What's the difference between an animatic, and a rough cut?

[@russellsdesk]

Hello,

Trying to write a Production Process document.

I'm looking for the difference between an animatic, and a rough cut please?

Thank you.

[Rick Gerard · Accepted solution]

A Rough Cut is what you make with footage and or first-pass effects or motion graphics. It usually includes a rough audio mix and some minor color grading if needed. It is often just the raw footage and maybe placeholders for graphics so you can get the feel of the story and make sure it makes sense.

An Animatic is usually created against a rough audio track using sketches, bare-bones animation, and placeholder or "Pencil Test" quality graphics. It can be nothing more than a series of storyboard frames, the initial animated 3D models, or even sketches. The purpose is to check the blocking (how things move in the frame) and timing. The goal is to give you an idea of what the show might look like and how the timing works. I have produced many commercials, a few documentaries, and a couple of music videos using nothing more than photos of drawings that show framing and camera moves. 

In After Effects, I often start with an Animatic as a guide. I then set up the timing and blocking in a VFX shot first by placing the elements needed in the shot. I run ram previews with minimum effects and even placeholders to check the blocking, timing, and composition. If the shot is longer than about seven seconds, I often skip frames, and I usually run the ram previews at 1/2 or even 1/4 comp resolution. I call this the "Pencil Test." I usually put the rendered Pencil Tests in my "marinate" folder and look at them an hour or a day after they are done. You will be amazed at how many problems you see and can fix if you step away from a project for a while, then look at it again with fresh eyes.

Then I start adding effects, doing the roto, and fine-tuning the color grading and edges of the composites. I call this part "Ink and Paint." I seldom run ram previews for more than a few frames, but I check the hero frames carefully at 100% and full resolution and often at 200% or more to fine-tune edges and check the matte edges and color. I seldom run ram previews with everything turned on for more than one or two seconds because it is usually a waste of time.

I render a production master from the comp and do the final editing, sound mix, and final color grade in an NLE like Premiere Pro. I never use After Effects to edit a movie. It's not the right tool for that. 

I hope this helps.

[@russellsdesk]

Thank you for your thorough response.