My Approach
With animations I write the story, I then script it and break it down into scenes. From there I either use any 3D assets like sets or objects I have bought or I build them. The characters are all from either Daz or Iclone, and customized to suit.
If a model is not for an animation I build it usually because it doesn't exist, what's available lacks the detail for what I want or it's to expensive to buy, and sometimes just for fun.
My aim is not for hyper realistic, but for convincing
My Story
I have been fasinated by Visual effects and animation for years. My first piece of software was poser 3 it was crude and basic but it offered a way to animate 3D characters to tell stories. Since then I have been "learning" various software packages on and off for years. It's a journey of trial and error, partly due to the finacial contraints of being an individual and partly due to software not working out for one reason or another.
During that period the development of desktop computors and software has come to the point that individuals can now produce good quality material. It's not hollywood but it works.
Next Steps...
Nothing here yet