When people hear the word storytelling, they usually picture writers, artists, or directors—the folks inventing characters, crafting dialogue, or designing the worlds we fall in love with on screen.
But after years working in animation, I’ve come to believe something that might surprise people: production itself is another kind of storytelling.
It’s not about writing scripts or painting backgrounds. It’s about guiding a complex, creative journey—and making sure the story behind the story makes it all the way to the screen.
Production teams build the invisible narrative that shapes a project’s fate. There’s always an inciting incident—the moment a show is greenlit. Then comes the rising action: schedules, budgets, and endless meetings to align hundreds of creative ideas into a single, cohesive vision. Tension peaks when deadlines loom, resources are scarce, or unexpected plot twists emerge—like software glitches, scenes that take longer than planned, or a client shifting the creative brief halfway through production.
Producers are like narrators. We:
- track the plot threads (every department’s needs and interdependencies)
- watch for pacing issues (delays, bottlenecks, burnout)
- help characters (artists, directors, clients) navigate conflict and resolution
And just like any good storyteller, we’re always asking ourselves: How do we keep the audience engaged—and get to the ending we’ve envisioned?
Except in production, our “audience” isn’t just the viewers at home. It’s also the team making the show.
The Tools That Tell the Story
In my own work, I’ve realized that production tools—whether they’re spreadsheets, tracking software, or whiteboards covered in sticky notes—are really just different ways of telling the story of a project. They help us see:
- where we’re heading
- what obstacles lie ahead
- who might need help to stay in the narrative flow
Two of my favorite tools are fTrack and Google Sheets, which help create a living map of the production timeline. I can zoom out to see the entire show as a “season arc,” or zoom in to track the progress of a single episode or even an individual shot. I’ve seen artists visibly relax when they realize the timeline isn’t an unknowable black box—it’s a story we can tell together and adjust when reality changes.
But here’s the thing: timelines only help if you share them.
I’ve been on productions where the producer keeps the overall schedule close to the chest, and everyone else is left guessing. It’s incredibly alienating. People feel out of the loop, anxious, and disconnected from the bigger purpose.
To me, one of the most powerful forms of storytelling in production is simply making the plan visible. When the whole team can see how the work connects—how we’re moving toward the final act—it builds trust, engagement, and even creative problem-solving.
A timeline isn’t just a list of deadlines. It’s a shared narrative that helps the team stay in sync, especially when the story takes unexpected turns.
Measuring a Production Narrative
So how do you know if the “production narrative” is working?
For me, it’s partly about the tangible outcomes: Are we hitting milestones? Is the show staying on budget? Are the episodes delivering the intended creative vision?
But it’s also about the emotional rhythm of the team. Are people feeling heard? Is there enough psychological safety for artists to share ideas or concerns? Are we solving problems together instead of letting them fester?
One of my personal indicators of a healthy production narrative is this: people keep talking to each other even when things get hard. Silence and avoidance are often signs that the story has gone off the rails somewhere.
Creative Solutions to Production Plot Twists
Like any good story, a production is full of plot twists.
On one show, we had a story that went through three approved drafts and two approved storyboards. It was just heading into animation when we hit a plot twist: the network raised concerns about a potential DEI issue and felt it would be better to adjust one of the main characters to avoid causing unintended harm.
It meant taking the episode back to writing and reworking the boards before animation could start. There was a lot of extra work and more rounds of discussion to make sure we got everything right. Ultimately, we decided to move this episode later in the schedule to give the team enough time.
In the moment, it felt like a big hiccup—we were so close to moving forward (and keeping on schedule!), but we knew it was the right call to keep the story thoughtful and inclusive. We quickly came up with a new plan: we pushed another episode forward to fill the gap. It was a bit of an ask, but thankfully, we found another episode that worked for everyone and plugged it in instead.
In the end, everything worked out fine. It was a reminder that even with the best planning, production sometimes throws you curveballs—and the real storytelling is how you help the team navigate those twists without losing momentum or morale.
Putting It Into Practice
People often ask me about the nuts and bolts of keeping a production running smoothly. Here are a few ways I try to keep the production story flowing—and the team connected:
What specific strategies can producers use to ensure effective communication within their teams during production?
- Share the plan early and often—even if it changes. Transparency builds trust.
- Ask questions instead of just giving directions. It surfaces hidden issues.
- Use visuals. Schedules, boards, and flowcharts help everyone see the same story.
- Check in one-on-one. Not everyone shares concerns in big meetings.
How can production teams measure the psychological safety of their environment?
- Notice who speaks in meetings—and who stays quiet.
- Watch whether people raise problems proactively or avoid discussing them.
- Pay attention to laughter. Humor is often a sign of comfort and trust.
- Ask directly: “Is there anything you’re worried about that we haven’t talked about yet?”
What are some examples of successful adaptations to unexpected challenges in animation production?
- Swapping episodes in the schedule, like in our DEI example.
- Adopting new tools mid-project when software breaks. (Hello, ShotGrid!)
- Rewriting scenes creatively to fit budget or design constraints.
For me, the biggest lesson is this: the way we handle surprises is part of the story we’re telling—not just on screen, but with each other.
A Story Told Through Calendars and Care
I’ve spent most of my career focused on the creative heart of animation. But I’m realizing more than ever how production is its own art form. It’s storytelling told through calendars, conversations, and care.
Over the next month, I’m hoping to explore how creative tools, new technology, and evolving industry trends fit into this larger narrative. I’m endlessly curious—and I’d love to hear from others who see production as part of the creative journey.
How do you see storytelling show up in your work, even in unexpected places?
Christy Heyob | Building Worlds, Stories & Creative Teams 
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