines the look, feel and style. The modelers give dimension to the drawings and make them real. The riggers imbue the models with the ability to move believably. The animators breath life into the digital puppets which are then passed-on to the lighting department for beautification. After lighting and rendering, the entire thing comes together in a compos ite where it is finessed to completion. Getting from the initial idea, to this final stage is no small feat.

The rest of this chapter will serve to give you an overall look at how these pieces come together. While it is absolutely necessary to have a solid understanding of the specifics, having a clear view of the entire production will yield smarter choices and fewer mishaps along the way. We will look at the issues involved in planning a production that effectively reduces any bottlenecks that will otherwise wreak havoc on your plans.