Keyframes and Cardboard Props - The Cinematic Process Behind 'God of War'

Explore the innovative cinematic techniques behind God of War's captivating sequences in this 54-minute GDC talk by lead narrative animator Erica Pinto. Delve into the unconventional approach used by the team, covering topics such as the previs process, staging, live action reference, rough mocap, and creating "business." Learn about scene assembly, including editing results and animation, as well as the polishing stages that achieve the "buttery smooth" pass and armor variants. Gain insights into the order of operations and the new beginning that shaped this acclaimed game's narrative animation process.

Intro
Introduction: A New Beginning
Order of Operations
The Previs Process: Staging
The Previs Process: Live Action Reference
The Previs Process: Rough Mocap
The Previs Process: Creating "Business"
The Previs Process: Sets and Props
The Previs Process: Traditional Layout
Scene Assembly: Editing Results
Scene Assembly: Animation!
Polish: The "Buttery Smooth" Pass
Polish: Armor Variants