The only experience I've had where work environment defined the pre-pro pipeline was when I worked IN studio rather than freelance at home. Working in studio means your hours are set, and frankly, I've seen them try to get away with more on pulling people in for overtime etc. With a studio enviornment you have people RIGHT THERE to explain themselves and their ideas to our face, which helps, especially if they're not particularly good at written communication (which surprise, most animation professionals aren't). In studio space where you're physically with people I find things work at a steady, quicker pace, and backlog, or hiccups in production are understood in a better manner because they SEE it happening, vs if you're freelance you're kind of this face that emails and they don't get to see you or inteact with you on the same level as a studio. That said, morale in studios can often be shot because of goal post moving, senior staff blow ups, etc.
I....really don't know what this question is asking. If you're curious about technology used, it's usually ToonBoom Harmony (Flash is beginning to be phased out), Cintique or wacom tablets and a whole lot of spreadsheets to keep departments on track.
Yes. All the time. Particularly between client/studio and if you don't have a production coordinator, different departments of the process get get tangled up too. Production coordinators keep that ish in check and make sure department leads are talking, so everyone gets what they need when they need it.
Yes. See above.
The place where you work should really have no effect on whether you can draw. The only time I've seen that happen was when the studio was just run by toxic people who hated each other and their constant negativity turned their artists into nervous wrecks.
The skills needed for working are communication, planning, problem solving, and a deep understanding of art and the process as a whole. Good understanding of 3D space in 2D planes is essential. Also understand that animation isn't just made by artists. There's a PLETHORA of folks in that studio who can't draw a stick figure to save their lives but who RUN the show, and keep budgets in check, departments talking to eachother, projects planned, episodes written etc.
...What? I'm...hoping this question is asking if new problemsolving techniques are applied during pre-pro so hiccups don't happen later on? If that's the question: Yes, but most established studios have already got their pipeline figured out, so the introduction of new methods can cause some trouble when it's first implemented.
No. The hard part of creating ideas for pre-production isn't generated by a tool - it's generated by a person. 3D programs, 2D programs, traditional mediums all mean squat if you don't have the creative there to come up with the idea in the first place. Ideas do not come from tools, they come from people.
Hope this helped.
