Sponge Bob Animatic Example

SpongeBob SquarePants used animatics extensively in its production process as a crucial step between storyboarding and final animation. Here’s how animatics were used in the show’s development:

Storyboarding First

Before an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants goes into full animation, the team creates detailed storyboards that lay out the key scenes, character poses, and major actions.

Creating the Animatic

The storyboard images are scanned and assembled into a timeline.
Temporary voice acting (sometimes from the real cast, but often rough recordings) is synced with the storyboard panels.
Basic sound effects and music are added to set the timing and pacing.
Some limited movement, such as pans, zooms, and fades, is applied to give a sense of how the final animation will play out.

Refining Timing and Jokes

Animatics allow the directors and animators to tweak timing, dialogue, and humour before committing to full animation.

Sending to Animation Studios

Once the animatic is approved, it is sent to overseas animation studios (like Rough Draft Korea), where the final animation is produced using traditional or digital techniques.