Week 3 • Phase 3: The Look • September 23, 2026

The Roadmap & The Look

Animatics, Styleframes, and the Reality of Scope. This is the moment where you realize exactly what you've gotten yourself into.

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⚠ The Week 3 Reality Check

I don't expect you to have all your animation done by week three. However, I do expect you to have a crystal-clear strategy. You are standing on the edge of the Polish Phase. Before you start going shot-by-shot, you need to know exactly where you are going. This week is about defining your Scope of Work so you don't get lost in the weeds.

The Animatic (The Skeleton)

Your animatic must prove that you've thought through every single second of this film. By now, you should have defined:

Shot Count & Framing: How many shots are there and how are they composed?
Direction & Timing: Exactly how fast is the movement and where is it going?
Script Sync: Which words (on-screen or spoken) land on which frame? How long do they last?
Transitions: What specific techniques are you using to bridge your shots?

Styleframes (Gleaning Examples)

Styleframes are the visual soul of your project. These aren't just "sketches" -- they are the gleaning examples of your final quality.

Stylized Hero Shots: High-fidelity stills that emulate the final look and feel.
Motion Tests: Small clips showing how a specific texture or light reacts in motion.
The Alignment Tool: You don't need dozens of these; just enough to keep you guided and aligned.
Technique Strategy: These frames should prove your chosen software/technique stack is working.

💡 Pro Tip: Identify the "Hero" Moments

Use your animatic to find where you need to spend special attention on bounces and dynamics. Never forget the 10 Principles of Motion Design -- inject them here!

The Goal: A Bulletproof Blueprint

By the end of this week, you should have a really good idea of how fast everything is happening. You are defining the speed, the pacing, and the soul of your Manifesto. Once this is locked, you can move into the animation sprint with total confidence.

Week 3 Deliverables

Cap1_Phase3_StudentName_Animatic_YYYYMMDD_v01

Submit your final animatic (video file synced to audio) and styleframes (PNG/PDF exports).

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