How do you approach creating a new animation from scratch?

Your Answer

How To Answer This Question?

When answering this question, it's important to walk the interviewer through your entire creative process, from concept to final product. Start by discussing how you gather inspiration and conduct research. Mention any brainstorming techniques you use and how you develop a storyboard or animatic to plan the animation. Explain the tools and software you prefer and why, and describe your workflow, including any iterative processes for refining the animation. Provide examples of past projects where you successfully created animations from scratch, highlighting any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the full animation pipeline and your problem-solving skills.

Example Answer:

"When creating a new animation from scratch, I start by gathering inspiration from various sources such as art, films, and real-life observations. I then conduct research to ensure my concept is original and feasible. I use brainstorming techniques like mind mapping to flesh out my ideas and create a rough storyboard to visualize the sequence of events. Once I have a clear plan, I develop an animatic to get a sense of timing and pacing. I prefer using software like Adobe After Effects and Toon Boom Harmony because they offer robust tools for both 2D and 3D animation. My workflow involves creating keyframes first and then refining the in-betweens, constantly reviewing and tweaking the animation to improve its fluidity and impact. For example, in my last project, I faced a challenge with syncing the animation to a complex soundtrack, but by iterating on the timing and using audio markers, I was able to achieve a seamless result."