A background artist is expected to study the script and the storyboard to gain some ideas about an appropriate setting for each scene. The background is a stage for the characters to act in, so the background artist closely resembles a set designer on a movie or a play. The background artist and the layout artist work closely to gather together any ideas concerning each background. Once the appropriate backgrounds are selected, they are then designed in pencil, later to be redrawn, by the background artist, in color for the final production. While painting, it is a background artist's job to decide the locale, the interiors, the exteriors, and the details of each scene. Establishing a mood and atmosphere for the scene is also required during this stage.

VOICE ARTISTS

Talented voice artists record the script while the other artists are still developing the character images. Dialogue is recorded before the scenes are animated so the voice characterization is able to be broken down into the single frame language used in animation. During their work sessions, the voice artists are being guided by the voice director who sits outside the recording booth near the sound technicians. Many times a voice artist must perform unusual sounds with his or her voice in order to fit the description of a certain character.

MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS

Like the voices of each character, the music is recorded before any animation takes place. The soundtrack of the movie or cartoon will be recorded broken down, frame by frame, so that the animation will match, or synchronize, with the dialogue and music. The music plays an important role in any movie or cartoon because it fills the production with realism and energy. Often, a composer composes specific music for a scene so that it fits the sequence and action of that scene.

The funny little sounds that occur throughout entire animation help to bring life to the production. People called Foley artists provide most of the sound effects heard like footsteps, rain, brooms, etc. Unlike the music and voices, sound effects are recorded while the artists watch the action on a large screen. Several 'takes' or recordings are done to make sure the timing is correct. Using high-tech sound equipment like mixers, equalizers and computers, sound effect artists combine the recorded sounds to exactly match the action of the picture.

STORY REEL

The story sketches from the storyboard and the layout artists are photographed on motion picture film or video at the approximated length they will be when they are animated scenes. The dialogue recorded earlier is finally put together with the picture using temporary music and sound effects. For the first time, the animators will have a close look at how the picture may look in its final form. Changes in scene length will be easily spotted when first seeing the story on film. Also, some scenes or sequences may need to be redone, or even prove to be unfitting.

ANIMATION

At the start of the animation stage of a production an experimental animation is done to refine the design and acting of the character. During this stage rough model sheets are developed to show the characters' basic design and proportion. Animators receive layouts, dialogue tracks and an exposure sheet (a list of frames, dialogue animation drawings, and camera instructions for each scene) from the director for the specific scenes that are being worked on. First, the animator creates a key-pose test, in which each key drawing is held for the number of frames that will be needed for the in-between drawings. After, a rough in-between test is performed. This test includes all drawings necessary to complete the entire action. Finishing this process, the scenes are still in a rough drawing style. Animators continue this process of holding one or several tests of a scene in place until the final timing is worked out and approved by the director.

WORK REEL

The work reel replaces the story reel after the rough pencil test scenes are cut into it, replacing the corresponding story sketch. The director waits until there are enough rough test scenes cut into the work reel before he or she reviews them and okays then for clean-up. The director reviews each scene to insure that they work together with proper continuity