I like to work in two phases; timing, then refining.

During phase 1, the goal is to set the timing. I'm setting keyframes to match the animatic and audio. This is also where we talk about transitions, fx, particles, and if we will involve 3D in our animation.

Once approved, I move on to phase 2, refining and finessing everything. I'll create any necessary rigs and spend most of my time adjusting the animation so everything smoothly transitions from one scene to the next. I communicate regularly and share renders or files to ensure we're on the same page during the project.