I've started planning a new project and am thinking that part (not all) of the screenplay may lend itself to rotoscoped animation. Are there any differences in screenwriting protocols between writing for live action and writing for animation?
From what I can tell, the pages look the same but the animation process is totally different than live action movie making.
Writer Meg LeFauve has a bunch of webinars/podcasts discussing how Pixar makes movies.
My friend worked on AVATAR sequels and she and her VFX team were designing background plates without reading the scripts, months/years before live-action filming.
I skimmed "SOUL" screenplay and it looks like a normal live action screenplay. But these produced anim scripts are basically shooting scripts and everyone is writing/working "shorthand."
In terms of format, they're pretty identical. However, live action descriptions are mostly up to the director to interpret. Animation is a much more visual medium. Scenes are laid out by the storyboard artist. Considering some of your script lends itself to rotoscope you may need detailed descriptions in those specific scenes. I'm pretty sure storyboard artists are familiar with the software and techniques and can take it from there. I hope this helps! :)
Rotoscope is a post process drawn on footage that was shot like traditional filmmaking. You are either paying to shoot the script you wrote like live action and pay in post to have it Rotoscoped; OR you are paying a storyboard artist to work with you in Development, pre-production, to perfect your art and characters and then in production you add animation, VO.
3 people like this
From what I can tell, the pages look the same but the animation process is totally different than live action movie making.
Writer Meg LeFauve has a bunch of webinars/podcasts discussing how Pixar makes movies.
My friend worked on AVATAR sequels and she and her VFX team were designing background plates without reading the scripts, months/years before live-action filming.
I skimmed "SOUL" screenplay and it looks like a normal live action screenplay. But these produced anim scripts are basically shooting scripts and everyone is writing/working "shorthand."
2 people like this
Hi Steve! Nice meeting you!
In terms of format, they're pretty identical. However, live action descriptions are mostly up to the director to interpret. Animation is a much more visual medium. Scenes are laid out by the storyboard artist. Considering some of your script lends itself to rotoscope you may need detailed descriptions in those specific scenes. I'm pretty sure storyboard artists are familiar with the software and techniques and can take it from there. I hope this helps! :)
1 person likes this
Did research for myself, Animaker has guide for beginners.
1 person likes this
Thanks for the input and perspectives - very helpful!
1 person likes this
Rotoscope is a post process drawn on footage that was shot like traditional filmmaking. You are either paying to shoot the script you wrote like live action and pay in post to have it Rotoscoped; OR you are paying a storyboard artist to work with you in Development, pre-production, to perfect your art and characters and then in production you add animation, VO.