HOW to Animate a SHORT FILM // Filmmaking With Friends

💛💛 Today I’ve invited my friends to talk you through the process of making an animated short and chat about how we created “Warm Welcome” together 💛💛
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I think this is officially my longest video I’ve ever made… Wew! I hope it’ll teach you some of the ins and outs of the animation process as well as tips for working in groups. If you don’t have artsy friends to collaborate with though, fear not! The online space is incredible and a good place to find like minded individuals is in my discord community! / discord If teamwork doesn’t sound like your jam though, the same principles can be applied to going solo :)
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Apologies for some parts looking awkward and glitchy. Exporting this was a total nightmare and this was the least cursed export I could make after 4 attempts and a total of 68 hours of waiting...
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WATCH “WARM WELCOME”
• Warm Welcome // CalArt...
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OUR LINKS:
X.K. Balashov:
/ zz1nk
Anya Butler:
www.meppity.com
/ meppity
/ meppitwo
Janelle Feng:
/ smileyfaceorg
janellefeng.wixsite.com/portf...
/ janellefeng
Mu'izza Nur Rahman:
muiiart.carrd.co/
/ muii.art
/ muiiart
/ muii-art
/ @muiiart
Michelle Cheng:
/ lemoncholy_
/ @lemoncholy
michellechengart.weebly.com/
Ken Kamau:
/ kkam_art
/ kkam_art
www.kenkamau.com
Izabella A.J:
/ izabella.itzia
izabella-itzia.squarespace.com/
/ @izabellaitzia
gumroad.com/izabellaitzia
Jasper Wang:
/ kaleidic_art
kaleidic.weebly.com/
www.artstation.com/kaleidic
Roy Berardo:
/ roy_berardo
www.royberardo.com/
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00:00 Introduction
SECTION 01 THE BEGINNING:
00:02:06 Ideation
SECTION 02 PRE-PRODUCTION:
00:08:15 Organisation
00:13:11 Storyboarding
00:14:57 Animatics
00:16:14 Character Design
00:21:14 Prop Design
00:22:35 Layouts
00:24:24 Colour Keys
00:27:41 Pipeline Tests
00:29:27 Style Guide
SECTION 03 PRODUCTION:
00:30:56 Backgrounds
00:32:09 Rough Animation
00:37:37 Cleanup Animation
00:38:56 Colouring
SECTION 04 POST PRODUCTION:
00:39:58 Compositing
00:44:17 Music
00:46:14 Sound Design
00:48:09 Editing
SECTION 05 REFLECTIONS:
00:48:30 Reflections
01:04:39 Outro
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SOFTWARE USED:
Procreate for iPad (miscellaneous): procreate.art/
Adobe Photoshop (miscellaneous): www.adobe.com/products/photoshop
Adobe Premiere Pro (editing): www.adobe.com/products/premiere
Adobe After Effects (compositing): www.adobe.com/products/aftere...
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro (Storyboards + Animatic): www.toonboom.com/products/sto...
Toon Boom Harmony (animation): www.toonboom.com/products/har...
TV Paint (animation): www.tvpaint.com
Logic Pro X (music): www.apple.com/uk/logic-pro/
How many Remys did you spot? ;)
Welcome to the bottom of the description!! Congrats! You earned 5% OFF all purchases at www.meppity.shop with CODE: READTHEDESC ⭐️

[@Meppity]

How many *Remy the rats* did you find in the video? ;)

[@Muiiart]

So many... as it should be

[@haris06]

I think I found 10

[@andrewdrawsstuff]

@@ramen4447 hey ramen

[@cloudedthoughts4604]

hey found another one in the text 3:11

[@cupcakecat1196]

*So many Remys so little time*

[@grympzofficial1256]

For the new people out there, you should always make character designs before animatics

[@alexc8726]

I agree, and turnarounds are also important because it helps you figure out how to animate the characters if they move in certain directions

[@omrceo]

Should we make sth like sketching or a detailed character design

[@starkwon7299]

@@omrceo neither, you need to do something that will help/guide you, when you're drawing the character, it's not only going to make the animation art more consistent, but it can also makes the process easier; I recommend to not shade too much or to not do unnecessary details, so it can be easier to understand how to draw the character correctly. Just the character on the art style of the animation is good enough :) there are multiple videos on yt that helps how to do these ref sheets!

[@delphineshooter8216]

Just realised this while making a film with a friend😅

[@DavidDoesNotExist]

For the people who can't afford to study animation in college, like myself, this is extremely helpful. From the bottom of my heart, Meppity and company, thank you so much. I've learned so much. Sooo much.

[@hmmdera2976]

Big yes!

[@thetntgirlanimation]

So true

[@gardaudadiyea]

Yaa

[@BBWahoo]

me: can barely draw youtube: here, good luck, you're gonna need it

[@vertabiamusic]

It's also funny when people who can draw get a video called "This is why your drawings suck" recommended by the youtube algorithm.

[@monti_skunk]

I love how remmy the ratatouille the rat of all my dreams is hanging out in the back of the video, lol

[@sarasuarez5529]

What is with the rats, every time i saw one i lost my mind its so funny

[@digdigdigo]

this is INSANE, not just the short film, but the entire production of the video explaining thing, congrats to everyone!

[@terryf1c893]

Is it Christmas already Oh no Anya gave us an early Christmas present yay

[@andrewdrawsstuff]

Hey Terry

[@terryf1c893]

@@andrewdrawsstuff eyyyyy

[@mizachop1620]

As a self taught artist in bumfuq nowhere it's so hard to find the people and friends to work on projects together. This entire video is just so inspiring and all of your teamwork is something I think everyone should strive for. Well done!!

[@activemotionpictures]

24:29 - Mind blown! This is exactly how we color commercials. Congrats. Well done, I really liked your breakdown.

[@Muiiart]

!! Thank you so much !!

[@heyshere9898]

As someone that is interested in animation this was heaven in a video!!! Love how you take us behind all your projects and give us the whole picture. Rewatching the short film after this just makes it 100 times BETTER! Congrats guys 🧡🔥🙌

[@Tealzzz04]

This look into the process of a short film is so unique to any other film production video I've watched Thanks for being unique Anya and you other beautiful people!💕

[@woodo.]

Thanks for making this, i'm gonna watch it later

[@khae6014]

Me too

[@candicecabezas7786]

I felt this haha

[@Gabriela-ry9cg]

hahaha me saving this video so i can watch it later

[@JestKae212]

Lol, same

[@Camtugames]

Bruh why this so relatable

[@Ms_Fate]

I wanted to watch this video for soo long, but the video itself is soo long so I literally PROCASTINATED on watch'n a damn video. But let me tell u every second is filled with insights and I love that. It's soo beautifully done and even this whole video was kinda animated right !? So it was more fun. And I have actually watched the short film before but I didn't realise that the characters who came in to ask for candy were the makers themself. Oh god how fun it is to know the insights behind a cool short animated film. Thanks anya for making this video and everyone else for joining in the journey. Simply beautiful ✨💖✨

[@deerpile]

as someone who wants to get into the animation industry, this video is so interesting thank you for making this I learned a lot from it

[@pugster3913]

Ive always wanted to make my characters come to life THIS IS SUPER HELPFUL

[@lrgogo1517]

I freaking love the animated background the speakers' avatars are framed against. It's like an extra scene set after the events of the short film, exclusive to this video, and a moody backdrop at that. Makes me think of a well decorated exitway after a themepark attraction.

[@cozyninos]

spreadsheets are a must when working in groups 👏 keeps things tidy and easily accessible

[@cuppshine]

YAAAASSS- I'm doing an animation project and I needed this!! Thank tou, thank you, tHANK YOUU!!

[@occudo2567]

Another day when I learned more from animation than my three years in university. Thanks for the breakdown. I also really like how different all of your avatars and expressions are

[@kass5361]

You guys really outdid yourselves, both with the film and this video!! They were soooo fun to watch and I loved seeing the process and hearing the team talk about the film! Can't wait to see what you do in the future🔥❤️

[@Clearancecartoonist]

I found one of your videos about a portfolio that helped me calm down during this season, then I saw your sketchbook video, and within the week you posted a video on this subject that will help me understand stuff about this topic I really enjoy, it's honestly so cool to see, great job on these vids!

[@JedicatedGirl11]

Im in my final year of an animation course in Ireland, and listening to this while working from home honestly makes me feel like I'm in a creative space again? Not to mention helping me with figuring out my own final film by myself. I'm sending this video to my whole course because its amazing. not to mention the short itself!!

[@humanrobit]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS. Having such a clear guide walking from beginning to end of production is so helpful. I get caught up on so many of the aspects of collaboration, so this is incredible.

[@palomaroggeri8680]

At the beginning of the year I set myself the challenge to make an animated short film with at least 5 minutes until the ending of the year working only by myself. It is a pretty big challange and its going to be really hard but I really want to set myself a big goal this year. All the times that I tried making an original project they had character arcs, complicated lore and extremly big world building but with no plot, I was basically trying to make the next avatar of my first ever project, so the point of this challenge is for me to create a simpler world with a simpler premise that can actually be presented in 5 minutes, something that I can make with a full story, so I want to at least get a complete storybord/animatic, just for me to prove to myself that I can make something with a story. This video is helping so much especially on organization, thank you for making this video! I hope this project works.

[@palomaroggeri8680]

So update. It didn’t happen. 2021 was kind of a terrible year. BUT! I am working on a new one and this one actually is actually happening! I am doing it for my portfolio and Im already doing pipeline tests! Anyone reading this, be in the look out for “The Red Spot” for whenever I finish it

[@beep2838]

@@palomaroggeri8680 hows it going? i am also making a short film :)

[@palomaroggeri8680]

@@beep2838 well “the red spot” is still on the go! I have it fully visualized and scripted as well as storyboard and animatic, now just need to get into the actual animating 🥲 I tried learning clip studio but it was just an absolute pain, so Im going to have to do with procreate animation tools

[@boobiw1416]

I'm curious, how it is going?

[@palomaroggeri8680]

@@boobiw1416 its in the same stage as it was unfortunately, but I am applying to both Seneca and Sheridan for animation right now! So life is going pretty good, I hope that I get the chance to make it while Im at college, plus procreate dreams just came out which is specifically an animation software, so I might be able to make a rough version of this short film for my portfolio!

[@lazygnome0]

Love how you guys are the trick or treaters at the end lol

[@juneiec]

God it's so weird to hear your voice on video but I LOVED YOUR SHORT FILM AND I MISS YOU 💕💕

[@Meppity]

I MISS YOU TOO BRO! I was looking at Gorillaz Tickets for 2021 and thinking about you ahaha

[@bugshepherd-barron1861]

This is so insanely cool and helpful!!! Thank you all for taking the time to record and share your experience

[@lebonbonanna1485]

I've always struggled with having a clear-cut schedule on how to start my own projects. This absolutely inspiring and amazingly creative way to show your process.

[@niamhmn4]

This was such an incredible watch! I'm in the process of creating my own short animated film and the way you broke down every step of the process was insanely helpful and inspiring. Warm Welcome is a gorgeous production that you and the team have every right to be proud of. Thank you again! 💗

[@angelroacamargo6202]

All the avatars are so wacky and full of personality I loved all of them

[@OseaWatTeFac]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES im doing my university short film in argentina hope this help me

[@coe.3181]

Yeah? That's great! Good luck with it :D What school do you attend? Da Vinci, Image Campus or any other?

[@andym9115]

how did it gooo?

[@boobiw1416]

Holaaa, puedo preguntar a que escuela ibas? Como te fue?

[@cupcakecat1196]

I love deep dives into animation and the process (amazing work)!!!!

[@cryptical1210]

✨ *E y e b a l l h a t* ✨

[@christinekoper2407]

Props to all of you, the film was adorable!

[@briandapatriciacruzflores2480]

Todo esto fue bastante inspirador para mí y definitivamente me levo algo de todas sus experiencias en su proyecto, soy estudiante de 3° semestre en animación así que ver este video me orientó en varios aspectos del trabajo en equipo a distancia y más ahora que tenemos que hacer un cortometraje jajaja ;-; pero bueeno el que no arriesga no gana uwu

[@NicoleNageli]

Oh my gosh, this is so incredibly helpful, Anya!!! I’ve always wondered this and there’s really not many resources on collaborating with a film out there. Thank you so much for making these kinds of videos!! You’re helping so so many people. I’m so excited to see your art journey!💙✨

[@ThevanamachaConde]

The explanation for the whole production has been absolutely amazing. I'm an Illustration major in college, but I want to get in animation development. Thank you so much for this!

[@hmmdera2976]

Gurl, I'll cry rn. 😢 I LOVE YOU GUYS FOR DOING THIS💗

[@maya_likes_rice]

By far my favorite video you've done! I love how you brought in so many different perspectives!! I hope you make more videos like this!!

[@1Artisha]

This is so wonderful~ I LOVE IT. 💖 Also learned a lot so that's really a big plus! I hope my friends can make a wonderful film just like yours!

[@madeleineameliacoopergreen5398]

I love the plague doctor with the headphones! Hilarious!

[@NikoleTheAnimator]

This video was so incredibly detailed and informative. Thank you everyone who made this.

[@GabrielPeregrino]

This is amazing! You guys went through all the jobs and the process of this great short in a helpful way. AND made it look amazing! The extra work is really apparated. I will share this with all my students.

[@userdoozer2508]

oh my this has so many inspiring and nice process about how you guys made the project! thank you

[@alyzzzea1864]

This was so amazing Anya! I love learning about the animation process thank you so much for sharing, tell your team I love them pls🥺🥺🥺

[@lexiconjures]

thank you so much for posting this. Always great to see the process behind animated shorts. it was really interesting to hear the group work aspect of this, as someone who did a solo project back in college (and still works primarily alone). Really informative and interesting!

[@itskhawl]

I love seeing your growth !! It motivates me ❤️

[@scribblediary237]

Beauuuuutiful work guys I can’t believe it!!

[@matthewayers5848]

This is great! Its like the bonus features for a DVD, but actually interesting and engaging. I will be re-watching this frequently!

[@elobaninas]

So inspiring, you are all amazingly talented!

[@Grayson4795]

THANK GOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO MAKE THIS YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW HELPFUL THIS IS

[@EnRainDst]

Im so glad this video exists I really learned a lot from all you guys.

[@gracerose7314]

watched this at least 4 times now, thank you for so much insight! super helpful!

[@marinaalcaraz9336]

This is an hour long but it felt like ten minutes!!! Sooo helpful and fun, you guys seem like a fantastic team and I really hope we'll get to see more stuff from you in the future :D

[@rosepetals9894]

This is sooo helpful! I've always wanted to make my own animated film but I'm too young for college so this gives me a good idea of what I can be practicing and testing out!

[@meghan369]

My new absolute favorite video on youtube! THANK YOU for making this!

[@Zenzuke]

This was pure gold from beginning to end, much love

Thank you so much for sharing it!! It's so cool to see the whole process

[@rotten_spring5187]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing this with us, the next year I'll have to team up to make a short too, and this video will really help me. Also, It was really interesting to see your production and listen to the different experiences and advices. :D💕

[@vveronic486]

this was so wholesome to watch thank you!

[@Jihanaldz]

Thankyou for making this! I was able to relate to a lot of things & also gain tips on how to resolve similar problems that was faced. And the timing that i found this video is well 👌 about to enter pre-production for my final year assignment w my group of friends :')

[@studio_fudelio]

This was so cool to see! Thanks for making this

[@vertabiamusic]

Very useful video and great to get such a behind the scenes! Wonderful final result, you guys can be proud on yourselves!

[@anwaar5357]

This is so inspiring and very helpful, thank u for creating such a masterpiece

[@Notposting0]

13:26 those last three parts are just perfect. That actually made me laugh •u•

[@daicellas]

Thank you so much for making this video! Just watching this gives me so much motivation to get better at 2D animation. I’m just a beginning animator, but while watching this I get so many butterflies just imagining myself being part of an animation/film production like this. I can’t wait until I’m skilled enough or better at the craft to be part of something like this! Very excited for the future. You guys are amazing and this was truly inspirational ❤️

[@mateoguiulondono1474]

This is so so so goood, i loved every part of it. And yall are so lovely and different... U inspired me a lot

[@hihello9402]

This is awesome!!! I’m making an animated short film with my friends and this helps a lot thank you so much for making and uploading this!!!!!!

[@ritaauri429]

Thank you for making this video ;-; it helps a lot for those who, like me, have to learn on their own

[@giovanarizzo8494]

Oh, gosh, the entire video will be so helpful to me!!! Thank you so much for sharing all these processes with us! 💖💖💖💖

[@CabblowStudios]

Haven't watched the video fully, but can I just say I love how you interpreted the audio from your friends by giving each voice a character (I'm assuming in everyone's individual art style). Seems like you were on a video call, but then you brought all the characters together into one space so it looks like a conversation, which is actually more engaging than a regular zoom display. So cool!

[@Dicoivk]

Dear Anya, thanks for making this great video, your videos are constantly helping me with art animation and they inspire me

[@Calico_Cloudz]

This is amazing!! I love how art can be so collaborative

[@niqswoods]

this is so perfect 🥺

[@yarealno]

This breakdown is so detailed and useful! Thank you so much) The film is great! Designs, colors, animation are just fantastic)

[@camille4405]

Thank you for blessing us with thissss🙌🏼✨

[@miyoko427]

this was really extremely helpful!! i'm in middle school and have been confused but really interested in animation, and this helped a lot, particularly the storyboard part. i've been looking for a full explanation of how an animation was made for a while now.

[@lindsaymaclaren9084]

This is awesome! Seeing the process in this much detail from start to finish is so helpful. I'm an animation student at DJCAD in Scotland (University of Dundee) and I'm in the middle of second year. When it comes to our collaboration projects, I will definitely be using your video as a point of reference. Thank you!! - ps you're all so insanely hardworking and talented, do pass that on to your friends as well xx

[@pinyiartspace2404]

It's really great, and I'm so envious, how wonderful your one is! It's so rare, it's not easy, and this video will definitely inspire and help many people

[@ThomzLuz]

this video was so much fun to watch, please make more when you are able to

[@user-rn8sn3uy9c]

thank you so much, there is so little resources to learn so i appreciate it, i love your work

[@gabi-pinto]

[@mickmcdrawing2470]

Thank you for making this video! I've been looking for good videos on the animation process, and I don't think I've seen a video like this going over all the way from pre-production, production, and post-production of a project. Also, love the animation!!

[@mickmcdrawing2470]

I really felt it when you guys' animation got triple the length you guys initially planned, I'm working on a small animation project myself, and going into it I thought at max it will be 1 minute, but now it's a 4 part series clocking at about 5 minutes. I constantly wonder if I bit off more than I can chew, and doubt my abilities to actually complete this project, and I feel very vulnerable putting a pieces of myself out there. It's a kinda scary to think that something I made will be out in the open, open to criticism from anyone who sees it, and I fear I will somehow let down a bunch of nitpicky critics who probably only exist inside my head lol

[@seventyeightynine5332]

Okay so I found your channel via a youtube comment on a smosh video and this is really nice!

[@KhanOfMir]

Hello Meppity, firstly , thank you for showing us the process of you guys making a short film. Secondary it really helped me because as someone from the other side of the world and that animation is not a really popular medium here it's very informative, and i can happily say it helped me to make my first animated short film after these months. Thanks again !

[@smoothblink]

This is FASCINATING. Thank you everyone!

[@dobuboba]

Luv ur works so much

[@EdaliaDayCreative]

such a great video. Thanks for all the info. I'd never heard of a colour script but it makes so much sense. Great tip(s)

[@lauramenendez3212]

This was really help full. And I love the short!!

[@sabrinapandori5556]

I LOVED IT GIRL

[@nani0logy]

I’m trying to make a winter based short film so this helps. Thank you!

[@12inchesofworm26]

yeah most people don't really notice the role sound design plays in animation i was forced to learn its importance because when i was 12 i found a leaked episode of an animated show and it only had the animation and voice acting and it felt so wrong and quiet

[@RashidWilliamsR-MAN]

I'm Sorry,LOL! But the Guy on the Right Side Look So Outta Here! LOLOLOLOL !!! So Funny While Listening To You Guys,,,GOD THIS WAS SO FUNNY!!!!!!!🤣But Congrats!🤣

[@thesludge2160]

Wow loved this video, very inspiring and helpful would love to see something else like this x

[@frankisostanki]

i just finished the whole thing and WOW this is so cool

[@purujun]

This is so helpful! Thank you 💖

[@roofchild2290]

This alone is amazing testament to the love of the craft

[@joselliott6]

I absolutely loved this!

[@elizabethmadison7839]

This was amazing start to finish!