[thrandrall]

Well, there are other ways you could imply transformation for relatively limited means - using the classic route - albeit with newer techniques. You could do time lapse - something like skin painting and then using CGI to add texture to it.

One concept I had for commissioning a poodle-girl tf (that never panned out) - was getting something like faux fur leg warmers (cheap), water-filled leg/wrist weights (cheap) - and then slowly filling/expanding them with a small hose (you might even look at something like using a static charge to make the hair stand up (looking like it's growing out). With certain close-ups and camera effects, probably very doable with a limited crew, etc.

By doing a closer-in view showing a sleeve pulling back, you could imply that the fur was growing out of the sleeve (I think TMC does some of these, but as their focus is more on the expansion, they don't put that much effort into it).

Something I'd really like would even be time-lapse claw growth by the application of various fake nails, etc (yes it takes time, but the overall effects would be dirt cheap and with the digital camera tech now I imagine it would be vastly less effort than 20+ years ago).

The choice of animal and TF, etc would be key from the get go (we all have our preferences, but for a first project, it might be good to use something with comparatively light CGI requirements (fur, etc)). A cow could be a good starter (or something else with smoother skin). Cow would also let you mess with horns, tail, ears, hooves, etc.

Similarly - do you want to tf the entire way (not generally my preference....I prefer the mostly female face and some female characteristics - maybe for reference/relational reasons...maybe something else) - or you get to a certain stage and then imply the more complicated tf (potentially less interesting?) the rest of the way.

I think the biggest thing would be to have a decent, focused crew who doesn't mind putting the hours in. Obviously post-production/digital work could be done anywhere but you'd need at least a handful of folks locally to work on things. But I'd recommend potentially following Peter Jackson's route with "Bad Taste", etc - work on your schedule on the weekends - even if it takes a few months or longer - to get it right and learn along the way. Don't drop everything and try doing it full time.

If you're really serious the biggest thing would be to get a script set in stone from the beginning. Decide exactly what you want to do and what you want to show - that would let you plan every shot out second by second (if necessary) - do certain parts first - send them to your tech/cgi guys early and they have all the time in the world to start messing around with stuff - then take your time with the stuff you want to do practically.