2D – 3D Animated Film
2023
Producer | Script Writer | Clean – Up Animator | Compositor
Get Gulled was developed as part of a collaborative project class at the Savannah College of Art and Design. On the first day, students pitched their ideas, and the class voted on the top three concepts. Get Gulled emerged as a favorite among the majority.
Once producer roles were assigned, my co-producer and I divided responsibilities to streamline the hybrid 2D and 3D production. This is the first time I ever took up a production management role. I fully took charge of the 2D pipeline, leveraging my experience, in 2D production. As the project progressed, I took on a larger role in production management to ensure smooth coordination, allowing my co-producer to focus on the demanding 3D modeling work.
I hope you enjoy learning my process as a producer as much as I loved being one!
File Management
Dropbox served as the primary file organization platform for the film. However, as the project evolved and the number of files and folders grew, I implemented a structured backup system. Twice a week, aligned with our class schedule, I backed up all files and retained a copy as a precaution against worst-case scenarios.
The folder structure was designed to follow the 2D production pipeline, ensuring clarity and efficiency in file management. Once set up, the shared folder was distributed to the crew via their school emails
Discord Server
Discord served as the primary communication hub for the crew. Once the server was set up, roles were assigned to ensure efficient tagging and coordination across departments. The server was structured to mirror the production pipeline, allowing team members to communicate within dedicated channels for each stage of the process.
Meetings were held both virtually via Discord and in person, ensuring flexibility and accessibility for all team members. The server’s key functions included facilitating general communication, sharing notes from dailies, providing shot updates, gathering feedback, and addressing Q&A, keeping the entire production aligned and organized.
Production Sheets Examples
I created a comprehensive Production Sheet using Google Sheets to document essential production progress and changes. This sheet served as a central hub for tracking tasks, ensuring organization and efficiency throughout the project. Our faculty supervisor required us to present production updates using a production chart. While we were provided with a preexisting template, I adapted it to better suit the needs of our production while maintaining all required components. The adapted Production Chart can be viewed within the Production Sheet below.
List of crew members initially used to determine their roles using their skill set and improve familiarity with each other among the group. The Shot List was created using conditional formatting and it includes list of characters, type of background used in each shot with respect to the camera angle and list of props required for each shot. All the production sheets are updated through the progression of the film by communication through Discord or in-person.
Film Festivals
An account on FilmFreeway was created to submit the film to various festivals worldwide. To ensure an organized and strategic submission process, I maintained a detailed tracking sheet using Google Sheets to document deadlines, submission statuses, and festival requirements.
The selection focused on festivals that highlight student films, animation, and emerging talent, maximizing the film’s visibility and impact. As acceptances and feedback rolled in, updates were shared with the crew, keeping everyone informed on Get Gulled’s journey through the festival circuit.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the film’s festival journey
Challenges and Learning Outcomes
- Rigid Production Schedule – The film was successfully completed within ten weeks without compromising quality, a challenge driven by SCAD’s rigorous quarter system. By implementing strategic planning, task delegation, and continuous progress monitoring, as a producer, I ensured a seamless process, meeting deadlines while delivering a high-quality final product.
- Balancing Multiple Roles: Stepping into my first producer role for Get Gulled meant juggling production management while contributing creatively. Learning to prioritize and delegate was essential to keeping the project on track.
- Team Coordination & Communication: Managing a collaborative team required clear communication and adaptability. I developed strategies to streamline workflows and ensure everyone had what they needed to succeed.
- Time Management Under Pressure: Overseeing schedules while handling other responsibilities taught me how to manage tight deadlines efficiently without compromising quality.
- Problem-Solving on the Go: Unexpected challenges arose throughout production, from technical issues to scheduling conflicts. I learned to think quickly and adjust plans to keep everything running smoothly.
- Resource Organization: Tracking assets, shot progress, and production documents reinforced the importance of meticulous documentation in keeping a project organized and accessible for the team.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Guiding a team as a first-time producer helped me develop leadership skills while ensuring a supportive and productive work environment for all team members.