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Background
Colleagues from the Media Services team (a separate team within USQ, but who were very close mentors and I worked closely with for professional development opportunities & to assist as needed) reached out for my assistance on producing an animated video to promote USQ’s Research Data Bank services for a recent ICT project, as this was closely aligned to the department I was working under. With the opportunity to work closely with the Media Services team, I took on the job and got to work.

Production Process
I met with the client alongside the Workflow Coordinator (Production) for some background on the project and some of the key messaging and format. The client also provided an animated video from another University as a reference for the desired type of style and tone. The client had asked me to develop a concept and script as a starting point.

As this was one of multiple deliverables (others including printed promotional collateral), I collaborated with colleagues within Media Services on developing a script to ensure consistency in language. The client provided feedback on the script on the content accuracy, and was happy to proceed.

I then worked to develop a storyboard based on this script. I explored a “flat graphic” visual style which was designed entirely from scratch within Adobe Illustrator. The client reviewed the storyboard and made some script changes upon reviewing the visuals. Once this feedback was applied, the project proceeded to production.

I performed the voiceover with guidance from the Workflow Coordinator (Production) who is an experienced vocal artist and coach. One of my fellow colleagues in the Production team recorded me performing the voiceover in the vocal booth and performed post-production to the recording. Once I received this file, I selected suitable music to set the tone of the video.

I began converting the storyboards into separate digital layers and began applying my animation skills to bring the process to life using Adobe After Effects. To show my eagerness to collaborate with the Media Services team, I provided a daily “animatic” render of the current state of the animation, so the team could see what stage the production was sitting at. Throughout production, I consulted with experienced colleagues within Media Services for feedback on certain visual elements and best practice techniques to ensure I considered feedback from other creative professionals. Once completing the animation, I began obtaining sound effects from licensed stock sites and dropping them into the project.

After finalising this proof, I consulted with colleagues in the team before proceeding to send the final video proof to the client for feedback. After the client circulated the video to the project board, the video was approved with no feedback and job wrapped.

This remains one of my favourite animated pieces of work which I have undertaken.