General Activities:
* Storyboarding: Animators might be involved in the early stages of production, helping to visualize the story through storyboards, which are like rough sketches of key scenes.
* Character Design: They often design the characters, creating their physical appearance, personalities, and movements.
* Animation: This is the core of their job. Animators create the movement and expression of characters and objects through a series of drawings, 3D models, or other techniques.
* Rigging: In 3D animation, animators may rig characters, creating a digital skeleton that allows for realistic movement.
* Software Proficiency: Animators spend significant time learning and working with various animation software programs, such as Maya, Blender, After Effects, and Toon Boom.
* Collaboration: They often work closely with directors, producers, other animators, and artists to ensure a cohesive final product.
* Research: Animators may research real-world movements, animal behavior, or other aspects of the world to ensure their animation is accurate and believable.
* Review and Revision: Animators regularly review their own work and provide feedback to other animators, ensuring the animation meets the project's standards.
Specific Roles:
* Character Animator: Focuses on animating characters, giving them life and expression.
* Technical Animator: Works on the technical aspects of animation, such as rigging and motion capture.
* Compositor: Combines different animation elements, creating a final, finished product.
* Story Artist: Focuses on the narrative and visual storytelling aspects of animation.
* Layout Artist: Creates the camera angles and composition for each scene.
* Animator Lead: Supervises and manages a team of animators.
Beyond the Animation:
* Networking: Animators often attend industry events, conferences, and workshops to connect with other professionals and stay informed about the latest trends.
* Portfolio Building: They continuously work on personal projects and create a portfolio showcasing their skills and abilities.
* Learning and Development: Animators are always looking for ways to improve their skills, taking online courses, attending workshops, or reading books and articles.
Time Management:
* Animation projects typically involve deadlines and tight schedules.
* Animators need to be able to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks, and work efficiently.
It's important to note that the time spent on each of these activities can vary greatly depending on the type of animation, the studio, and the individual animator's role.