Start with a clear intention

The first sketch is a way to ask questions. What should the viewer notice? What is the central shape? Where does the scene begin and end? A rough drawing can make those decisions visible without committing to a finished treatment.

Build only what the idea needs

We move into a scene once the composition has a purpose. The broad forms come first; surface detail follows. Testing a camera angle early helps us judge the relationships between objects before refining them.

The final frame should still carry the energy of the first thought. We return to the sketch throughout the process to check that the polish is supporting the idea rather than distracting from it.