A FableVision Journey: The Production Process

One of most common questions FableVision interns ask during their interviews is, “So how do you create all of these games and apps?” While I’m sure we wish the answer was simply “we snap our fingers and magic happens,” in reality the solution is much more complicated. As an example, let’s look at a recent video FableVision produced for EDmin.

Although this video is just one and a half minutes long, it actually took two weeks and eight people to complete. Animation, script, sound, and video editing are just a few of the tasks needed for this project to reach fruition. In this post, you will get an inside peek into the studio and our tried and true formula for success.

Step 1: Project Proposal

It all starts with an idea. A client approaches us with their objective and the FableVision proposal team responds with a creative solution (or two). The amount of flexibility we have in design varies from project to project. Sometimes people will come in with a clear vision while others may present us with only an idea of what they want. In that case, it’s up to FableVision’s creative interpretation to push it to the next level.

Step 2: FabLab

After the proposal is approved, the next step is an all-day brainstorming session - what we call "the FabLab" - with the FableVision team and our clients. Together, the team constructs their game plan  This marathon collaboration serves to construct goals and define the parameters of the project, clearing up any questions from the project proposal.

Step 3: Define and Design

This is where we get into the nitty gritty of the project. After establishing guidelines and goals, the production team (including both FableVision personnel and content advisors) breaks down the process into specific deadlines and objectives. A team usually contains a developer, producer, artist/animator, sound engineer, and whatever else a specific product needs (e.g., creating a website would require an interface designer). Together, they put the project under greater scrutiny and make a lot of changes. At the end of this step, we have a clear idea of how this project will take form and when.

Step 4: Build and Launch

Step 4 is the final production stage, but also one of the longest. The actual implementation and build-out of the project is carried out at this point, as our artists and programmers collaborate to create the finished and tangible product. From there, the client and team launches the project on its target platform, which could be uploading it on the App Store to putting it on television.

Step 5: Celebrate!

Every Monday we have an office meeting that highlights the progress of all our current projects and display all of our shiny new products! This is our opportunity to give others a pat on the back for a job well done. Some projects are over quickly (two weeks to a month) while others take a little longer (some are over a year long!). But regardless of the time commitment, FableVision follows this polished formula for success. And congrats to you too! You just made it through your very first FableVision production process!

Still want to learn more? Here's a video about our production process, explained by our very own FableMonsters:

8 Tips to Remember when Internship-Hunting

Us interns here at FableVision have been in your shoes (and we very well might be again!). Internship-hunting can be stressful, confusing, and fairly intimidating. We’re here to give you eight quick tips that should give you a kickstart to your journey, as well as provide some guidance along the way.

1. Get a head start.

Give yourself a good six months to become familiar with the businesses or organizations you're interested in. Preliminary research is key, and that takes a decent amount of time. Internships are competitive, especially in Boston and other major cities. Time and research makes you a more competitive applicant. All of this will lead to…

2. A rockin' cover letter.

Most internship applications require at least a cover letter and your resume. The cover letter is important: this is where you get to show off all your research and company familiarity! Keep it straightforward - you don't want to waste their time - and don't be afraid to brag a bit. They want to know why they should choose you, so tell them!

3. Shoot for the stars... and have a back up.

Maybe you've seen the movie The Internship, and ever since you've dreamed of interning at Google. That's awesome! But it's also extremely competitive (sorry for the reality check). Go ahead and apply to those big, dream-status places, but also apply to some less competitive ones. Find out what internships are available in your town. Even if you intern for a small, locally-owned business, getting experience is what ultimately matters. And who knows, maybe you'll discover a passion for small businesses in the process!

4. Use other colleges' resources.

When I was internship-hunting, I used my college's internship lists and database. Unfortunately, it was not a very extensive list for what I was looking for (editorial and marketing internships). I found myself on UCONN's and BU's internship resources for their students, which was much more extensive and thorough. You have free access to it, so why not use it?

5. Don’t be afraid to ask friends and family for help.

Maybe you have a family friend who is in the same industry and could provide invaluable advice on where to apply, what they are looking for in an intern, etc. Many people look down on using “connections” as a means to an internship, but remember: it only gets your foot in the door. It’s up to you to make the most of your opportunities and show them what you can do.

6. Interview with your personality.

Your cover letter and resume may provide the skeleton, but it’s up to your interview to put some meat on those bones. An interview tells your potential employer about your personality and allows you to show how competent, charming, and good-looking (optional) you really are. Remember: don’t act like someone you are not! Honesty is the best policy. A mix of professional knowledge and personal anecdotes can go a long way.

7. Dress to impress

If you are lucky enough to get an interview, just remember: it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.

8. Breathe. You did it!

Internship hunting can be a really stressful process, especially if you have submitted a dozen CVs and have zero new messages in your inbox. Just remember, everyone is going through this same process. Take a step back, stretch your legs, relax. You’ve done your best, and that’s something to feel proud of.

If you follow these eight steps, we’re pretty sure you’ll have a great shot at landing an internship. Good luck, and know that you’ve done your best!

A Look at the Art Interns

At FableVision, the art interns play an integral role. With their tablets set up and styluses in hand, our three summer art interns work to keep the animation process smooth and speedy. Here's an inside look at what it's like to work as a FableVision art intern. If you want to hear their back stories, hobbies, or see samples of their art work, check out the Meet the Art Interns post on the FableBlog!

Here's a little back story. Stephan, an illustration and animation student at Rhode Island School of Design, explains how he found FableVision:

I was looking for an internship that involved animation and had a close focus on teamwork involved. When my school sent out an email about FableVision's summer internship program, I checked out their website and immediately loved the aesthetic.

Now that I'm interning here, my favorite part about working at FableVision is the weekly Monday meetings. They are so much fun, and it gives me a chance to see what all the other people in the Studio are working on. These meetings definitely embody the teamwork aspect I was looking for in an internship.

What are they working on now? Brendan, an animation student at Rochester Institute of Technology, shares his experiences thus far:

As a student, the goal of any internship is to immerse yourself in a professional working environment to get an idea of how the industry works. What's great about FableVision is that it's a smaller studio with close relationships and frequent communication among the staff. It's easy to talk to different artists about their work and ask questions. As interns we also get to sit in on staff meetings to learn more about how everything works in a client-based business, which is a rare and valuable experience.

I love animating with the other art interns. We get to work hands-on with various animation projects, surrounded by other professional artists, and looking out at a beautiful view of Boston. For a rookie animator, it couldn't get much better than this.

Brendan explains the intern project:

Our main project has been animating a short called “The Testing Camera" by FableVision founder and New York Times bestselling children’s book author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds. It's a story about standardized testing and the effect it has on kids. Peter sends the art interns drawings of characters and scene layouts, and we animate the scenes in Flash. The three of us work together while animating to make sure the scenes are consistent in style and narrative, and to push through various technical challenges.

Peter has a distinct artistic style, which is exciting and challenging to interpret as an animator. It’s great to be pushed out of our comfort zone; being immersed in this project teaches us how to incorporate our own creativity into a project while respecting somebody else’s vision. It’s a much different process than working on independent projects as a student, and a great way to learn about how a studio works and communicates.

Jazmine, an animation student at the School for Visual Arts, provides her perspective on "The Testing Camera":

I really love this project, not only because it's challenging artistically but also because I can relate to it. As a child, I struggled with standardized testing in school, and I feel like this film hits the nail right on the head.

We’re excited to see the final product of “The Testing Camera,” especially knowing that our art interns helped it all along the way!

Are you an art or animation student and interested in interning at FableVision? Check out our jobs and internships page for a job description and application details.

A Day in the Life

Sometimes being an intern can be rough - juggling phone calls while conducting research and sending emails, and there's a meeting coming up in five minutes! But other times - all of the time - it's really awesome. Interns have the honor of making peoples' lives easier while learning new skills themselves. Even just by doing a quick social media write-up or running down the street to get a cup of coffee for someone who's really busy, every little bit helps make the workplace run smoother and more efficiently. Below are some pictures illustrating an average day in the life of a marketing intern at FableVision. Enjoy the journey!

10:00 AM

It’s almost the long weekend so there's not as many calls as there usually is. It took Amy and I about a week to figure out the phones here. The first day we even dropped it… multiple times. There are sticky notes to help you out if you ever get confused!

12:00 PM        

We have an hour for lunch which is awesome! Despite the heat, it is beautiful out and it always looks pretty out on the water. The studio is in South Boston, right on the harbor! There are a lot of places to go for food, including Au Bon Pain, which is in the lobby. A personal favorite of ours is Flour Bakery which is only a three-minute walk.

2:00 PM

Coffee break! I may be a full grown adult, but I will never get used to waking up at 6:30 a.m. Therefore caffeine is a must!

4:00 PM

The lovely Amy is jammin' to the office’s classic '80s playlist.

9:00 AM

An hour later after getting on the commuter rail and taking the orange and red line, I have finally arrived at 308 Congress St. It’s currently 83 degrees out so I am going to go de-heat and try to fix my hair. (Side note: the bridge crossing to our side of the street is a wind machine, so beware!)

11:00 AM

This is an office of healthy eaters (mostly), so I’m going to pick up lunch at Sweetgreen, a salad restaurant that's down the street. Yum!

1:00 PM

Mid-day meeting with our marketing advisors, Andrea and Sarah! Amy is rockin’ a blazer today so she's ready to take on any new tasks we may have. Watch out, Andrea is a very serious and stern person!

Left to right: Amy (intern), Andrea (Solutions Architect), Sarah (Marketing Coordinator).

3:00 PM

Time to work on a case study! These are one of the many things marketing interns work on. A case study is a document we write that covers information on the start, production, completion, and launch of a project that the FableVision team has created.

5:00 PM

Good-bye FableVision Studios! It’s the long weekend, and everyone in the office is excited for the 4th of July. We’ll see you next week!