Chapter 4 - The Core Team

Abstract

When you are taking the first steps to start a feature-length animated film, a direct-to-video project, or a television series, a select number of staff members need to be in place prior to the start of production. This skeletal group is what we are calling the core team. In most cases, the producer is the central person, pulling this team together based on the fiscal and creative needs of the project. The formation of the core team typically starts during development with the initial creative group, which includes the producer(s) and the writer and/or creator/originator of the concept. (See Chapter 5, “The Development Process,” for more information.) Along with this group, it is necessary to add the director(s), visual development artists, business affairs and legal executives, accountants, technology team, recruiters, training department (if applicable), and Human Resources. Some of the members of this team may already be on staff (that is, business affairs and legal staff, recruiters, training staff, and Human Resources). If this is the case, the producer brings these people into the mix on the project as necessary.