Leica Reel
A Leica Reel (also known as Story Reel or Animatic) is a rough draft video that animators and filmmakers create before making the final animation. Think of it like a moving storyboard - it combines still drawings with basic timing, sound, and camera movements to show how the final animation will look and feel. It's named after the Leica camera historically used to photograph storyboards. This tool helps studios save time and money by testing the story flow before starting expensive animation work. When you see this term in resumes, it means the person has experience in planning and visualizing animated content before full production begins.
Examples in Resumes
Created Leica Reel and Story Reel presentations for major animated feature film projects
Developed Leica Reels to visualize complex action sequences in animated TV series
Supervised team of artists in producing Story Reel and Animatic content for commercial projects
Typical job title: "Storyboard Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Storyboard Artists
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Events & Conferences
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a team to deliver a Leica Reel on a tight deadline?
Expected Answer: Should discuss project planning, resource allocation, maintaining quality while meeting deadlines, and how to coordinate between storyboard artists, timing specialists, and sound designers.
Q: How do you handle major story changes requested by directors after the Leica Reel is nearly complete?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to restructuring story reels efficiently, managing team morale during revisions, and maintaining version control while implementing significant changes.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for timing out scenes in a Leica Reel?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they determine proper pacing for scenes, handle dialogue timing, and adjust story flow based on initial viewings.
Q: How do you ensure continuity between scenes in a Story Reel?
Expected Answer: Should discuss methods for maintaining character consistency, scene transitions, and overall story flow throughout the reel.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic elements do you include when creating a simple Leica Reel?
Expected Answer: Should mention storyboards, basic timing, temporary sound effects, dialogue placement, and simple camera movements.
Q: How do you organize your storyboard panels before assembling them into a Story Reel?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic file organization, naming conventions, and preparation of assets for assembly into the reel.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic storyboard creation
- Simple scene timing
- Understanding of animation principles
- Basic video editing software knowledge
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced timing techniques
- Sound integration
- Camera movement planning
- Story flow optimization
Senior (5+ years)
- Team leadership
- Complex project management
- Director collaboration
- Production pipeline expertise
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic animation principles
- Lack of video editing software experience
- No knowledge of standard animation production pipeline
- Unable to work with timing and sound synchronization
Related Terms
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