Design and creative production: Digital job cards for animation studios
Digital job cards for animation studios: a scene card per shot with the current storyboard version, feedback, file location and status, so everyone works from the same version.
What a job card for animation studios should hold.
In an animation studio the storyboard often keeps changing during production. An animator picking up a scene sometimes works from last week's version, because the new one is buried in an email or chat message. Client feedback arrives as loose comments at a timecode in a video file, and not all of them are about the same scene. For animation studios that's the source of duplicated work: a scene is animated, rejected because it no longer matches the storyboard, and made again. On top of that, it isn't always clear which project files are the latest.
Digital job cards for animation studios
Example- 1
Set up the scene card
DoneEach scene has a card with the current storyboard version, the description, the length, the characters and assets involved, and the folder with project files.
- 2
Log work and feedback
In progressThe animator marks the scene as in progress and then as ready for review, with a link to the render.
- 3
Hand the scene on
NextOnly when every comment has been resolved does the scene move to the next stage, such as compositing or sound.
From preparation to signed-off card.
Set up the scene card
Each scene has a card with the current storyboard version, the description, the length, the characters and assets involved, and the folder with project files. If the storyboard for that scene changes, the card gets a new version and the animator sees it straight away. Earlier versions stay available for reference.
Log work and feedback
The animator marks the scene as in progress and then as ready for review, with a link to the render. Feedback from the director or the client is recorded per scene, ideally with a timecode. Each comment gets a status, so it's clear what has been dealt with and what is still open.
Hand the scene on
Only when every comment has been resolved does the scene move to the next stage, such as compositing or sound. At handover the card shows which version was approved and where the final files are. The next person starts with the right files and knows what has already been discussed.
No more paper and loose photos.
Animation studios work with animation software, shared storage for project files and often a review tool where clients leave comments. The scene card doesn't replace those tools, it connects them: it points to the folder in storage and pulls comments from the review tool where possible. Project files stay where they are now. The director owns the storyboard; the producer owns the status of each scene.
Card per scene or per shot
A card per scene keeps things clear on short productions. In a film with many shots per scene, each with its own camera angle or animator, a card per shot is more precise. The downside is more admin. Many studios work per scene and only split it up when several people work on one scene.
Feedback in the review tool or on the card
Clients are often used to a review tool where they can type at a timecode. Copying those comments onto the card keeps everything in one place, but needs the review tool connected or someone retyping them. Leaving them in the review tool alone means animators have to check two places for every scene.
Internal review before client review
An internal check by the director before the client sees a scene catches mistakes and keeps the client's feedback rounds in check. It does add a step. Under tight deadlines that step sometimes gets skipped, but that's exactly when a mistake tends to cost an extra round.
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Read the storyWhat goes on the job card.
Each production has scene cards ready with storyboard version, status, file location, feedback with timecode and the handover to the next stage. We walk through an ordinary production and a situation where the storyboard for two scenes changes while an animator is already working on them, so it is clear who sees which version. The overview of open feedback per production is switched on once the cards are in use. Connecting the review tool you already use, so comments land on the card by themselves, can also be switched on later.
View pricingSupport and updatesGood to know.
Explore pricing and optionsHow does an animator know the storyboard has changed?
The scene card shows the current version and a notice if it has changed since the animator started. The change itself is listed, so they don't have to go through the whole storyboard again. The producer can see which scenes were affected by the change.
Can clients see the scene cards?
Usually not, because they contain internal notes and file locations. Clients see their own view in the client portal: the scenes ready for review and their own feedback. Internal notes stay inside the studio, so the team can be candid with each other.
What if one comment affects several scenes?
Then the comment is linked to every scene involved. A change to a character or a colour can be ticked off scene by scene. The producer can check that the comment has been handled everywhere before the production moves on to the next stage.
Do we need cards for small jobs too?
For a short animation of a few seconds, a full scene card is often too much. You can use a simple card per production with the same fields for version, feedback and status. The way of working stays the same, without steps you don't need.
What often connects to this.
- Quotation software for animation studiosQuoting software for animation studios that costs a production by scenes, complexity and revision rounds, so client and studio agree to the same assumptions.
- Scheduling software for animation studiosScheduling software for animation studios that lines up animators, scenes and client review points, so one feedback round doesn't bring the rest of production to a halt.
- Customer portal for animation studiosA client portal for animation studios where clients review storyboards, work through feedback rounds and sign off, with each round showing what has changed.
Job cards that come back complete.
Start with a short intake. Then we schedule a call to show the software with your services, team and way of working.
WhatsAppinfo@vorlyo.com Digital job cards for animation studios: a scene card per shot with storyboard version, feedback, files and status, so nobody works from an old version.
- Set up the scene card
- Log work and feedback
- Hand the scene on