Storyboarding and Planning

What is a Storyboard?

A storyboard is a sequence of drawings that illustrates the projected visual direction of a film, animation, game or interactive media sequence.
Typically, it contains both images and text, akin to a comic strip, providing a linear flow of the narrative.

Purpose of Storyboarding

Storyboards provide a clear overview of the entire narrative allowing all members of a project to understand the sequence of events.
They can help to organise and control the pace of the narrative.
Storyboards are used to communicate the intended visual aspects for scenes, including camera shot types, movements, angles, and other necessary actions.
They can help in identifying any problems or gaps in the narrative or scenes early on in the project.

Components of a Storyboard

Panels represent individual shots. They may include a sketch of the action in the scene.
Arrows are used to indicate motion of characters or objects in the shot.
Annotations provide a description of what is happening in the shot, such as camera moves, special effects, and important character action.
Dialogue associated with the particular shot is also typically included.

Developing a Storyboard

Start with creating the basic outline, with key plot points and sequences using rough sketches.
Pick key moments from the script and create individual panels for them.
Indicate motion and other important details by using arrows, annotations and text descriptions.
Don’t forget to include any important sounds and specify when they happen relative to the action.

Storyboarding Software

There are different types of software and tools to create storyboards digitally. Some popular examples include Photoshop, Illustrator, Storyboard That and Toon Boom Storyboard Pro.
The choice of software can depend on budget, ease of use, and specific features or tools required.

The Relationship with Animation

Storyboards act as a blueprint for the animators, providing step by step visual representations of what should be animated.
They are a valuable communication tool between the storyboard artist, the director, the client, and the animator. Everyone can see what is expected in the final product.
It also allows for animators to be consistent with their work, keeping every scene correctly aligned and paced according to the storyboard.

Remember, while storyboarding may seem initially time-consuming, it is an intrinsic part of planning that can save a lot of time and effort in the long run.