ANIMATION LAYOUT ARTIST IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Animation Layout Artist)

Black Pencil Pan Animation Paper / Photo Credit: First Animation Art Cedar Rapids Iowa - Michael Hodgson

ANIMATION LAYOUT ARTIST IN MOTION PICTURE PRODUCTION… (In the Entertainment industry. Animation Layout Artist)

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Animation Layout Artist in Motion Picture Production

Layout artists communicate information visually by assembling components to create a visual design. They can work with type styles and images. With experience in the field, they can advance to supervisory positions.

In computer-aided animation, a layout artist serves a similar function to a cinematographer; this person is responsible for determining the shot’s frame, camera angle, camera path, and lighting of each key animation scene. While the camera is virtual, and an artist, instead of a gaffer, fills in the lighting, the principle is essentially the same.

A layout artist collects and assembles type styles and images, such as illustrations, photographs and drawings, to create a visual design in a computer or on paper. The layout artist is one of several types of commercial artists known as graphic designers who deliver ideas and information through visual communications. These professionals must possess artistic skills and are typically required to hold a bachelor's degree in a field pertaining to art or graphic design.

Duties

Layout artists work with software, such as the page-layout systems InDesign, PageMaker and Quark. They determine the color and size of type for the layout and the illustrations to be included. At times, the layout artist is the graphic artist who develops the design; at other times, the layout artist simply produces the graphic designer's concept.

Whether animating a feature length film, television show, or even a video game cinematic, the role of the animation layout artist is basically the same. In close collaboration with the director, teams of layout artists translate storyboards and animatic into polished frames. This crew choreographs the character models in the animated environment and manipulates the virtual camera, essentially the point-of-view of the audience to dictate what is seen on screen, to capture the important emotion and plot of the scene. Layout artists position and pose the characters according to the action and dialogue in the script, giving the animators a starting point from which to fully flesh out the characters’ movements and expressions. Like a live-action production, several takes or versions of each scene will be laid out in order to give the director and editorial team options when cutting together the final product. Instead of actors, Panavision cameras, and Fresnel’s, the tools of the layout artist are software applications like Renderman, which is used by Disney/Pixar.

Skills & Education

Those aspiring to become animation layout artists must have excellent traditional art skills, with talents in both drawing and painting. Additionally, these artists must be proficient in the use of computer animation and modeling software like Maya, Renderman, and others. Layout artists must be skilled at drawing, because drawings often need to be included in a layout. In addition to having artistic abilities, the artist must also be exact and accurate in preparing layouts for production. The layout artist and most graphic designers must also be able to work well with others since interaction with clients, other designers, production people, photographers and printers is often essential. Graphic designers sometimes need to be skilled at research since, increasingly, consumer information and knowledge is needed to design product packages or ads. Experience with editing packages like Avid, Final Cut, and software like After Effects is beneficial in practicing and understanding the film editing process. A college degree in computer animation, fine art, or film and television production is invaluable to this career. Coursework should include classes in cinematography, photography, and the study of film and animation history. The position demands someone who understands the techniques of cinematography and lighting, blocking, characterization, acting, and animation. Most importantly, the layout artist must have a vivid imagination and be uniquely creative.

What to Expect

Animation layout artists typically work as full-time employees of an animation production studio, like Pixar or Blue Sky, but may find freelance opportunities as a member of the production team of a television series or feature film. Similar positions exist within game development studios, working specifically on the cinematics or cut scenes that are interlaced with the gameplay. As with all areas of production and post-production, hours may be highly irregular, requiring at times much more than a typical 8-hour day. Studios hiring layout artists generally prefer a candidate with exceptional artistic ability that is competent with software applications, but they will train the right applicant. Most important is a trained eye for laying out an attractive scene that accurately conveys the mood and plot. Candidates are hired based on animated reels and portfolios. Previous experience in one or more areas of animation or visual effects is necessary. Opportunities do exist for entry-level work in the art department of animation studios, through which an employee can seek advancement to the role of layout artist.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Ken Adam: The Art of Production Design (Faber and Faber) by Christopher Frayling, Production Design and Art Direction (Focal Press) by Peter Ettedgui, By Design: Interviews with Film Production Designers (Greenwood Press) by Vincent LoBrutto,

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Black Pencil Pan Animation Paper / Photo Credit: First Animation Art Cedar Rapids Iowa - Michael Hodgson