A complex 3D animated investment prospectus
completed in 3 weeks!
Background
Echo Investment and AFI Europe, real estate companies in Europe, contacted our animation studio for a tough challenge. They wanted a 3D animation of their project on Towarowa 22 in Warsaw. This project was about turning an old printing house site into a park and a lively urban space for better community living. They chose us because other studios said it was too complicated to do in such a short time.
challanges
time – the biggest challange
Creating a 3D animation within a three-week timeframe presents significant challenges, especially when developed from scratch. Our 3D studio hired by Echo Investment faced these main difficulties:
- Limited Timeframe: The tight deadline required efficient time management and prioritization to complete the animation from start to finish.
- Resource Management: Ensuring access to necessary tools and hardware was critical, given the project’s short timeline.
- Project Complexity: The intricate processes of 3D modeling, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering etc. demanded specialized expertise.
- Quality Expectations: Despite time constraints, the studio was expected to deliver a high-quality final product, leaving no room for errors.
- Revisions and Feedback: Rapid iterations based on feedback were essential, challenging the team’s ability to make quick adjustments.
- Team Coordination: Effective communication and collaboration were crucial to keep the project on track under a tight schedule.
- Health and Well-being: The intense work pace required attention to the team’s physical and mental health, emphasizing the need for breaks and self-care.
the process
What are the steps in the process?
After our video call with the client, we first put together a voiceover to set the tone and direction for the project. Once that was in place, we quickly moved on to working on the storyboard. At the same time, to make sure we could meet the very tight deadline, we began creating 3D models of the client’s buildings. We tackled the voiceover, storyboard, and 3D modeling in this order to ensure everything was completed on time and looked great, just as the client wanted.
Video call meeting with the client to gather information and project details.
Create 3D models of the buildings – only after the meeting did we start to create 3D models of the buildings to meet the deadline.
Create voiceover – necessary to capture the tone of the entire animation.
Create storyboard – hand-drawn pictures that represent key frames in the animation.
Create simplified animation – an animatic to showcase the camera movement and environment to the client.
Music production – we produced music exclusively for this project.
Video call meeting for client revisions.
Editing – combining all elements: 3D animation, music, voiceover, and additional color grading.
Rendering process – we used a render farm to accelerate the animation rendering process.
Final animation – delivered a high-quality final product to the client in only three weeks!
After the meeting, we wasted no time diving into the task, meticulously crafting detailed 3D models of the buildings. With our deadline looming, speed was of the essence, but we didn’t compromise on quality. We put in long hours, striving to ensure that every aspect of the models was perfect and aligned with the project’s specifications. Our dedication paid off as we delivered top-notch models right on schedule, meeting our client’s expectations with precision and excellence.
fast
3d modeling
3d modeling
After the meeting, we promptly began creating detailed 3D models of the buildings, working diligently to meet our deadline while ensuring they met all requirements.
the storyboard
Storyboarding is a crucial stage in our workflow, where we translate ideas and concepts into visual narratives. It involves a collaborative effort between our team members, including artists, writers, and directors. Initially, we brainstorm concepts and key scenes, sketching rough outlines tovisualize the storyline. As the narrative takes shape, we refine each scene, paying close attention to composition, pacing, and visual aesthetics.
SCENE 1 – we will showcase one scene out of the six included in the storyboard to give you an idea of our workflow.
VOICEOVER
„IImagine a place where you can comfortably live, work, rest and spend your free time. A place full of greenery, that is in harmony with nature.
A place open to all including residents and tourists. Where one can enjoy peace and quiet while being in the centre of the city, since that is where we are – in the middle of Warsaw’s Wola district. This is where we have created a unique project, a place that is easy to get to and
somewhere you will wish to stay for longe
SCENE 1 – SHOT 1 – ‘beauty shot’
A quiet park with a yellow and white building – the camera slowly moves around the park, showing the green trees and pathways inside. It’s morning, and the sunlight is nice and soft. It’s a beautiful scene right in the middle of the park.
The key message: This scene feels peaceful and calm, with lovely light and a sense of quietness. Everything starts to wake up, and viewers might wonder where they are, feeling amazed.WOW#1.
SCENE 1 – SHOT 2 – ‘master shot’
In this scene, we show all the buildings in the investor’s project, giving a complete view of the entire investment site. This shot is like a big picture puzzle piece that helps plan how we’ll film the rest.
As the camera pulls back, we see more than just the park. We also catch glimpses of the white hall and the “House of the Polish Word,” along with other nearby buildings. Even though we’re moving away from the center of the park, the trees are still visible. It’s all happening in the fresh morning light .
The key message: This scene tells us something important: the park isn’t alone. It’s part of a bigger city area. It shows us we’re right in the middle of the busy city, not out on the edges. As people watch, they see they’re in a lively place.
When the camera rises up, it gives us a wider view of everything around, but it’s not quite like looking down from the sky yet.
And that’s our second big moment that makes people say WOW#2
SCENE 1 – SHOT 3 – ‘the map shot’
As the camera keeps going up, it gives us a bigger view of everything around, like looking at a map from above. We start seeing street names like “Towarowa,” “Miedziana,” “Pańska,” and “Wronia” appearing on the grid.
The key message:
This moment is all about making people go “WOW!” because now we’re sure that what we’ve been seeing is all part of one place: a park, buildings, and pathways. From now on, viewers know they’re right in the heart of Warsaw.
It’s like solving a puzzle, with each piece fitting perfectly to show the bigger
picture. And when the camera rises even higher, it’s like opening up a whole new world, making everyone say WOW#3
SCENE 1 – SHOT 4 – „retro shot”
The camera moves dynamically to the main entrance the „House of the Polish Word”(a transitional moment). After showing retro photos, camera flies out
towards the second outlet (to the park), from which we will start scene 2.
The key message: the culmination of Scene 1, which is meant to be a teaser for what’s to come in the next scenes. By entering through the camera’s lens, we are transported back in time, witnessing a historical narrative unfold. The viewer accompanies us as we step into the house, traversing through the door into the realm of this place’s historical tale, marking only the outset of our journey.
We received old-fashioned photos from the client, and we improved them by adding 3D effects to match the main project of the 3D animation. Watch the results:
END OF SCENE 1
This scene is just one part of the detailed plan we made for our client. We carefully created six scenes, each with its own design, and this one shows how we work creatively.
Every picture in the plan is like a map for the final video, showing us where to go. We think about things like where to put the camera, how the
characters look, and what the place looks like. We keep changing and improving the plan until it matches what the client wants.
The storyboard helps us know what to do during the video-making process. It doesn’t just show the order of events but also captures the feeling of the story. By planning like this, we make sure our videos are even better than what the client hoped for, making their ideas come to life on screen.
animatic
The next step was to create an „Animatic” (simplified animation) wich gives a preview of a project. This animation is made specifically to be shown to the client for their feedback or approval before finalizing the project. It’s a way to visually communicatev ideas and concepts in a more dynamic and engaging way than static images or descriptions.
animatic
„simplified animation”
In the animatic phase, we lay the groundwork for your animation. This serves as a blueprint, giving us a vision of how your final animation could look and move. We use low-quality video to create a sneak peek of what’s to come. Our goal? To make sure the animatic reflects exactly what you want in the finished product, ensuring your animation turns out just the way you imagined.
the final masterpiece
After the client reviewed the animatic and provided feedback, we tirelessly worked day and night, collaborating closely with the film director, marketing team, and key stakeholders in our company to revise the animation multiple times, ensuring it reached the highest possible standard. During this time, we also produced music with various arrangements and recorded voiceovers with both US and UK dialects to cater to different audiences. Three weeks later, we proudly presented the completed animation, complete with bespoke music and voiceover.
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