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Session 3
Production -2
In this session you will learn about the concept of Lighting and Rigging & the use of concept of
lighting to create a bright image.
Relevant Knowledge
Lighting
Not only does a Lighting Artist have to think lighting the individual scenes, they also have
to consider how to bring together all of the elements that have been created by the other de-
partments. In most companies, lighting TDs combine the latest version of the animation, the
effects, the camera moves, the shades and textures into the final scenes, and render out an
updated version every day.
Lighters have a broad range of responsibilities, including placing lights, defining light proper-
ties, defining how light interacts with different types of materials, the qualities and complexi-
ties of the realistic textures involved, how the position and intensity of lights affect mood and
believability, as well as colour theory and harmony. They are required to establish direct and
reflected lighting and shadows for each assigned shot, ensuring that each shot fits within the
continuity of a sequence, all the while aiming to fulfil the vision of the Directors, Production
Designers, Art Directors and VFX Supervisors.
Rigging
Rigging is the process of adding bones to a character or defining the movement of a mechani-
cal object, and it’s central to the animation process. A character TD will make test animations
showing how a creature or character appears when deformed into different poses, and based
on the results corrective adjustments are often made. The rigging department is also involved
in developing cloth simulation – so as well as making a character able to clench their fist or
rotate their arm, the rigging and cloth department is responsible for making their costume
Session 3 | Production -2
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move in a believable manner. Planning a character’s performance frame by frame uses the
same basic principles first developed for 2D animation.
In modern production companies, the practice of meticulously planning a character’s perfor-
mance frame by frame is applied in 3D graphics using the same basic principles and aesthetic
judgments that were first developed for 2D and stop-motion animation. If motion capture
is used at the studio to digitize the motion of real actors, then a great deal of an animator’s
time will also be spent cleaning up the motion captured performance and completing the
portions of the motion (such as the eyes and hands) that may not have been digitized during
the process.
The effects team also produce elements such as smoke, dust, water, and explosions, although
development on these aspects does not start until the final animation/lighting has been ap-
proved as they are integral to the final shot and often computationally heavy.
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Exercise
1. Observe 20 different images of 3D lighting, rigged character and animation scenes,
given by the instructor. List your observations, with rationale, for each image.
2. Fill in the blanks in the flow chart shown for 3DAnimation
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Assessment
Answer the following questions
1. What is 3Dlighting?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the use of rigging in production pipeline?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. What is 3Danimation?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Course | Media and Entertainment
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Checklist for Assessment Activity
Use the following checklist to see if you have met all the requirements
for assessment activity:
Part A
Differentiated between the following:
1. Lighting, rigging and animation
2. 3D Lighting and 3Danimation
Part B
Discussed in class the following:
1. How lighting is done in an animated movie?
2. How rigging is done to animate a character?
Part C
Performance standards
The performance Standard may include, but not limited to:
Performance Standards Yes No
Explain the relation between the various departments of production
pipeline
Demonstrate the knowledge of lighting, rigging and animation
Session 3 | Production -2
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Session 4
Post-Production
In this session, you will learn how to perform post-production activities and prepare a flow chart
of post-production activities and required materials/ equipment’s.
Relevant Knowledge
Post-production is the third and final step in film creation and it refers to the tasks that must
be completed or executed after the filming or shooting ends. It involves exporting or render-
ing out the animation frames and then editing the pieces of animation together using video
editing software. It includes the editing of raw footage to cut scenes together, inserting tran-
sitional effects, working with voice and sound actors and dubbing to name just a few of the
many post-production tasks.
The three main phases of post-production are rendering, compositing, sound editing, and
video editing.
Rendering
The rendering stage is usually associated with computer- generated animation, although ren-
dering can also refer to the process of creating final animation frames in traditional hand-
drawn animation. Rendering is used in both 2D and 3D computer animation. It is the process
of getting the final assembled animation scenes or pieces out of the computer in the format
of a sequence of individual frames. The aim of rendering is to generate a series of individual
pixel-based frames or a videoclip.
Compositing
The Compositing Department brings together all of the 3D elements produced by the previ-
ous departments in the pipeline, to create the final rendered image ready for film. After the
animation has been rendered it may be necessary to add some special effects or to combine
Course | Media and Entertainment
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separate rendered elements together into one final animated sequence. This process is known
as Compositing. Compositors are responsible for constructing the final image by combining
layers of previously-created material. They receive material from various sources including
rendered computer animation, special effects, graphics, 2D animation, live action and static
background plates. The compositor’s job is to assemble the different characters and back-
grounds into single frames and sequences and so is often the first to begin to see the anima-
tion as intended for the final audience. The compositing stage also allows for the addition
of other elements such as special effects which have been created using other equipment and
processes.
General compositing tasks include rendering the different passes delivered by a lighting de-
partment to form the final shot, paint fixes and rotoscoping (although compositors sometimes
rely on mattes created by a dedicated rotoscoping department), as well as the compositing of
final elements and general colour grading.
Editing
The editing stage of post-production involves putting the rendered pieces of our animation
together in the correct order of events. In this modern digital age this means the use of digital
non-linear video editing software which allows a great deal of flexibility in the editing pro-
cess. In the past the editing process would have involved the use of video-tape or film-based
methods which were considerably more time-intensive and less flexible.
Digital editing offers the benefit of being able to work in a completely digital environment re-
gardless of the final output format. One benefit of digital editing is that it is achievable using
any latest desktop computer.
Editing is a crucial step in making sure the video flows in a way which achieves the initial
goal. Video editing is the process of manipulating and rearranging shots to create a seamless
final product, and it is at this stage that any unwanted footage and scenes are removed. Other
tasks include titling and adding any effects to the final video and text.
Post-production sound editing primarily involves preparing the sound track for import into
the video editing software, this may involve adjustments to the sequence or occurrence of
particular sounds due to changes made in the editing stage. Editing the Sound track can be
a separate process to editing the video track, although these are combined together within
the video editing software. The sound track at this stage is already assembled in a fairly com-
plete form having been created in the Production stage. Many sound changes may take place
simply within the Video Editing software itself and may not require much, if any, changes to
made within the Sound Editing software. Editing Assistants support the Editor and editing
department in editing process. They make viewing copies on different formats for various
departments, clients and composers. They handle the housekeeping tasks for the editing de-
partment, keeping it stocked with relevant materials, ensuring that all equipment is in good
Session 4 | Post-Production
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working order and placing orders with outside suppliers.
Sound and Music Score
The sound and music score or soundtrack, is an important part of the animation production
process. The use of audio, such as music, sound effects and vocal dialogue all play a big part
in telling the story. Altering the type of sound used, particularly the choice of music or back-
ground ambience will have an effect on the mood of an animation. The editing department
is responsible for selecting and assembling the sound recordings in preparation for the final
sound mix, ensuring lip sync and adding all of the sound effects required for the final film.
Titles and Credits
Titles and Credits are an important part of a finished animation. It helps in people know who
made it, when it was made, who funded the project and so on. This may involve adding text
or subtitles at various points if appropriate.
Exercise
1. Observe 20 different images of before and after composited and edited scenes, given by the
instructor. List your observations, with rationale, for each image.
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Assessment
Answer the following questions
1. What is Post-production?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
2. What is compositing?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
3. What is editing?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
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Checklist for Assessment Activity
Use the following checklist to see if you have met all the requirements
for assessment activity:
Part A
Differentiated between the following:
1. Sound editing and video editing
Part B
Discussed in class the following:
1. What is the purpose of compositing?
2. Why video and sound editing is required to make a movie?
Part C
Performance standards
The performance Standard may include, but not limited to:
Performance Standards Yes No
Demonstrate the knowledge of post-production procedure
Demonstrate knowledge of compositing, sound and video editing
Course | Media and Entertainment
