Now that we have an edit, I'm going through and roughing out certain tricky sequences in a blocky / simple style called previs. I know most people coming here know what previs is, but for my family and other friends, previs is simply a bare bones version of each shot in 3D. There is no real animation. Just frozen characters sliding around on a simple background. Creating previs shots allows me to see how long an action might take or maybe invent a better camera angle before the real animation is completed. So far it has greatly improved the pacing and the storytelling showing me where the holes are in the composition and giving me the tools to patch it all up.
Here's a few examples of some previs frames from the Duelists...
And here are a few frames of primary animation...
(Sorry I pixelated out what Biggs is holding but I'm not ready to show that yet)
Previs has been a great tool to help me tighten up sequences and realize where the pacing was off before I dedicated too much time to animating. So far we have a minute and a half animated out of seven minutes total, and there's still so much to do! But it will all be worth it. I'm pretty excited about what I've seen so far and each week it only gets better and better.
Wish us luck as we continue on.
At ease soldiers!
-Christopher
