1. Think and Plan the Shot

• Gather or create a reference and physically act out the scene.

• Write down precise observations about behavior, timing, and intent.

• Sketch gestures and thumbnails that capture key storytelling moments.

• Describe the motion using at least three strong action words.

• Share early ideas with others and invite feedback.

• Spend time analyzing what the character wants and what stands in the way.

2. Exploration

• Keep the idea simple so the message reads instantly.

• Avoid loading storytelling poses with multiple concepts at once.

• Push yourself to explore several solutions before committing to one.

• Visualize the entire shot, from first frame to last, before animating.

3. Listen

• Listen for intent, not just instructions. What problem is being solved?

• Ask clarifying questions before animating, not after notes are given.

• Paraphrase the direction back to your lead or director to confirm alignment.

• Pay attention to what is not being said — hesitation, emphasis, or emotional subtext.

• Listen to dialogue repeatedly until timing and meaning feel inevitable.

• Stay open during notes. Defensiveness blocks understanding.

• Use listening to adjust decisions early, before work compounds.

Common Listening Mistakes

• Hearing instructions but missing the underlying intent

• Jumping into Animation before confirming understanding

• Defending work instead of absorbing the note

• Focusing on how to execute rather than why the change is needed

• Ignoring pauses, tone, or emphasis in dialogue

• Treating notes as corrections instead of guidance

• Waiting until Polish to address the unclear direction

Reminder:

Good listening reduces revisions. Great listening prevents them.

Signs You're Actively Listening

• You can clearly restate the note in your own words

• Your first pass already addresses the core concern

• You ask fewer follow-up questions later in the process

• Your work changes in the right direction, not just a direction

• Notes get smaller instead of multiplying

• Your timing improves before the polish begins

• Leads and directors trust you with broader direction

• You spend less time reworking and more time refining

Bottom line:

When you're truly listening, the work moves forward with less friction.