What is a 3D Layout Artist | Exploring the Magic behind Animation Cameras

In this video, we dive into the often overlooked world of 3D Layout Artists in the animation industry. Have you ever wondered what exactly a Layout Artist does? Join me as I break down the role from my own experience, discussing everything from camera work to staging shots. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about the inner workings of animation, this video is for you!
\\ My Links \\
linkedin: / jovan-t
email: [e-mail]
\\ Chapters \\
00:00 Introduction
00:40 My background/pre-cursor
01:03 What is a Layout Artist
01:45 Rough Layout
04:33 Final Layout
05:24 Other Types of Layout
06:11 Conclusion

[@Justin_Ly]

Banger!!! 🎉

[@JovanTutorials]

Thanks Justin!

[@Shka_maru]

Great video. Thanks for explaining it. I've always wondered the difference between Previz and Layout. Seem super similar.
I've been wanting to learn previz/layout for a while, especially since I'm getting more into 3D animation.
I have sooo many questions, but if I could only ask one, what is your process to camerawork? Like, you roughly animate characters first then cameras? How do you use the camera rig and not get confused with all the controls? When you work on a shot, is the camera in stepped mode or spline?

[@JovanTutorials]

Hey! Happy you enjoyed the video. Great questions!
With my process, I start by roughly blocking out the movement of my characters, then frame the camera around them, and adjust both the camera and characters from there until I've found the general movement that I'm after. Then giving more detail to the characters after that. It's a bit of a dance between camera and character, but definitely starting with placing characters in positions in my scene first.

[@JovanTutorials]

As far as the camera rig and controls go, it all depends on the shot and the company that I'm working at. Each company has its own unique camera rig to work with and get used to. But I like to place my camera in its starting position and if there's any movement just try to keep it as simple as possible at first, to try and get from point A to B. So seeing if it's achievable with just pans, tilts and rolls first, or just with a dolly, track or boom. Then if a more difficult move is necessary, planning it out from there to not have too many stray keys on my timeline

[@JovanTutorials]

And as for curves, I like to keep mine either as splines or linear on the camera, and keep my characters usually initially as stepped but then moving to splines if their actions will be motivating the camera. So, of the camera isn't moving I'll keep my characters stepped at first. But if the camera is moving I'll have the characters splined

[@JovanTutorials]

I hope this answers your questions, feel free to ask anything else as well:))