|
Help Centre
A storyboard is an illustrated version of a production script which the director uses as a visual draft of a film or television series.
The storyboard is an effective way to communicate exactly the type of shots a director wants in the project. A script can be interpreted in many different ways, but the storyboard removes any uncertainty, ensuring that everyone knows exactly what is required in terms of staging, timing etc.
In animation, the storyboard contains the following important information needed for the production:
- A basic idea of the layout
- The script
- The dialogue
- The duration of each scene
- The camera movement (if any)
- Character and prop actions
- Occasionally mood or colour
For more information on storyboarding, see the following:
What is a panel?
A panel is the smallest element of a storyboard. It shows one specific action or moment in a storyboard - one drawing is one panel. One or many panels make up a shot or scene. The following are examples of the main types of information you can find in a panel.
Actions
The most important element of a panel. The action is what is going on at the moment in the storyboard. The character poses should be clear and indicative of the action they are performing. Arrows can be used to help explain what is going with the action.
Arrows
Arrows are a clear way to indicate to the viewer when a movement is happening. They can be drawn in all sizes and directions to show perspective in a movement. Use them whenever you need to make your storyboard clearer.
Annotations
Panel annotations are used to indicate specific actions. Sometimes, they are put inside arrows, sometimes inside a circle. Characters entering or exiting a panel should be clearly indicated using an annotation.
Captions
Captions are extra information in the form of text that explain certain aspects in the panel (Dialog, Action, Slugging, etc). Action Notes are one kind of caption that is specifically helpful for explaining what action is taking place. Not every panel requires action notes, but there should be enough to make the action clear.
If there is dialogue, it should be included in the specified caption box. You can simply copy the dialogue from the script and paste it, or type the dialogue directly in the appropriate box.
Camera action and transitions are often also noted in the captions. Below are some examples:
| Term | Definition |
| Close Up (CU) | A close range of distance between the camera and the subject. |
| Dissolve | A transition between two shots, where one shot fades away and simultaneously another shot fades in. |
| Fade In/Out | A transition from black to a shot, where the image gradually becomes brighter is a fade in. A fade out is the opposite. The image gradually becomes darker until it is black. |
| Pan | A steady, sweeping movement from one point in a scene to another. |
| Zoom | Use of the camera lens to move closely towards the subject. |
For more information about camera shots, see What camera shots can be found in storyboards?
What is a shot or scene?
In live-action, the term ‘shot’ is used, while in animation terminology, the term ‘scene’ is mainly used. In animation, every scene contains at least one panel. All panels in a scene have the same background, but will have different character/prop actions per panel depending on what is happening in the story.
For a list of the types of shots and camera angles that are used in storyboards, see What camera shots can be found in storyboards?
Show, do not tell
Remember that animation is a visual medium. You shouldn't depend on the dialogue to explain what is going on in a scene or in the story. Your audience will understand quicker if you clearly show what is going on, instead of having a character explain what is taking place.
Here are some examples of visual cues you can use to explain elements in a story:
- Use the character's surroundings to explain what kind of person they are. A messy room will reveal their personality, paint and craft material will suggest an artistic character, whereas a room with a computer, posters and books lying around will suggest someone more geeky.
- Remember that an action can say a lot. Instead of having a character say, "I'm going to the grocery store", have them leave their location, then cut to an establishing shot of the grocery store.
- Use clever shots to show a character's emotional state. If you look up at a character, he will seem imposing. A character that is very small in a large empty field will seem lonely and isolated from the world.
- Showing the reason why a character is scared will have more impact than just stating the character's emotion. If the character is terrified of falling, you might want to show the edge of a precipice.