What is Visualization?
Visualization is a blanket term that covers using 3D Animation to design shots in a sequence for a visual narrative story, whether it be for a film, episodic show, game cinematic, advertisement, or VR story. The subgroups of visualization are:
Previs - visualization work done during preproduction, where 3d animators create shots either using storyboards as inspiration, or completely from scratch. Once a 3d scene is built in the computer, different camera angles can be explored without relying on more storyboards.
Postvis - visualization work done during postproduction, where artists quickly add temporary CG elements and cleanup things like bluescreen in order to clarify the purpose of a shot that uses visual effects.
Techvis - in-depth technical documentation of complicated previs shots, that clearly defines camera and character positions, set measurements, and other information that relates to filming or visual effects. Think of it as "showing your work."
Pitchvis - visualization done to attract investors in order to secure funding for a project. Pitchvis artists create "trailer shots" for a sizzle reel/video that is used to "pitch" to studios to approve for production. It can also be used on an approved production to visualize new sequences outside of the original scope so that studio executives can consider investing more resources to expand the scope of the project.
Previs - visualization work done during preproduction, where 3d animators create shots either using storyboards as inspiration, or completely from scratch. Once a 3d scene is built in the computer, different camera angles can be explored without relying on more storyboards.
Postvis - visualization work done during postproduction, where artists quickly add temporary CG elements and cleanup things like bluescreen in order to clarify the purpose of a shot that uses visual effects.
Techvis - in-depth technical documentation of complicated previs shots, that clearly defines camera and character positions, set measurements, and other information that relates to filming or visual effects. Think of it as "showing your work."
Pitchvis - visualization done to attract investors in order to secure funding for a project. Pitchvis artists create "trailer shots" for a sizzle reel/video that is used to "pitch" to studios to approve for production. It can also be used on an approved production to visualize new sequences outside of the original scope so that studio executives can consider investing more resources to expand the scope of the project.
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In film, the visualization process often involves collaboration with a director, VFX supervisor, and editor to design the most complicated shots of the movie, which often rely on visual effects (VFX). When the shots look correct to the director, they are then approved for the film crew to shoot in production, using the video edit of the previs as a guide, like a blueprint.
Below you can see my demo reel, which features examples of previs and postvis, as well as some 3d animation work.
Below you can see my demo reel, which features examples of previs and postvis, as well as some 3d animation work.
You'll notice that the previs animation is not final quality because of how quickly it must be done, but tells the story clearly so that final VFX animators know what general timing and composition to use for the elements in each shot.
Likewise, postvis work is also not meant to be final or photoreal. Instead it is used to quickly fix or "rough in" missing VFX elements from the filmed shots (called "plates"), which can contain bluescreen walls or props standing in for digital characters. Good postvis makes the shots look complete enough for the director and editor to approve for final VFX, which is handled by a different team. Shots with postvis are also used in screenings with studio heads and test audiences to determine whether or not shots and sequences are "landing" with the financiers and audiences in the proper way, or if reshoots might be needed to help clarify certain important moments.
Once a shot is approved in postproduction by the director and the film studio, it is passed to the VFX company ("vendor") so the final VFX artists can complete all the digital elements to photoreal quality, which is a slower and more expensive process, sped up by having the visualization content as a guide.
Likewise, postvis work is also not meant to be final or photoreal. Instead it is used to quickly fix or "rough in" missing VFX elements from the filmed shots (called "plates"), which can contain bluescreen walls or props standing in for digital characters. Good postvis makes the shots look complete enough for the director and editor to approve for final VFX, which is handled by a different team. Shots with postvis are also used in screenings with studio heads and test audiences to determine whether or not shots and sequences are "landing" with the financiers and audiences in the proper way, or if reshoots might be needed to help clarify certain important moments.
Once a shot is approved in postproduction by the director and the film studio, it is passed to the VFX company ("vendor") so the final VFX artists can complete all the digital elements to photoreal quality, which is a slower and more expensive process, sped up by having the visualization content as a guide.
If you're curious to learn more, write me at [email protected]