Directing and Concepting for Animation
A course by ZeppelinAnimation directors
A course by Zeppelin, Animation directors
Learn how to create stories and portray them in an animated spot: from the concept to the finished product
If you want to take your animation scripts to the next level, it’s important to lay the foundations of the script’s structure, coming up with a good concept, and thinking about how to reach the viewer or customer. Henry and Nelson, from Zeppelin Creative Studio, have a great career as animation directors and, in this course, they’ll guide you to lead a 15’’, 30’’, or 1-minute-long animation project.
Learn how to concept a script and add the appropriate emotion, rhythm, editing, and visuals to make it grow and captivate the viewer in the development and preproduction stage. In addition, they’ll give you the keys to present your project.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 15 downloads
Influences part 2
6 minutes, 48 seconds
What will we do during the course?
46 seconds
Order and script evaluation
18 minutes, 37 seconds
Reference search and emotional center
13 minutes, 26 seconds
The use of intrigue and transitions part 1
6 minutes, 31 seconds
The use of intrigue and transitions part 2
11 minutes, 35 seconds
What's included in this course?
Nelson and Henry will start the course telling you about Zeppelin Creative Studio's trajectory, their evolution, and who their referents are.
You'll learn the steps to follow since you receive the client briefing for the creation of a spot, reviewing the important points. Taking out a concept for the script structure will be your first step. You should ask yourself some questions such as: where is the climax? where are the characters presented? or, where does it occur? among others.
In short pieces, each frame, light, or movement is communicating something and you’re going to need references for each part of the story. Here you may come up with ideas for shots, transitions, or actings.
You'll see the keys to carry out your narrative sketch or storyboard focusing on concepts, not finishes. You'll learn tricks to keep the viewer's attention, create intrigue, rhythm, express drama or work transitions. You'll discover how to get dynamic narratives to stimulate the viewer.
Defining the characters and the universe where everything happens will be the next step. Afterward, you'll make a selection of ideas to keep your storyboard clean before getting introduced to the animatic, a very important tool to see times, rhythm of history, music, and phrases.
The time will come to put together the final presentation with all the concept slides, storyboards, references, and more. You'll learn to establish a strategic order and, finally, you'll rehearse your presentation taking into account the tricks provided by Henry and Nelson.
What is this course's project?
You'll create a presentation where you’ll thoroughly define the script of an animated short, a storyboard and an animatic.
Who is this online course for?
Artists or communication professionals who aspire to direct or be part of a creative team for the realization of a short animated clip o ad.
Requirements and materials
It is required that you’re familiar with audiovisual terms, such as dollys, low-angle, closeups, full shots, tilts, etc. Knowing how to draw is a plus (although not essential).
As for materials, you'll need a pencil and paper to write down ideas and to sketch; also a computer with editing software to make the animatic and another to create the presentation, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Keynote.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
por el 20%
- 5 years ago
Very complete and interesting course with precise examples which makes it really enjoyable to watch and learn!
- 5 years ago
Me hubiera gustado ver mas ejemplos
- 6 years ago
Éxitos Zeppelin Creative Studio, el curso estuvo enfocado a la animación publicitaria y para publicidad estuvo impecable muy didáctico y con clara explicación. Me gustaría que propongan cursos para proyectos de animación (cortometraje, medio y largometraje).
- marcelllPLUS6 years ago
muito bom
In 2012 they were rewarded for an advertising spot for coffins, and from this, they gained as animation directors and received more commissioned scripts for this type of work that ha earned them several national and international awards. Today, their effort and dedication have placed them at the height of international markets; They have worked on campaigns for agencies in New York and Mexico City, always looking for inspiration, trends and reinventing themselves.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- Influences part 2
- What will we do during the course?
- U2
Narrative Sketch
- Order and script evaluation
- Reference search and emotional center
- The use of intrigue and transitions part 1
- The use of intrigue and transitions part 2
- Rhythm: dramatic and dynamic narratives
- The technique
- Narrative sketch
- U3
Character cocepts
- Profiles
- Locations part 1
- Locations part 2
- Storyboard in clean
- Animatic
- U4
Final presentation
- Slides Introduction
- Test
- FP
Final project
- Direction and conceptualization of animation
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for students with intermediate skills in design, animation, or creative fields who want to deepen their understanding of professional processes and modern methodologies.
It’s recommended to have a foundation in graphic design, 2D or 3D animation, or prior experience in creative projects to fully benefit from the course content and hands-on exercises.
You’ll learn how to develop creative workflows, collaborate with specialists, create characters and storyboards, explore animation and composition techniques, and craft effective proposals for clients and agencies.
The course covers the evolution of creative teams, market professionalization, animation techniques, visual storytelling, and creating visual proposals for projects in agencies and studios.
You’ll work with tools like Keynote, PowerPoint, 2D and 3D animation software, and traditional resources for storyboards and sketches. Mastery of all programs isn’t required, but familiarity helps.
The course teaches professional processes and international standards, along with presentation and communication strategies to collaborate with global agencies and enhance creative proposals.
It explores traditional frame-by-frame animation, 3D, stop motion, 2D/3D hybrids, plus techniques like ramping, live camera, visual effects, and dynamic storytelling.