Communication, pipeline and workflow are key. COMMUNICATION: We start every day with a quick standup to ensure everyone knows what their tasks are for the day, and to ensure no-one is blocked. Throughout the day communication is maintained via slack. At the end of the day there is a Dailies catchup per project where work is reviewed. This ensures everyone feels supported, we can ensure the project is moving in the right direction and can jump on any show blockers. PIPELINE AND WORKFLOW: Pipeline tools ensure that we are efficient. Workflow is well documented so everyone know where to put ref, assets, etc/find ref, assets client notes etc/ export WIP's etc.

The most effective way I've found to manage multiple ongoing VFX, AI, and Animation projects is by utilizing detailed decks. These decks establish the project's look and feel from the outset, setting a high standard for all parties involved. Staying organized with tools like Slack, Discord, or Microsoft Teams is essential. Additionally, a well-documented file naming convention, data flow pipeline, and asset publishing system are invaluable for maintaining efficiency. It's crucial to set clear boundaries with clients to avoid overburdening your team in the pursuit of endless shot approvals. Brief, focused team check-ins (5-10 minutes) are more productive than longer meetings, ensuring everyone is aligned on daily and weekly goals.

Definitely having things centralised helps in having clear communication and transparency of all the information of that particular project. One can always have separate groups created with the members of that particular project and have all the necessary communication/broadcast done in that group. It will be a clear and an organised at of passing all the info needed.

It's key to have specific touch points with the whole team throughout the day to assess both the progress being made and address any potential stumbling blocks. But it's also important to to have clearly defined blocks of time dedicated to the hard work of animation production, preferably without interruption. Defining when and when not people need to be responsive is going to help establish productive boundaries and let the animators get into a state a flow without worrying about needing to check in or respond to Slack messages.

While it's essential to set clear objectives and follow them from the beginning, reality often deviates from expectations. That's why incorporating risk factors into the plan is vital. When unexpected problems arise, maintaining open communication with the team and reassessing objectives and deadlines is crucial. I believe that a well-thought-out plan and careful decision-making ultimately save time while preserving product quality.

Clear details is very important as well, each character in your project has its own aspects and backgrounds even if its not shown in the project, but these details will be the motivation for the animators to handle each character specifically to be unique piece of art.throw the movement the facial expression and the voice.

Also being full transparent from the start is the way to go. If you have doubts about the part of the project you are going to take on, don't be afraid of expressing them, you are only helping the team by doing so. If you had questions and doubts while discussing the objectives and such, at some point in the project someone could get stuck in their part of the project because of what you didn't said at the beginning, no one would blame you, but maybe you would feel guilty.

Définir clairement les objectifs et attentes d'un projet d'animation dès le début clarifie les rôles, facilite la gestion des échéances et permet de repérer rapidement les obstacles. Cela favorise une meilleure coordination et assure que chaque membre comprend son impact sur le projet global.

Never take on more than you know you can do. I’m always working on multiple projects where deadlines can be less than 24 hours of finding out about the deadline. With that said it’s best to do what you are great at. When you’re a master at your craft you know what is possible and the confidence shows in everything you work on. It’s easy to balance hundreds of things when you’re used to balancing thousands.

Consistent regular updates have many benefits to significantly enhance the efficiency, communication, and overall success of a project. I find it very helpful to stay up to date, as it keeps me on track. Being aware of our current stage allows me to ask questions and contribute to early problem detection. This will help me manage my expectations and plan ahead effectively.

When managing several animation projects at once, clear communication is key to keeping everything on track. I make sure to set up regular check-ins and use collaboration tools like Slack or Trello to keep everyone updated and organized. Sharing progress and any changes promptly helps prevent misunderstandings, and I encourage an open dialogue so team members feel comfortable voicing their ideas or concerns. By staying organized and maintaining open lines of communication, I ensure that everyone is on the same page and the projects move forward smoothly.

Maintenir une communication régulière via des réunions ou stand-ups favorise le suivi des projets d'animation, la résolution des problèmes et la planification. Cela crée un espace de dialogue ouvert où chacun peut partager ses préoccupations, renforçant ainsi la collaboration et le soutien mutuel au sein de l'équipe.

Effective communication in our team is reinforced through regular updates. We hold frequent meetings and provide consistent progress reports to ensure everyone is informed about the latest developments and any changes. These regular updates help address issues promptly, align team efforts, and maintain clarity on project status. By keeping everyone up-to-date, we enhance coordination, prevent miscommunication, and ensure that all team members are working towards the same objectives. This practice ultimately supports a more efficient and cohesive workflow.

Video feedback synthesis is a form of video synthesis where the main generative source of video activity is generated by some sort of iterative nonlinear process. T There are two main techniques for video feedback synthesis: camera and screen feedback, and internal feedback. For monitors you will find that general consumer quality CRTs and LCDs will work quite well. Broadcast CRT monitors can offer finer tune analog control of the video attributes as well as pass thru signals which can be useful for working with long signal chains. Some LCD screens will offer the ability to upscale SD video inputs.

Make sure to get references before you begin any project, show and lock the content created during the creation process, take it step by step

In order for a progressive workflow of the team effort, giving feedback is the way to go. Discussing between team members the why's can strongly improve one's self-confidence and trust. Sometimes there's this misunderstanding that feedback is a bad thing, because people compare it to criticism, but if we take as a positive thing where we can grow and improve amazing things can happen.

Feedback loops should maintain focus on output versus production quality. The internal process should always start with lead animators, as well as technical directors and layout. This should then be followed with director feedback and only THEN be sent to client. Also, for client liaisons/ account managers, please have your team's best interests at heart first. Clients can be needlessly fussy at times, so push back is vital. However, the same can be said for animators - if a client's vision is not being met, start with line managers, then move down.

Effective communication in our team is greatly enhanced by implementing regular feedback cycles. We actively seek and provide constructive feedback throughout the project to ensure continuous improvement and alignment. These feedback sessions help address issues early, refine our approach, and adapt to any changes quickly. By fostering an open environment where feedback is encouraged, we enhance collaboration and ensure that everyone’s input contributes to the overall success of the project. This approach ultimately leads to better results and a more cohesive team dynamic.

Some of my favorite tools that are extremly helpful for team brainstoming/ discussing sessions include Google Doc, Google Sheet and Microsoft Whiteboard. Not only they are great with real-time editing and organizing ideas, they also offer a dynamic space for collaboration. They really help in making team discussions more interactive and productive.

Even the use of Adobe Programms such as: Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc. are optimised with team share options, where your colleagues can start where you left off. And to improve this even further, one can leave some notes so that the team member that takes on your part of the project doesn't get lost in middle trying to understand the why's.

Effective communication in our team is significantly supported by utilizing advanced technology. We leverage project management tools, collaboration platforms, and communication software to streamline information sharing and coordination. These technologies enable real-time updates, efficient document management, and seamless collaboration across different locations. By integrating the right tools into our workflow, we enhance transparency, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure that everyone remains aligned and informed. This technological approach ultimately boosts our team’s efficiency and productivity.

Sin duda que unos de los aspectos positivos postpandemia es que las empresas, instituciones, organizaciones, etc. tuvieron que avanzar en el uso de las tecnologías, especialmente de streaming. En las instituciones que laboro, estas herramientas no solo han permitido una mejor comunicación, sino que ha permitido que existan jornadas laborales híbridas y con ello se ahorran dinero por el equilibrado uso de recursos como electricidad, agua, depreciasión de equipo e instalaciones, etc.

Think of managing multiple animation projects like orchestrating a global jam session. You wouldn’t schedule the drummer from Tokyo to play at 3 AM his time, right? Respect each team member’s time zones and workloads to keep the rhythm smooth and avoid burnout. By doing so, you create a harmonious work-life balance that turns chaos into a symphony of productivity and seamless communication. I am always available for any queries😁

Sometimes when working with an international team you can take this to your advantage. When working with an American company, I know my time zone is 5 hours ahead of them, so it's like I'm working into the future, so I can manage deadlines very well with this in mind.

For seamless communication you have to be proactive. Provide proper and clear brief to the team members to save precious time and efforts. Tell them to raise timely queries. Make projects flowcharts and monitor each production step. Get previews from team members on daily basis to ensure the project is going on a right track.