WHAT DOES A PREVIS ARTIST DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Previs Artist Do?)

What is Previs / Photo Credit: The Ocean Maker

WHAT DOES A PREVIS ARTIST DO? (In the Entertainment industry. What Does A What does a Previs Artist Do?)     

Bruce Bisbey…please follow me at: https://dumbdogproductionsllc.blogspot.com or https://www.facebook.com/DumbDogProductionsLLC/ thank you.

What Does A Previs Artist Do?

Previs is a technical service typically done in 3D that allows a production team (including the producer and director of a film, commercial, or TV show) to realistically lay out or visualize the scenes in a way that technically makes sense. For example, a production team can use a 3D previs to map out a complex camera move so they can see how they can make the shot happen before they have to do it on camera.

A previs artist is a skilled generalist with considerable experience in digital animation and a keen eye for cinematography. He or she is a member of the visual effects team who is responsible for creating previsualization animatic during pre-production. At the request of the director, animatic are used to plan various iterations of a complex scene, providing the director with a rough representation of character blocking, the environment, digital effects, and other cinematic elements.

In the realm of pre-production (often called “pre-pro”), a previsualization is used pre- pre-pro—that is, before production even begins. During this stage, previs is used to figure out and test a project’s idea, including a concept, an unfinished script, and information about where and how a camera moves in space, how a shot is best laid out, and how it can be executed in real life. Here are some key features of a previs:

Previs is more focused on the technical aspects of a shot and less focused on aesthetic details and narrative flow…

Previs can be more simplified and stripped down to focus mainly on how things are moving and the composition of shots…

Previs is something a director of a live-action commercial or movie would ask for…

Previs is a more detailed plan (think blueprint) for a director and producer to take and use on set… Previsualizations are incredibly valuable because they help make sure the producer and director are working as efficiently as possible on the shoot. They can check the full-up shot-by-shot against previsualization to make sure every frame looks like it should…

Duties

Working under the management of the previs supervisor, the previs artist is one individual tasked with collaboratively constructing rough animations to represent live-action and visual effects sequences to be shot during principal photography. Each artist assigned to the project will be responsible for a specific task or series of assets, such as modeling and rigging characters, animating characters, modeling the environment, or contributing the lighting and particle effects as with explosion effects. In some cases, artists may have the luxury of pulling character and environment assets from an existing digital library of stock models.

Once the individual elements of the sequence are assembled, artists then create several iterations of what the scene may look like, based on the script and instruction provided by the previs supervisor, who has received storyboards and notes from the director. The animations are not generated at high quality with detail in color and texture but instead are rough approximations used only as a guide for filming. To effectively visualize the director’s intent in a useful manner, the previs artists pay specific attention to the composition of animatic sequences using virtual camera lenses, virtual camera movement, frame composition, staging, and sequence editing.

Skills & Education

Employment as a previs artist requires proven skill in digital art and animation, including experience in modeling, rigging, and character animation. Experience in the use of software applications like Maya is necessary. Furthermore, previs artists must have a thorough knowledge of filmmaking principles such as cinematography, continuity editing, blocking, and scene staging. In working specifically with directors and cinematographers, artists must demonstrate an understanding of camera specifications, film terminology, and the conventions of storytelling. A college degree in computer animation or film and television production is beneficial, as it provides the technical and theoretical education necessary in this career.

What to Expect

Previsualization artists may find full time employment within a visual effects studio or digital marketing and advertising firm that specializes in theatrical trailers, title sequences, commercials, and other short-format productions. On the job, artists can expect a heavy project volume with shorter deadlines, leading to higher turnover. Because animatic are intended to be produced cheaply (in relative terms) and quickly, a previs artist may only spend a matter of weeks on an assignment, as opposed to months or years.

Individuals who prefer to spend an intensive year perfecting the finer details of a single visual effects sequence would be better suited to find work in post-production. Previs artists are more concerned with accuracy and effectiveness than aesthetic refinement. It is also important to note that movie-going audiences will never see the work contributed to the film’s early days during pre-production. Previs artists will still get a credit on the film, but they will only have memories (and maybe a DVD extra) to look back on after the project is over. On the upside, artists have the opportunity to work closely with directors and production designers during the crucial phase that will map the entire production process.

Sources, References & Credits: Google, Wikipedia, Wikihow, WikiBooks, Pinterest, IMDB, Linked In, Indie Wire, Film Making Stuff, Hiive, Film Daily, New York Film Academy, The Balance, The Numbers, Film Maker, TV Guide Magazine, Media Match, Quora, Creative Skill Set, Investopedia, Variety, No Film School, Daily Variety, The Film Agency, Best Sample Resume, How Stuff Works, Career Trend, Producer's Code of Credits, Truity, Production Hub, Producers Guild of America, Film Connection, Variety, Wolf Crow, Get In Media, Production Beast, Sony Pictures,

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What is Previs / Photo Credit: The Ocean Maker