They are essentially rough drafts that are in progress as audio, scene storyboards, character design, soundtrack, or script is in flux. An animatic is the pre-cursor to the final animation, and is a key part of the planning process.

Animatics are used to plan an animation, and use low-resolution images to convey timing, rather than the look and feel of the final piece. I would be brought in during the early writing stages of episodes to work with the brothers while the animatic was put together. The show’s success has made it a vital part of Bleacher Report’s efforts in creating entertainment video series while establishing itself as a sports and culture publisher for millennial men. It was an instant hit - accumulating more than 2.2 million video views within the first week. The first episode of “Game of Zones,” which debuted in May 2014 on YouTube, depicted the then-defending NBA champions the Miami Heat as the Lannisters, power forward Chris Bosh as a dragon, and the San Antonio Spurs as the White Walkers. It’s incredibly funny, and it differentiates in quite a powerful way.” Richard Barker, joint managing director of M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment actually said of the show, 'There is absolutely nothing like it. Making original animated series that take a satirical spin on the sports they cover and their players has proved an important way for B/R to differentiate itself in a crowded landscape. Sports coverage is such a saturated area that digital media publishers like B/R must constantly hunt for new ways to drive new audiences, while sustaining existing ones. From the earliest episodes I was able to influence the direction of episodes and contribute ideas in the writers room and throughout the animation process to further refine concepts and make them more relatable to our fanbase.

I was given the opportunity to work with the creators of Game of Zones, Adam and Craig Malamut, from the start of the series as a creative consultant who gave them insight into deep seated NBA narratives. My role in the Game of Zones production was often to come in as a creative consultant on episodes during the early writing process to suggest layers of NBA references and deep cuts that would resonate with some of our more hard core fans.

Game of zones