Storyboarding Best Practices: Techniques for Effective Planning and Visualizing Storylines in Film and Animation

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 19 June 2023 9 min read

In this blog, we'll explore storyboarding best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation, a vital process for filmmakers and animators alike. With these techniques and tips, you'll be better equipped to create engaging and visually appealing storyboards that effectively communicate your ideas and vision.

Understanding Storyboarding

Before diving into the best practices, it's important to understand the concept of storyboarding and its various aspects. In this section, we'll discuss the history, importance, and different types of storyboards in the realm of film and animation.

History of Storyboarding

Storyboarding has a rich history that dates back to the early days of filmmaking. Some trace its origins to the 1920s when filmmakers like Sergei Eisenstein and D.W. Griffith started using sketches to plan their scenes. However, it was Disney that popularized storyboarding in the 1930s during the production of animated classics such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Since then, storyboarding has become an integral part of the pre-production process in both live-action films and animation.

Importance of Storyboarding

Storyboarding plays a crucial role in the filmmaking and animation process. Here's why:

It helps you visualize your story, making it easier to identify potential issues and refine your ideas before production begins.
Storyboards allow for clear communication among team members, ensuring everyone is on the same page and understands the vision.
They save time and resources, as changes can be made in the storyboard stage rather than during production.
Storyboarding helps in planning the logistics of a shoot or animation, such as camera angles, set design, and character movement.

Different Types of Storyboards

There are several types of storyboards, each catering to specific needs within the film and animation industry. Some common ones include:

Thumbnail Storyboards - These are quick, rough sketches that help visualize the initial ideas and concepts. They're often used in the early stages of a project.
Animatic Storyboards - These are more refined and detailed, often including basic animations and timing information. Animatic storyboards are used to demonstrate the flow of a scene or sequence.
Production Storyboards - The most detailed and polished storyboards, production storyboards include camera angles, character expressions, and accurate backgrounds. They're used as a reference during the actual production process.

Now that we have a solid understanding of storyboarding, let's explore the tools, materials, and best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation.

Tools and Materials

Whether you prefer traditional or digital methods, the right tools and materials can make a significant difference in the quality and efficiency of your storyboard creation process. Let's take a look at some popular options for both traditional and digital storyboarding, as well as some recommended software for the job.

Traditional Storyboarding

For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, traditional storyboarding involves the use of physical tools and materials. Some of these include:

Pencils and Pens - Use a variety of pencil grades and pen types to create different line weights and textures in your drawings.
Markers and Colored Pencils - Add color to your storyboards to help convey mood, atmosphere, and lighting conditions.
Storyboard Templates - Pre-printed templates with panels and space for notes can help keep your drawings organized and consistent.
Whiteboards - For collaborative brainstorming sessions, a whiteboard can be a valuable tool for sketching out ideas and sharing them with your team.

Digital Storyboarding

Digital storyboarding offers a more streamlined process with the convenience of technology. Some advantages of digital storyboarding include:

Easy Editing - Make changes to your drawings quickly and efficiently without having to start from scratch.
Layering - Work with multiple layers to separate elements like characters, backgrounds, and camera movements for more control and organization.
File Sharing - Easily share your storyboards with team members for collaboration and feedback.
Integration with Animation Software - Import your storyboards directly into animation software to streamline the production process.

Recommended Software

There are numerous software options available for digital storyboarding. Here are a few popular choices:

Adobe Photoshop - A versatile program that offers a wide range of drawing and editing tools, along with layer and file sharing capabilities.
Storyboarder - A free, open-source software specifically designed for creating storyboards. It includes features like pre-built templates, drawing tools, and animatic playback.
Toon Boom Storyboard Pro - A professional-grade software for storyboarding and animatics, offering advanced features like camera movements, 3D integration, and seamless compatibility with Toon Boom's animation software.

With the right tools and materials in hand, you're ready to start creating your storyboards. In the next section, we'll cover the storyboard creation process and best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation.

Storyboard Creation Process

Creating a storyboard is a step-by-step process that helps you visualize and plan your storylines effectively. In this section, we'll explore the three main stages of the storyboard creation process: preparation, sketching, and finalizing.

Preparation

Before you start drawing, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the story you want to tell. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Read the Script - Familiarize yourself with the story, characters, and key moments. Take notes and highlight important scenes that require special attention during storyboarding.
Research - Gather reference materials, such as images, videos, or sketches, that can help you visualize the characters, settings, and props for your story.
Break Down the Script - Divide the script into smaller sections or beats, making it easier to plan out your storyboard panels and determine the pacing of your story.
Create a Shot List - List the different camera shots, angles, and movements you'll need to convey your story effectively. This will guide you during the sketching phase.

Sketching

Now that you have a solid foundation, it's time to start sketching your storyboard panels. Keep in mind the following tips while drawing:

Start with Thumbnails - Create small, rough sketches to quickly explore different compositions and camera angles. This allows you to experiment with various ideas before committing to the final drawings.
Focus on Key Moments - Prioritize the most important scenes and beats in your story. These should be the most detailed and expressive panels in your storyboard.
Keep It Simple - Use basic shapes and lines to represent characters, objects, and backgrounds. Remember, the goal is to convey the story visually, not to create polished illustrations.
Use Arrows and Annotations - Include arrows to indicate camera movements, and add notes to clarify actions, dialogue, or other important details.

Finalizing

Once you've sketched out your storyboard, it's time to finalize and refine your drawings. Consider the following steps:

Review and Revise - Look over your sketches and make any necessary changes to improve clarity, pacing, or visual storytelling.
Refine Drawings - If needed, clean up your sketches and add more detail to key panels. However, avoid over-rendering; the focus should remain on the story and its visualization.
Organize Your Panels - Arrange your storyboard panels in a logical sequence, either digitally or on a physical board, to ensure a smooth flow and clear narrative progression.
Add Timing and Dialogue - Indicate the duration of each shot and any dialogue or sound effects to help guide animators and editors during production.

With your storyboard complete, you're ready to move on to the next stage of production. But first, let's explore some effective storyboard techniques for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation.

Effective Storyboard Techniques

Now that you're familiar with the storyboard creation process, let's dive into some techniques that can help you create more impactful and engaging storyboards. Mastering these techniques will elevate your storyboarding skills and enhance your ability to plan and visualize storylines in film and animation.

Visual Hierarchy

Establishing a clear visual hierarchy in your storyboard panels helps guide the viewer's eye and ensures that important information is easily understood. To achieve this, consider the following:

Composition - Arrange elements in your panels to create a focal point and guide the viewer's eye through the scene.
Contrast - Use contrast in size, shape, color, or value to emphasize key elements and create visual interest.
Depth - Use perspective and overlapping elements to create a sense of depth and space in your panels.

Camera Angles and Movements

Utilizing different camera angles and movements can enhance your storytelling and create a more dynamic visual experience. Keep these tips in mind:

Choose the Right Angle - Select camera angles that best convey the mood, emotion, or action of a scene. For example, a low angle can make a character appear powerful, while a high angle can make them seem vulnerable.
Use Camera Movement - Incorporate camera movements, such as pans, tilts, or zooms, to reveal information or guide the viewer's eye through a scene.
Vary Shot Sizes - Combine wide, medium, and close-up shots to create variety and maintain visual interest throughout your storyboard.

Character Expression and Movement

Effective character expression and movement can bring your story to life and make it more relatable for your audience. Here are some tips to consider:

Show Emotion - Use facial expressions, body language, and posture to convey a character's emotions and mental state.
Exaggerate Movement - In animation, exaggerate movements to create a more dynamic and engaging visual experience. This is especially important in action scenes or when emphasizing a character's personality.
Use Silhouettes - Ensure that your characters' poses and actions are clear and readable even when viewed as silhouettes. This helps make your storyboard more visually effective and easy to understand.

With these techniques under your belt, you're well on your way to mastering storyboarding best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation. But your journey doesn't end here; collaborating with others and seeking feedback will help you continue to grow and refine your skills.

Collaboration and Feedback

Collaboration and feedback are essential in the world of storyboarding. They not only help you improve your work but also ensure that your storyboards align with the vision of directors, animators, and other team members. Here are some tips on how to effectively collaborate and seek feedback in the industry.

Working with Directors

Directors often have a clear vision for their projects, and it's essential for storyboard artists to understand and execute that vision. To work effectively with directors:

Ask Questions - Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or additional information about the story, characters, or scene.
Listen Actively - Pay close attention to the director's feedback and be open to making changes to your work.
Communicate Clearly - Present your ideas and suggestions in a clear and concise manner to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Working with Animators

Storyboard artists and animators often work closely together to bring a story to life. To collaborate effectively with animators:

Understand Animation Principles - Familiarize yourself with basic animation principles to create storyboards that are both visually engaging and technically feasible.
Share Ideas - Encourage an open dialogue between you and the animators, sharing ideas and suggestions for improving the story and visuals.
Be Flexible - Be prepared to make changes to your storyboards based on the animators' input and the limitations of the medium.

Seeking Peer Feedback

Peer feedback can provide valuable insights and help you grow as a storyboard artist. To make the most of peer feedback:

Be Open - Approach feedback with an open mind, and be willing to accept constructive criticism.
Ask Specific Questions - Instead of asking for general feedback, ask specific questions about your work that can lead to more targeted and actionable suggestions.
Learn from Others - Observe the work of your peers and learn from their techniques, successes, and failures.

By embracing collaboration and feedback, you'll continue to hone your storyboarding best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation. But remember, there's always more to learn! Be sure to explore additional resources and opportunities to further develop your skills.

Resources for Storyboard Artists

There are plenty of resources available to help you improve your storyboarding skills and stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and trends. Let's explore some of the best resources for storyboard artists, from books and guides to online courses and professional organizations.

Books and Guides

Books and guides can provide a wealth of knowledge on storyboarding best practices and techniques. Some highly recommended books for storyboard artists include:

Storyboarding Essentials: How to Translate Your Story to the Screen for Film, TV, and Other Media by David Harland Rousseau and Benjamin Reid Phillips
Directing the Story: Professional Storytelling and Storyboarding Techniques for Live Action and Animation by Francis Glebas
The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media by Bruce Block

Online Courses

Online courses offer a flexible and interactive way to learn storyboarding techniques from experienced professionals. Some popular online courses for storyboard artists are:

Storyboarding Fundamentals - Learn the basics of storyboarding for film and animation, including camera angles, shot composition, and character staging.
Advanced Storyboarding Techniques - Delve deeper into the art of storyboarding, exploring advanced techniques for visual storytelling and communication.
Storyboarding for Animation - Discover how to create dynamic and engaging storyboards specifically for animation projects, taking into account the unique challenges and opportunities of the medium.

Professional Organizations

Joining a professional organization can help you connect with other storyboard artists, stay informed about industry news and events, and access valuable resources. Some notable professional organizations for storyboard artists include:

The Animation Guild - A labor union representing animation professionals, including storyboard artists, offering networking opportunities, workshops, and industry news.
Women in Animation - An organization dedicated to advancing women in the field of animation, providing resources, mentorship programs, and networking events for its members.
International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) - A global network of animation professionals and enthusiasts, offering events, workshops, and resources to support the growth and development of the animation industry.

By utilizing these resources and continually developing your skills, you'll be well on your way to mastering storyboarding best practices for planning and visualizing storylines in film and animation. Keep learning, stay curious, and never stop pushing the boundaries of your creativity!

If you're looking to enhance your storytelling skills through visual design, don't miss the workshop 'How To Design Your First Visual Story' by Lily Stock. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and techniques to create engaging visual narratives that captivate your audience.