Timesheet
A timesheet is a document of instructions that lists the timing of acting and dialogue over time, as well as camera work and special effects for filming.
The animation work involves creating inbetween shots based on this, and then completing the video as cuts.
The first step in creating an animation is to translate the instructions written in the action column by the key animator and write them in the cel column for the animation/filming.
*The content is based on our team experiences, and there are differences in procedures depending on the production studio. If you are ever on-site, please update the information with the company you are working with to reflect the situation.
①Filling out a time sheet
Although there are exceptions, most of the time the douga will come with everything except the cell columns filled in, so you just fill in the cell columns to complete the timesheet. The A. B. C. ~ in the action column directly corresponds to the A. B. C. ~ in the cell column.
The numbers written in the action column are the key animation numbers. The “・” written between them represents an inbetween.
②Filling out a time sheet
Combine the key animation numbers and the “・” and renumber them consecutively (Douga number).
Be careful not to have any duplicate or missing numbers. When doing so, the key animation number is surrounded by a circle, and the number of the animation created from a rough sketch or the Atari (アタリ) is surrounded by a triangle.
If there is a Kuchi Paku (口パク), specify the mouth shape (open mouth, medium mouth, closed mouth) to match the lines.
Roughly draw or fill the area after the final frame of the cut to indicate the end of the duration.
Key animation number => Genga number
As a general rule, genga numbers must be consecutive integer number starting from 1.
Even if the key animation on the timesheet starts with 3, the Douga number must start from 1. Even if the key animation number jumps from 1 to 3, the Douga numbers must be consecutive, including the inbetween. Do not use the same number.
Even if the key animation contains decimal points (such as 3.5 or 6.5), decimal points are (generally) not used in the Douga numbers.
The reason why there are sometimes missing numbers or decimal points in the key animation numbers is because, after the key animation is completed, the director or animation supervising person will often remove or add keys animations as part of their revision work, which means the numbers are no longer consecutive.
Even when the rough sketch contains non-numeric notations such as “A-あ” or “B-イ,” always convert them to numbers on the time sheet and then change them to video numbers.
In other words, by lookin at the number marked with an “END” mark, you can see the total number of frames in the video, which is very important for work management.
If the numbers are not consecutive or there are duplicate numbers, it will cause confusion in the later parts of the Douga, finishing and filming.
Finishing touch: “The last number is 20, but there are only 19 frames. Is there a missing number? Or did I forget to draw it?”
Photo: “Hey, I have two B-3s. Wichi one should I use?”
Things like this happen, be careful!
Just to confirm, cell A, cell B, cell C… each cell will be numbered consecutively starting from 1.