What is "sweat box"

Sweat \Sweat\, n. [Cf. OE. swot, AS. sw[=a]t. See Sweat, v. i.]

1. (Physiol.) The fluid which is excreted from the skin of an animal; the fluid secreted by the sudoriferous glands; a transparent, colorless, acid liquid with a peculiar odor, containing some fatty acids and mineral matter; perspiration. See Perspiration.

   In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.
   --Gen. iii. 19.

2. The act of sweating; or the state of one who sweats; hence, labor; toil; drudgery.
   --Shak.

3. Moisture issuing from any substance; as, the sweat of hay or grain in a mow or stack.
   --Mortimer.

4. The sweating sickness. [Obs.]
   --Holinshed.

5. (Man.) A short run by a race horse in exercise.

   Sweat box (Naut.), a small closet in which refractory men are confined.

   Sweat glands (Anat.), sudoriferous glands. See under Sudoriferous.

   sweat suit A suit comprising a top and trousers, having full arms and legs, used while performing physical exercises, esp. out-of-doors.

   Sweat equity The rights to a portion of ownership or profit, hypothetically owned by a worker who participated in producing a product, such as in improving a piece of real estate.

"Sweat box" is the animation industry's equivalent to rushes, or dailies. Nowadays, when an animated scene has been approved by the animation lead, it is sent to the edit suite. The editor inserts the scene into the relevant animatic or Leica reel for viewing in context with other scenes. The director views the reel and calls for changes or approves the scenes.

As it is important for the entire crew to be up to date on changes or approvals made by the director (since significant changes may have cascading effects throughout the rest of the film or show), a sweat box session will typically be attended by producers, production staff and department heads. Quite often the animator responsible for a scene may be called into the meeting to take specific instructions ("notes" in industry jargon) from the director on the changes to be made.