So you’re bringing an animator on board. Maybe it’s for a game trailer, an in-game cutscene, or some slick UI transitions. You’ve got a vision, and you’re worried it’ll get lost in translation.
Totally fair.
Animation is part creative, part technical, and very much a team sport. The good news? You can keep your vision intact and get fresh creative input. Here’s how.
1. Share the “why,” not just the “what”.
Don’t just say “make it dramatic.” Say why it matters. Is it a turning point in the story? A reveal moment? A reward for the player?
The more context animators have, the better they can elevate your scene.
2. Reference is your best friend.
Words like “snappy” or “cinematic” can mean different things to different people. Show us what you mean. A GIF, a clip, a gameplay moment—it all helps.
Don’t worry about it being from a different genre or style. The point is to align vibes.
3. Ask for rough passes.
Early previews (called blocking or roughs) are low-detail versions that show timing and motion. This is the stage to tweak pacing, not after all the lighting and polish is done.
Pro tip: You’ll get better results when you treat early passes as collaborative checkpoints, not drafts to critique to death.
4. Trust the process (and your animator).
A good animator will surprise you, in the best way. If something’s different from what you imagined, ask why they did it that way. Often, there’s a reason you haven’t considered.
Animation thrives when there’s trust, not tight control.
5. Plan for revisions, but don’t revise forever.
Build in time for 1–2 rounds of revisions. Be specific in your feedback, and when something works, say so. It helps us lock things in and move forward faster.
Creative tension is fine. Endless loops aren’t.
TL;DR
Working with animators isn’t about handing over a script and crossing your fingers. It’s about communicating clearly, staying open, and building something better together.
When you bring animators in as creative partners—not just task-doers—you don’t just protect your vision. You level it up.
Need animation for your game, trailer, or next big launch? Let’s team up.
