In the wake of Avatar’s success, many a discussion has taken place in visualization circles about the value of high production quality and a good story. One does not have to sacrifice itself for the other. During our animation brainstorming sessions as students, our 3D Arts professor ushered us back to the 2D storyboard. We were advised to narrate our concept in a series of boxes with the most faithful renderings and intentions of our future characters or environments. “If you can’t draw it, you can’t model it.” While losing sleep over 3ds Max poly counts and the GHz coming to your render farm today, don’t forget to take time out to draw your 3D objects and nourish your imagination.
The Making of Samurai Jack shows how Genndy Tartakovsky et al. upheld the principles of uncompromised art and story.
