Surprisingly Unknown Animation Production Process
Animation production involves a number of steps from planning to release. You may have heard the term “Anime Production Committee” on TV, but it is surprisingly little known how it is actually made.
In this article, we will briefly introduce the process of how an anime is produced! We would be happy if this gives you a hint to enjoy anime more.
Planning Stage
■ Planning
The first step in the animation production process is planning. The first step is to clearly define the overall concept of the work. We carefully consider what kind of story we want to tell, who the target audience is, and what the worldview of the work will be.
For example, if the target audience is children, the story should be bright and fun, and the character design should be cute. On the other hand, if the work is aimed at adults, a more complex storyline and serious expressions are acceptable. At this stage, the overall tone and direction of the work is set.
Once the concept has been decided, the target audience should be clearly defined. By identifying the age group, gender, interests, etc., to which the work will be delivered, the story, character design, and promotional strategy will be more effective.
For example, if you are targeting teenage girls, it is important to have a trendy design and a storyline that they can relate to. The key to success is to create a specific target image and incorporate the elements they seek.
In addition, setting the worldview is also essential. The location where the story takes place, the historical background, the social system, and settings such as magic and supernatural powers determine the overall atmosphere and reality of the work. A detailed worldview setting broadens the scope of story development and adds depth to the work. For example, a fantasy work requires a detailed description of the magic system and race settings to create a consistent worldview.
At this stage, the core idea of the work is solidified and guides the subsequent production process. Solid planning is extremely important for a smooth production process and the creation of an appealing work of art.
■ Scenario Creation
Once the plan is solidified, a specific story is drafted as a scenario. First, a storyboard is created to grasp the overall picture. The storyboard is an important tool for visually confirming the flow of the story and camera angles. At this stage, production ideas and the composition of the scenes are discussed in detail.
Once the storyboard is completed, the script is created. In the script, detailed instructions for character dialogue, narration, sound effects, etc. are written. Based on the storyboard, more detailed story development, character emotions, and dialogue are developed. At this stage, the consistency of the story and the motives for the characters’ actions must be closely checked.
The script is an important document that serves as the foundation for the animation production. The quality of the script greatly determines the degree of completion of the work, so it must be carefully prepared over time. In most cases, the final version is determined after multiple checks.
For example, the popular anime “Blade of Oni no Kai” attracted many viewers with its meticulously crafted script and fascinating character portrayals. The script is the core of the entire work and requires a high level of perfection.
■ Visual Image Creation
In parallel with the story, we work on the creation of visual images to visually express the world of the work. First, character design is an important element that determines the overall impression of the work. Taking into consideration the characters’ ages, personalities, and roles, we aim to create attractive and memorable designs.
Next, in the background setting, we design the place where the story will take place. We take into account the atmosphere and historical background of the place where the story takes place, and draw backgrounds that are appropriate for each scene. Similar to character design, background design is an important element that determines the atmosphere and reality of the work.
The image board is a visual summary of the overall image of the work. It is created to create a unified atmosphere for the entire work by combining characters, backgrounds, and coloring. The image board is shared by all production staff and is very useful for sharing the overall vision of the work.
■Budgeting
Once the plan, scenario, and visual image are finalized, the budget required for production is calculated. A detailed budget plan is created, taking into account various factors such as labor costs, equipment costs, and production period. The size of the budget determines the scale and quality of the work that can be produced, so accurate estimates are required.
In order to secure a budget, we consider fundraising methods. We will consider obtaining sponsors, crowdfunding, government grants, etc. Securing a budget is one of the most important issues when starting an animation production.
The best method of fundraising depends on the size, content, and production structure of the work. For large-scale projects, it is necessary to raise funds from multiple sponsors. On the other hand, for smaller productions, crowdfunding can be an effective means. Whichever method you choose, careful planning and good communication with all parties involved are essential.
Production Preparation Stage
■ Formation of a production committee
Animation production is often managed by a production committee. The production committee consists of animation production companies, broadcasters, sponsors, etc., who work together to advance the production. The production committee is responsible for various tasks related to the production, such as fundraising, copyright management, and sales promotion.
It is extremely important to clearly define the division of roles among the members of the production committee and the decision-making process in order to ensure the smooth progress of the production. If production proceeds without a clear division of roles, responsibilities may become unclear, which can lead to problems.
For example, the production company is responsible for the animation production itself, while the broadcaster is responsible for securing broadcast slots and advertising. Sponsor companies provide funding and, in some cases, obtain merchandising rights. Efficient production systems are established when each member understands his or her role and cooperates with each other.
■ Creating a production schedule
Once the production committee is formed, a specific production schedule is created. The time, manpower, budget, and other details for each process are planned in detail. The schedule is an important tool for grasping and managing the progress of the entire production.
Animation production consists of many processes, each of which is closely related to the other, so schedule management is extremely important. In order to ensure smooth coordination between processes, careful schedule planning is required. Since any delays will affect subsequent processes, the progress must be constantly monitored and corrected as necessary.
Tools such as Gantt charts can be used to visually monitor the schedule and manage progress. Staying on schedule is critical to meeting budgets and deadlines.
■ Creating a production system
Once the schedule is set, the production structure is established. Staff members in various positions, such as director, producer, animator, background art, sound effects, and editor, are assigned. The abilities and experience of each staff member are taken into consideration to form the optimal team.
It is important to have a clear division of roles and a communication system in place to ensure smooth cooperation among staff members. Lack of communication among staff members can lead to production delays and poor quality. Regular meetings and the use of information sharing systems can help ensure efficient collaboration.
In particular, the director plays an important role in directing the entire production. The director is required to have leadership and high communication skills in order to unify the production staff and ensure the quality of the work.
■ Maintenance of the production environment
Prepare the studio and equipment necessary for production. Computers, tablets, desks for drawing, filming equipment, and other equipment necessary for production must be prepared. Creating a comfortable work environment will motivate staff and promote efficient production.
The layout of the studio is also important. The layout should take into account efficient workflow so that staff can work smoothly. Safety of the work environment must also be taken into consideration.
Animation Production Stage
■ Storyboarding
Finally, the animation production process begins. First, storyboards are created based on the script. The storyboard is a frame-by-frame representation of the story and is an important blueprint for animation production. The storyboard provides detailed instructions for the composition of each scene, camera angles, and character movements.
Storyboards are created by the director and the production staff, often with input from animators and other staff members. Storyboards may also include revisions to the storyline and production innovations.
Storyboards play an extremely important role in facilitating the entire animation production process. If production proceeds without a clear storyboard, there is a possibility that revisions will be necessary later and production will be delayed. Therefore, it is necessary to spend sufficient time on the creation of storyboards.
■ Production of Original Drawings
Once the storyboard has been approved, we begin the production of original drawings. Original drawing is the process of depicting the main movements of the animation. The main poses and important facial expressions are carefully drawn. The original drawing plays an important role as the backbone of the animation.
Original drawings are often drawn by experienced animators and require a high level of skill and expressiveness. It is important to accurately depict the movements, facial expressions, and emotions of the characters. The quality of the original drawings largely determines the quality of the animation as a whole.
Since each original drawing is carefully drawn one by one, it is an extremely time-consuming process. Therefore, it is important to carefully plan the production schedule and establish an efficient work system.
■ Movie Production
Video production is the process of filling in the gaps between the original drawings. We produce moving images to smoothly connect between the original drawings. The animation production is a very important process to give smooth motion to the animation.
The creation of moving images requires advanced techniques and delicate work. It must be produced with the utmost care so that the movements of the characters do not look unnatural. The quality of the video production greatly determines the degree of perfection of the animation.
Various techniques are used in animation production. For example, a technique called “mid-splitting” can be used to express smoother movement by using multiple pictures to connect between the original drawings.
■ Coloring
Once the animation is completed, the process of coloring begins. Coloring is the process of applying colors to the animation. All elements, including characters, backgrounds, and effects, are colored.
The coloring process is an important step in determining the worldview and atmosphere of the work. The impression of the work can vary greatly depending on the color design, so great care must be taken in the selection of colors.
Color design is often performed by a specialist who considers color tones, color temperature, and other factors in order to achieve a consistent color scheme. Color design plays an important role in determining the overall atmosphere of the work.
■ Photographing
After coloring is completed, the filming process begins. During the filming process, the background and characters are combined and camera work is added to create the final image.
In the filming process, the background, characters, and effects are combined into a single picture using a technique called layer compositing. In addition, by adding camera work, a more dynamic visual expression becomes possible.
Various special effects can also be added during the shooting process. For example, light effects, shadow effects, explosions, and other effects can be added to create more attractive images.
■ Editing
The filmed video is edited and completed. In editing, cuts are joined together and audio is matched to complete the final work.
Editing is an important process that determines the tempo and rhythm of the entire work. Since editing greatly changes the overall impression of the work, skilled editing techniques are required.
Various editing techniques are used in the editing process. For example, transitions and effects are used to create more dynamic visual expressions.
Finishing Stage
■ Sound Production
Once animation production is complete, the finishing touches are made. The first step is sound production. Sound production includes various processes such as sound effects, music, postrecording, and mixing.
■ Sound Effect Production
Sound effects are produced and selected according to the scene. Sound effects are an important element that can sway the emotions of the viewer. Realistic sound effects enhance the overall quality of the production. The selection of appropriate sound effects can greatly affect the atmosphere of a scene.
Sound effects are often created using specialized software, which can produce a variety of sound effects, including realistic and fantastical sounds. Existing sound sources may also be used.
■ Music Production
Music is an important element that determines the overall atmosphere of a work, and we produce background music, theme songs, and insert songs. Music is extremely important for expressing the emotions of a scene and enhancing the viewer’s immersion.
Music production is done by composers and arrangers. The genre, tempo, and atmosphere of the music are determined according to the worldview and storyline of the work.
Music has the power to deeply appeal to the emotions of the viewer. By choosing appropriate music, you can enhance the emotion of a scene or increase tension.
■ Audio Recording
Voice actors record the dialogue. Postrecording is an important process that breathes life into the characters. The voice actors’ performance makes the characters’ personalities stand out and greatly affects the overall quality of the work.
At the postrecording studio, the voice actors follow the director’s instructions and breathe in their lines with rich emotion. In some cases, multiple voice actors record at the same time.
The voice actors are required to be highly focused and expressive.
■ Mixing
Sound effects, music, dialogue, etc. are mixed in a well-balanced manner to complete the final sound. Mixing is an important process that determines the sound design of the entire production.
In mixing, the volume and frequency balance of each track is adjusted to achieve clear and easy-to-hear sound quality.
Mixing is performed by a specialized mixer. The mixer must be highly skilled and have a keen sense of hearing.
Final Stage
■ Acceptance Inspection
Once the animation and sound are completed, acceptance inspection is conducted. Acceptance inspection is a final check to ensure that there are no mistakes in the completed work.
Acceptance inspection is often conducted by both the production company and the client, where every detail is checked and any problems are corrected.
Acceptance inspection is a very important process to ensure the overall quality of the work.
■ Delivery
After the acceptance inspection is completed, we deliver the completed work to the client. At the time of delivery, we deliver the work together with its data and related materials.
After delivery, it is still necessary to respond to inquiries from the client.
■ Publication
The completed work will be released to the public in various ways, including TV broadcast, distribution, and theatrical release. Depending on the method of release, the audience demographics and recognition of the work will vary.
It is important to analyze the response to the work after it is released and make use of it in future productions.