:: Introduction of anime production :: » Director(*1) The average cut number(*2)for half an hour of animation in Japan is 200 to 300 cuts(*3). It consists of about 3000 to 4000 pieces of hand drawn key frames(*4) , in-betweens(*5) and digital inkings(*6). All of this work requires at least 50 animators(*7) to create in a reasonable time frame. Now please try to imagine what would happen if there was no big picture in the beginning. How would the crews(*8) know what the goals are? That is why we need a director to lead everybody to the right place. The live action(*9) director and anime director do pretty much the same. The main difference between the two is that the anime director doesn't have to deal with "real" actors/actresses (and worry about if they have right flowers or mineral water in their dressing room...etc.). On the other hand, animators are the "actors/actresses" as they are the persons who move the characters and give the correct visual appearance. Other than the story-boarding process, the basic work for the director is to "just" attend one meeting after another to make decision. It might look pretty easy for all the director has to do is "sit there and give orders". But we should not forget that the directors are dealing with professional artists and that needs a certain "experience" plus the skills to convince these pros have them create the best visual effect from paper to the screen. Because there are so many meetings(*10) to attend and people that a director has to talk to, it is easier for the staff to work with a director who can give clear and convincing instructions. Also the pressure is always high, since nobody is 100% sure if the anime they're making will be embraced by the audience in the end. How to become a director? There is no how-to manual. Becoming a director does not depend on how long you worked in the industry or your academic background. The basic requirements are "very well experienced with the production process", "good communication skills" and "your own visualization style". Based on these requirement, most of director in Japan start out coming from basic in-between animator(*11) or junior production manager(*12). The main reasons people start from the bottom are: 1. The animation production(*13) process is complicated and unique. As we mentioned in the beginning, because there are no real human beings for anime director to direct (change of actors costumes, retaking one shot, changing the lighting) the anime director have to know very well how to present a 2D character on screen with limited budget and time. It is the fastest way to learn things from start to finish by getting your own experience and acquire other people's knowledge by working with them. 2. You will get to know a lot of insiders(*14) through your work and thus have a better chance to promote yourself to the right person. Usually, a fast learner will get credits by working as an assistant directing different kinds of TV anime or game series in the beginning and eventually have gathered enough respect to get the chance to direct a 30 minutes TV episode. After comes usually the responsibility for whole 13 to 26 or even 52 episodes TV series. It is however very unlikely if not outright impossible for a young director to be asked to direct an animated movie(*15), as these jobs require a very good and long reputation in the industry, plus there are serious sales targets to be met. We will keep adding more information about how to draw/read a storyboard and the work of an assistant director. »»Next: Character Designer (*)Terms in Japanese *1 Director = =KanToKu *2 Cut Number = = KatToSuu *3 Cut ==KatTo *4 Key frame = =GenGa *5 In-between = =DouGa *6 Digital inking = =DeJiTaRu ShiAGe *7 Animator ==ANiMeTaa *8 Crews = =SeiSaKu ChiMu, SeiSaKu Han (example:Tenchi-Han, Megami-Han...etc) *9 Live action = =JisSha *10 meetings= In preproduction: script, character design, mecha design, art concept, background art, music. In production: layout, talk to assistant director of each episode, check and touch-up each storyboard, animation review. In post production:Editing, dubbing, voice over session and PR events. *11 In-between animator = = DouGa TanTou, DouGa Man *12 Junior production manager = =seisaku shinkou *13 animation production = =ANiMe SeiSaKu *14 Insider = =GyouKaiJin, KannKeiSha *15 animated movie = =GeKiJyouBan © AIC. All rights reserved. We welcome you to contact us if you have any question toward this website. If your questions are related to our anime work or this column, please send your question by e-mail to here.	Index Planning-1 (2003-07-01) Planning-2 (2003-07-11) Budgeting (2003-07-31) Scenarios (2003-08-28) Director (2003-12-18) Character designer (2004-06-03) Storyboard, storyboard artist and episode director (2004-07-01)