You're tackling complex client requests in animation. How do you simplify ideas without losing their essence?

Something I read from an Interview from Brad Bird (not only a great director, an amazing problem solver in my opinion) in 2008: "Certain shots need to be perfect, others need to be very good, and there are some that only need to be good enough to not break the spell" I follow this way of thinking for everything I try to do, not only in animation. So my tip is to understand with your client, what's the most important take/part of what you need to do. The way you find that might be different for each client, but it's important to do that, so you can spend the correct time on fewer things. The keyword for selling it is the CONTRAST, without contrast everything blends. That's another great tip from animator Victor Navone.

Goal is important but also the story vision and idea behind it will be the game changer .Also you have to pitch with confidence..in that way like at the end of the story it has to be a simple but super powerful impact to to audiences with a great message can blow people mind.

Ask as many questions as possible to get Client Ideas in your head. Possibly ask for their video reference, if they have something in their mind. Best on that reference search some references online. Also, shoot your video reference. Edit those references in one video in the sequence of the various versions. So the Client can choose the best video reference. Best on their choices block your shot roughly in storytelling key poses. So the client can get your idea and check if you are going in the right direction. By this process, you will gain more trust from the client and get their work done fast.

Simplifying Complex Animation Requests 1.Start by breaking ideas down into the basics. 2.Use simple, clear visuals to get your point across. 3.Create sketches or storyboards to shape your ideas. 4.Ask for feedback to make sure you’re staying on track.

Creating an early storyboard provides a clear visual framework. This helps you map out key elements of the project and identify areas that can be simplified while maintaining the narrative flow. Early visualization allows for feedback and adjustments before detailed animation work begins.

For any animation project, 2d or 3d. I always start with storyboards. Storyboards can help in two ways: One to get a understanding of look and feel but it can also allow for early buildouts of animations and artwork to lead into production. Once client approves look most of the framework is ready to move into final look and motion.

Storyboard EARLY to simplify without losing the essence. By sketching out the key beats and visuals right away, you can communicate big ideas quickly and see what works before diving into the details. It helps streamline feedback, spot potential issues, and keeps the creative vision intact. A clear storyboard brings focus and keeps the core of the idea front and center.

Storyboard is something which can put imaginary things into paper as drawings. Finding exact References might be very time consuming and frustrating sometimes. So storyboard is the best medium to articulate every detail exactly as the client has in his/her mind. Also it helps understand camera shots, scenes and character's mood, emotions, the flow of the story etc very well. Because we are not starting to work in production at this stage, so it becomes very cost effective as well to finalise ideas using storyboards as you can get it altered as many times as you want. A project can be simplified at this phase without even starting a single aspect of production. Coloring it would add an extra sense of visual element to even simplify more.

"Posing / Storyboarding" It's an interesting technique to feel the essence of animation Before actually doing much work. After understanding the client's idea, what we can do is make extreme poses (storyboard) of animation. At this point, it's easy to get reviews and make revisions. Once the storyboarding is done, we can fill out the in between frames or transitions. It saves lot of efforts and time.

Complex animations don’t always mean complex visuals. Simplifying character designs, backgrounds, and transitions can streamline the process while keeping the message clear. Focus on impactful visuals that convey the essence of the idea without overwhelming the audience.

Its not necessary to always have too many details as it might not look so classy. Minimalistic approach is highly creative because of the use of ideas to convert a complex thing into most simple thing without loosing the meaning of it. Hence simplifying designs is a great choice but to do that one should focus on the main highlighting features of characters and environments. The more clearer the ideas are in mind, the more we can simplify the designs. Take care of shapes, clear arcs, meaningful features and avoid adding unnecessary details which might take away the true essence of character and environment. Make it to the point!

I learned the most important lesson of my career when I was assistant to Ken Russel (legendary director of "Tommy" among other amazing movies.) They wanted to add a scene while the film was in production and I volunteered to write it. It was my first time and I was excited for the opportunity. I wrote lots of dialogue and gave it to him at lunch. He took it and counted the pages, without reading a word of my witty dialogue. He said: movies are visual. This scene shouldnt be more than a minute. Bring it back to me when its a page. And I did. And they used it! It forever changed the way I wrote for the screen (and since it was my first time, I was very lucky to get this essential lesson so early!)

Simplifying the dialogue or narrative script ensures that the animation communicates its message clearly. By cutting unnecessary words or overly complicated phrasing, the essence of the communication can be more easily understood, maintaining the clarity of the client’s vision.

Maintaining close collaboration with the client throughout the project ensures alignment and reduces misunderstandings. Regular check-ins allow you to keep the animation simple yet effective, without compromising on the essential details that matter most to the client.

Use your creative skills to find innovative ways to simplify complex ideas. Sometimes a unique animation technique, visual metaphor, or artistic style can communicate a message more effectively and simply. This allows you to deliver the core message without sacrificing creativity.

It is always important to approach each project as a whole, considering that creativity has no limits and can go far beyond what one can imagine. In my personal experience, I have found it very effective to make my animations strongly reflect a sense of reality. In summary, my advice is that anything you create on the screen should elevate and enhance the experience of what you do physically. Additionally, it is essential to accompany these actions with sounds that reinforce and enrich the sensations at the exact moment.