In the face of a project scope shift, adaptability and effective communication are key. I would assess the new requirements with the team, prioritize tasks, and adjust timelines or resources as needed to ensure we stay on track. Collaborating closely with stakeholders to manage expectations and maintaining flexibility in our approach will help us deliver the best quality work within the revised deadline. Prioritizing efficiency without compromising on quality is essential in navigating scope changes effectively.

If a New deadline must be met. First of all we have to Talk to the client and let them know what this is going to mean. There are two options... Costs are going Up as I Will work even more time on It per day or quality is going to take a hit. You should always check what is really important and what are minor details so at least the hit is not felt by the normal spectator. Just check what is the Focus and go all in on It. If a minor detail is going to be missed. Be clear. Transparency is important. We are humans and not machines, so balancing the mental strain IS always important. You could work more unpaid time to get It done, But do you really deserve It?

You have many options to overcome deadlines. Some will cost you more time and strain your budget, i.e., overtime. Other options maybe digging into your experience to simplify the production process.

There is time and there is budget to consider. What first needs to be assessed is if there is an additional budget to accommodate the shift in scope. If so, we use the additional budget to add resources to make up for the time that might be needed to deliver on time. If there is no time or budget, we improvise and simplify. That may be the only course of action left to take. It may not be perfect piece of art we originally envisioned but we'll make sure it delivers on all of the functional criteria.

If the company that hires you is serious, there should be no change in the deadline. If, for other reasons, I am given a shorter deadline, I can always adapt...but I will meet the minimum quality standards agreed at the beginning. More time and money equals more quality and “care” in the animation...therefore, less time + less money equals less quality + the feeling of getting a weight off your shoulders when the project is finished.