Layout is the camera and staging end of the cinematography for a film.  Once the story reel is approved out of editorial the shots have to be realized in the 3D world.  Layout artists use cameras, sets, characters and props to create and choreograph all the shots in the film.  This can be tightly or loosely based on the shots in the story reel.  A strong knowledge of staging, composition and cinematography allow the layout artist to tell the story with clarity and appeal.  Layout works closely with editorial and the directors and may produce many alternate takes of each shot to give them maximum choice in how they are going to cut the film.  One of the keys to good layout is when no one in the audience is ever aware of the camera.

More recently this process has been done using what are called Animatics.   The animatic is the layout step but with a lot more focus on the poses and timing of the characters as well as the use of color, lighting and effects.  The animatic gives the directors a much clearer view of what the shots are going to look and feel like in the final movie and allows them to better communicate their ideas to the rest of the crew.  This also gives animation a clearer definition of the timing and staging of each scene so that they have "marks" that they can hit which allows them to focus more on the acting and emotions of their characters.



Books

The Five C's of Cinematography: Motion Picture Filming Techniques, Joseph V. Mascelli

Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Convemtions Every Filmmaker Must Know, Jennifer Van Sijll


DVD

Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography, DVD