The animation pre-production process begins with a strong core concept, which is the fundamental idea or premise of the story—the “what if” that drives the project. This early stage involves intensive brainstorming, research, and collaborative sessions to solidify the central theme, tone, and genre. The goal is to establish a unique hook that can sustain a feature film, series, or short.

Once the concept is approved, it is refined into a synopsis or logline, a concise summary (typically 1–2 sentences for a logline, or a short paragraph for a synopsis) that encapsulates the main conflict, protagonist, and stakes. This brief document serves as the project’s internal elevator pitch, ensuring all stakeholders—from the director to the investors—are aligned on the narrative’s direction before any significant artistic work begins.

This foundational phase is crucial because it minimizes costly changes down the line. A vague or poorly defined concept inevitably leads to scope creep and story problems during production. By rigorously challenging and refining the core idea early on, the team establishes a clear, unwavering creative compass for the subsequent development stages, ensuring maximum narrative coherence.