Rough Pass
A Rough Pass is an early version of an animated sequence or storyboard that shows the basic flow and main ideas of a scene. Think of it like a quick sketch before making a detailed painting. In animation and storyboarding, artists create these initial versions to establish timing, character positions, and basic camera movements without spending time on fine details. It's similar to creating a rough draft of a written document. This step helps teams quickly review and adjust the overall story flow before investing time in detailed animation work.
Examples in Resumes
Created Rough Pass animations for main character sequences in children's TV series
Delivered Rough Pass storyboards for review within 48-hour turnaround time
Supervised team of 3 artists in developing Rough Pass sequences for feature film
Typical job title: "Storyboard Artists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Storyboard Artists
Online Communities
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage a team working on rough passes for multiple projects simultaneously?
Expected Answer: A senior artist should discuss project prioritization, resource allocation, maintaining consistent quality across different projects, and methods for giving constructive feedback to team members.
Q: How do you handle major story changes that affect your rough pass workflow?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to flexible planning, quick iterations, and maintaining efficiency while accommodating significant creative changes from directors or producers.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What's your process for creating a rough pass that effectively communicates action and timing?
Expected Answer: Should describe their method for blocking out key story moments, showing clear character movement, and ensuring the sequence flows well for review.
Q: How do you incorporate feedback from directors into your rough passes?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for taking notes, making quick adjustments, and maintaining the director's vision while meeting technical requirements.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you include in a rough pass?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic character poses, main actions, simple camera movements, and timing indicators - focusing on clarity over detail.
Q: How do you organize your rough pass files and versions?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic file naming conventions, version control, and organization methods for keeping track of different versions and feedback.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic storytelling through simple drawings
- Understanding of animation principles
- Basic digital art tools usage
- Following established style guides
Mid (2-5 years)
- Efficient rough pass creation
- Strong visual storytelling
- Working within tight deadlines
- Collaboration with directors and teams
Senior (5+ years)
- Team leadership and mentoring
- Complex scene visualization
- Project management
- Advanced storytelling techniques
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to work quickly or create clear rough drawings
- Poor understanding of basic storytelling principles
- Difficulty accepting and incorporating feedback
- No experience with standard animation software
- Poor time management skills
Related Terms
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
From Passive to Active: Nurturing Candidates Over the Long Haul
Supercharge Your Candidate Screening: 7 Unorthodox Ways to Hire Faster Without Breaking a Sweat
The $100M Mistake: Hidden Costs of Rushed Leadership Hires (Data Study)
