#the animation process

[sheafontana]

How long does it take to make an episode of the 7D?

Hi Katie,

It takes about a year and a half for an episode of the 7D to be completed. Here’s the abridged version of how we do it:

Each episode starts with a paragraph-long story idea called a “Springboard.” Once the springboard is approved by the network execs, the writing process begins. As we do multiple drafts of each script to get it just right, the writing process usually takes about six to eight weeks or so before the final draft is finished.

While the script is recorded by our talent voice artists (a process that is done with each actor individually and can take several days to complete an episode), any new characters, backgrounds, and props are designed by our talented design team. Once the voice record is edited together, the storyboard artists can begin drawing storyboards.

The longest part of the process—especially for a 2D show like the 7D—is the animation phase, where every frame of the story is drawn. Each minute of the 7D contains over a thousand individually drawn frames. When the animation is complete, all the voices, sound effects, music, etc. are put with the visuals to make the final show.

Animation is not for the impatient and we hope you like all the work that goes into an episode of the 7D!

[spacevixenmusic]

Long time no see Catula. ^_^ I just read you're article about animation and it was a great read. I agree 100 percent about this. My question is what are your thoughts about Phineas and Ferb and Adventure Time that uses different kinds of animation styles?

Different styles and methods of animation are what makes animation so much dang fun!

Look at Phineas and Ferb, which is characterized by everyone using a lot of subtle body language to emphasize what they’re saying. The way they lean to one side or shuffle their hands back and forth or point at something when they want to, well, make a point! The show uses that expressive aesthetic in conjunction with quick cuts and great interplay between characters to underscore its main strength, which is the writing.

On the other hand, Adventure Time uses a wild and inventive animation style, oftentimes as a counter-balance to its great writing. When the writing isn’t “funny” or “important”, the show will use its nifty animation style to keep you interested instead, magically making something that isn’t really all that funny on its own actually REALLY funny!

“When you don’t have much of an idea, you go for broke on the illustration”. — Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

That’s just two simple examples of how different styles of animation lend themselves to different styles of presentation, which ultimately feeds back into different ways to make stuff really awesome! The subtleties that can be found in the realm of animation are astoundingly deep, and more amazing than most people remember to give them credit for.