Quickstart for Feature Film Productions
1. Create a new production
To access the list of productions, use the navigation menu and click My Productions:
Admins can also use the Productions page to edit and delete productions:
Create a New Production
Click on the Create a new production button to make the page appear:
Enter your production name, choose a Production Type, and select your production style (2D, 3D).
Then, you must fill in technical information, such as the number of FPS, the Ration, and the Resolution.
All these data will be used when Kitsu re-encodes the video previews uploaded.
Then, you need to define your production's start and end dates.
You can define your production workflow in the next part, 3 to 6.
You need to select your asset task type (3), shot task type (4), task status (5), and asset types (6).
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To create your Production Workflow, you will select Task Types from the Global Library.
If you realize you missed some Task Types, Asset Types, or Task Statuses, you can add them later on during production.
See the Studio Workflow section.
2. Create an Asset
So, now that we have created our production and have a general grasp of the Kitsu interface, it's time to create our first asset.
On the asset page, click on Add assets.
WARNING
When you create an asset, your task workflow will be applied, and all the tasks will be created simultaneously as the asset.
A pop-up window opens:
It asks you to choose the Asset Type (1). If you didn't add a new asset type, Kitsu will provide examples such as Characters, Environment, FX, Props, etc. Let's start with a character.
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You can also customize the asset type list and the tasks pipeline. See the guide ( Customization of the workflow) for more details
We give it a Name (2) and enter a description that helps the Artist know what to do and quickly identify the asset.
Click on Confirm and stay if you have multiple assets to create.
You can change the asset type and keep adding assets.
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The newly created asset appears in the background whenever you click on Confirm and stay.
After adding your last asset, click on Confirm. It will create the asset and close the window.
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If you click on **Confirm and stay, ** realize you don't have more assets to add, and click on **Close, ** the window will be canceled.
You will also see the tasks that are selected for your assets workflow are created at the same time.
If you need to add more Assets, click the + Create assets button.
3. Create a Concept
To manage your production's concepts, go to the Concept page in the production navigation menu:
Create a Concept
To upload a concept, click the Add a new reference to concepts button.
You can upload one or several concepts at the same time.
Once you upload your previews, the concept page will look like this.
Alternatively, if you're coming from the Todo Page:
- Click Return to Production to access the dashboard.
- Navigate to the Concepts page via the main menu.
- Click Add a new reference to concepts and upload your files.
4. Create a Shot
It's time to create shots for your production.
To reach the Shots page, use the dropdown menu and click on Shots.
Click on the Add shots button to start with the shot creation.
WARNING
When you create a shot, the task workflow you have designed will be applied, and all the tasks will be created at the same time as the shot.
A new pop-up opens for the creation of the shots. You can now add sequences and corresponding shots:
Enter the first sequence, for instance, SQ01, then click add.
To add shots to this sequence, select it and type a name in the input field of the shots column (e.g SH0020), then again click add.
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You can also define padding for your shots instead of doing it manually.
If you want to name your shots ten on ten as SH0010, SH0020, SH0030, etc, set the Shot Padding to 10.
You can now see that new shots are listed and linked by their sequence: you just created the first shot of the first sequence!
Now, let's add more shots.
The input field already pre-writes an incremented name code based on your padding, so you just have to keep clicking on add to create more shots:
To add more sequences, go to the left part, type the name of your new sequence, and then click on add.
Your second sequence is selected, and you can now add shots.
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If a shot is misplaced on a sequence, you have to edit the shot in its dedicated Shot page to change the sequence. Look at the section Update your shots for more information.
5. Creating Custom Metadata Columns
To add a new custom metadata column, click on the + icon next to the Name column.
First, choose the name you prefer for your field. Then, select the appropriate Type based on your needs:
Text: This type accommodates text based input, including both letters and numbers. It offers flexibility in storing information such as descriptions, comments, or textual content.
Number: Reserved solely for numerical data. It's recommended for tracking information exclusively comprised of numerical values, such as framerates, dates, or times.
Checkbox: This option allows you to mark items as either on or off. It's suitable for tracking data with only two possible states, like indicating shots intended for a trailer cut.
List of values: With this type, you define a list of options from which only one unique element can be selected. It's ideal when you need to track data with a limited number of choices. For instance, for tracking camera movements, options like "Static," "Pan," "Tilt," or "Zoom" could be included.
List of tags: Here, you can define multiple tags. Unlike a list of values, which allows selecting only one item, this type enables selecting multiple entries from the list.
Checklist: This type presents a list of options, each accompanied by its own checkbox. It's useful for tracking minor sub-tasks associated with a shot or asset, which don't warrant their own task in the production pipeline.
WARNING
When creating Text and Number metadata types, a default value is not required upon creation.
However, when using the List of value, List of tags, and Checklist, you have to specify which values you want to include at the point of creation.
Type the list elements below Available values, and confirm them by clicking on Add value.
6. Create a Sequence
Use the navigation menu to go to the Sequences page:
You can access all the sequences in one go or per episode if your production is a TV show:
You can assign tasks, do reviews, change status, add a metadata column, fill in the description, etc.
If you click on the name of a sequence, you will see the detail page of this sequence.
On the detailed page, you have access to the sequence casting to see all the assets used in the whole sequence.
You can also access the schedule, Preview Files, Activity, and Timelog of the sequence tasks.
Create a Sequence
You can create a sequence with the + New Sequence button.
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You can create a sequence directly from here (+New sequence button) or create a sequence linked to your shots from the global shot page.
7. Create an Edit
WARNING
Per default, the Edit page will not be displayed until you have task types for it on your production library (setting page)
To use this page, you need to first create a dedicated task type on your Global Library with the Edit attribute.
See the Creating a New Task Type section to create a new Task Type.
Once you have created your Task Types on your Global Library, add them to your Production Library, you will see the Edit displayed on the navigation drop-down menu.
This new page behaves like the asset and shot global page. You can add your edits with the + New edit button.
You can assign tasks, do the review, change status, etc.
You can add a metadata column, fill in the description, etc.
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Depending on your deliveries, you can also change the resolution per Edit.
WARNING
The detail page is different from the other entities.
As Edit focuses on a specific long video, the detail page looks more like the comment detail page.
You can Rename and Delete the Edit entity on this page for the asset and shot entity.
8. Create a Breakdown List
On the left of the breakdown page is the episode/sequence/shot menu (1); you can choose between those you created. They are the right part of the screen; all the assets created are available for this production (main pack and episodes) (3). Moreover, in the middle section, it is your selection for the shot (2).
So now you have to select the shot you want to cast.
You can display the assets as text if you don't have thumbnails yet or enlarge the thumbnails size.
You may also realize an asset needs to be added to the list during your breakdown.
You can create a new asset directly from the breakdown page. Click the + on the right of the All available assets.
You can also choose multiple shots at once. Click on the first shot, hold the shift key, and click on the last shot of your selection.
Then click on the assets you want to assign: characters, backgrounds, ... from the right part (3). If you have selected multiple shots, your selection is applied to the numerous shots.
Copy a shot filled with assets and paste this asset selection into another shot.
You can see a +1 or +10 when you pass over the asset. It's the number of times you add this asset, and you can click on it as many times as you need.
You can also link all your assets to episodes on a TV show without specifying a sequence or shot.
This way, you can link all your assets to one or several episodes before the storyboard/animatic stage.
You can now see the asset in the middle of the screen (2). Next to the asset's name is the number of times it has been added. In this example, we have added the character asset Llama two times.
If you add an asset twice by mistake, you must go to the screen's middle part to select assets for this shot (2). From there, click on -1. When you finish this shot, go on with the other shots. Your selection is automatically saved.
If a new asset is created during the storyboard, return to the asset page (using the dropdown menu) and create the needed assets. The tasks previously created are applied immediately to these new assets. However, you have to do the assignment, and then you can continue with the breakdown.
Now, your Breakdown page should look like this.
You can also make a breakdown list for your assets if you need to assemble them and keep track of the separate parts.
On the top left corner of the screen, choose asset in the dropdown menu below FOR.
You can now access a second dropdown menu to choose your asset type: Character, Environment, Props, FX, ...
You can complete the asset breakdown page the same way you did the shots. First, select one or more assets on the left part and then add the right part's elements.
Create a Breakdown List from a CSV File
You may already have your breakdown list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import it: the first is to import a .csv file directly, and the second is to copy-paste your data directly into Kitsu.
First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file following Kitsu's recommendation.
Click on the import button 
A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.
To see the result, click on the Preview button.
You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.
NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.
Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.
Now, you have your breakdown imported into Kitsu.
Create a Breakdown List by Copying / Pasting a Spreadsheet File
Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.
Then, go back to the breakdown page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon .
A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.
You can paste your previously selected data and see the result with the Preview button. You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data. NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.
Once everything is good, click on the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.
Now, all your assets have been imported into Kitsu.
9. Casting from the Asset Library
Casting from the Asset Library
It is also possible to cast assets from the global Asset Library into your production. This allows you to cast an already existing asset, without the need to re-create it for each production.
To see assets outside of your production from the asset library, click the Display Library Button (1)
Assets from the global asset library will appear, and will be highlighted with a yellow boarder (2). They can then be cast in your breakdown exactly the same as other assets.
Back on your productions asset page, you can choose to display global assets that have been cast in your production by toggling the Display Library button (1). These assets will be highlighted in yellow, indicating that they originate from the global asset library, and not your current production. (2).
To learn more about the Asset Library, visit the dedicated section.
10. Introduction to Asset State: Ready For
Breakdown & Casting
Filling out the breakdown helps you with the assembly of the shots. With the breakdown, you have all the details of the assets you need to add to create your shot, and we are sure to omit nothing.
On the dropdown menu, choose BREAKDOWN.
Create a Breakdown List
On the left of the breakdown page is the episode/sequence/shot menu (1); you can choose between those you created. They are the right part of the screen; all the assets created are available for this production (main pack and episodes) (3). Moreover, in the middle section, it is your selection for the shot (2).
So now you have to select the shot you want to cast.
You can display the assets as text if you don't have thumbnails yet or enlarge the thumbnails size.
You may also realize an asset needs to be added to the list during your breakdown.
You can create a new asset directly from the breakdown page. Click the + on the right of the All available assets.
You can also choose multiple shots at once. Click on the first shot, hold the shift key, and click on the last shot of your selection.
Then click on the assets you want to assign: characters, backgrounds, ... from the right part (3). If you have selected multiple shots, your selection is applied to the numerous shots.
Copy a shot filled with assets and paste this asset selection into another shot.
You can see a +1 or +10 when you pass over the asset. It's the number of times you add this asset, and you can click on it as many times as you need.
You can also link all your assets to episodes on a TV show without specifying a sequence or shot.
This way, you can link all your assets to one or several episodes before the storyboard/animatic stage.
You can now see the asset in the middle of the screen (2). Next to the asset's name is the number of times it has been added. In this example, we have added the character asset Llama two times.
If you add an asset twice by mistake, you must go to the screen's middle part to select assets for this shot (2). From there, click on -1. When you finish this shot, go on with the other shots. Your selection is automatically saved.
If a new asset is created during the storyboard, return to the asset page (using the dropdown menu) and create the needed assets. The tasks previously created are applied immediately to these new assets. However, you have to do the assignment, and then you can continue with the breakdown.
Now, your Breakdown page should look like this.
You can also make a breakdown list for your assets if you need to assemble them and keep track of the separate parts.
On the top left corner of the screen, choose asset in the dropdown menu below FOR.
You can now access a second dropdown menu to choose your asset type: Character, Environment, Props, FX, ...
You can complete the asset breakdown page the same way you did the shots. First, select one or more assets on the left part and then add the right part's elements.
Create a Breakdown List from a CSV File
You may already have your breakdown list ready in a spreadsheet file. With Kitsu, you have two ways to import it: the first is to import a .csv file directly, and the second is to copy-paste your data directly into Kitsu.
First, save your spreadsheet as a .csv file following Kitsu's recommendation.
Click on the import button
A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens. Click on Browse to pick your .csv file.
To see the result, click on the Preview button.
You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data.
NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.
Once everything is good, click the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.
Now, you have your breakdown imported into Kitsu.
Create a Breakdown List by Copying / Pasting a Spreadsheet File
Open your spreadsheet, select your data, and copy them.
Then, go back to the breakdown page on Kitsu and click on the Import icon .
A pop-up window Import data from a CSV opens; click on the Paste a CSV data tab.
You can paste your previously selected data and see the result with the Preview button. You can check and adjust the name of the columns by previewing your data. NB: the Episode column is only mandatory for a TV Show production.
Once everything is good, click on the Confirm button to import your data into Kitsu.
Now, all your assets have been imported into Kitsu.
Casting from the Asset Library
It is also possible to cast assets from the global Asset Library into your production. This allows you to cast an already existing asset, without the need to re-create it for each production.
To see assets outside of your production from the asset library, click the Display Library Button (1)
Assets from the global asset library will appear, and will be highlighted with a yellow boarder (2). They can then be cast in your breakdown exactly the same as other assets.
Back on your productions asset page, you can choose to display global assets that have been cast in your production by toggling the Display Library button (1). These assets will be highlighted in yellow, indicating that they originate from the global asset library, and not your current production. (2).
To learn more about the Asset Library, visit the dedicated section.