Berry Chka <3
New member
Hey, I am just curious as to whether pencil tests are still used by studios these days.
For those who don't know what that is, it is when the animators' drawings (done in pencil on paper) are shot in sequence as if they were finished full color animation, usually overlaid or composited against a simple outline sketch of the background art.
I know that pencil tests are used extensively in feature animation, but in TV animation, when the animation work is performed overseas, do the producers here get a chance to see an entire episode in pencil-test form? IMO, this is a valuable way for the producers to check if retakes are needed BEFORE the animation is colored. Any mistakes spotted after the animation is colored is wasted time and money, IMHO.
For those who don't know what that is, it is when the animators' drawings (done in pencil on paper) are shot in sequence as if they were finished full color animation, usually overlaid or composited against a simple outline sketch of the background art.
I know that pencil tests are used extensively in feature animation, but in TV animation, when the animation work is performed overseas, do the producers here get a chance to see an entire episode in pencil-test form? IMO, this is a valuable way for the producers to check if retakes are needed BEFORE the animation is colored. Any mistakes spotted after the animation is colored is wasted time and money, IMHO.