I agree with the above. After you have your concept and ideas you need to make astoryboard. I is THE reference thing you will always go back to. If you are sure your storyboard is fine and you are happy with it make an animatic of it to see how shots work together. You can just make it really simple using images of the internet or drawings of your own.
The second thing is I would never "make" the film in maya. I'd render shots or characters and composite it in something like aftereffects, inferno etc.
I am not an expert, but I would model my characters, put textures on, rig them, put them in the environment I want, put lights if needed, make test renders until I'm happy and then animate. I never used cloth so I don't know when that comes in. I suppose before or after you rig. I might be completely wrong so get a second opinion before you adapt the workflow I described.

good luck.