Storyboarding is something that can be done in all types of visual mediums, whether it’s a movie, show, or commercial. They make it easy to visualize what you want to see on-screen, which can save you a lot of time with staging, editing, and shooting. And while storyboards aren’t mandatory when making a movie, they can be if that movie is animated. So what is an animation storyboard and what makes it so different from storyboards used for live-action works? We’ll dig into that, along with tips and tricks on how to storyboard an animation.
How to Make an Animation Storyboard in StudioBinder
Storyboard Definition Animation
Defining Animation Storyboard
On the surface, an animation storyboard seems very much like a regular storyboard that you can use for any type of movie, and sometimes that can be the case. However, there are key differences up and down the production process of creating and reviewing an animation storyboard.
STORYBOARD DEFINITION ANIMATION
What is an animation storyboard?
An animation storyboard is a way of illustrating, structuring, and organizing a scene in a work of animation. Based on the script and voice acting, these storyboards evolve from sketches to fully-formed pictures, culminating in a final set of images which make up a scene. The idea is to present the most accurate and probable version of a scene possible within these storyboards, as they will be looked over, approved, and then sent out to be animated.
Storyboard animation characteristics include:
- Illustrating entire scenes, moment to moment.
- Helping create the flow, look, and feel of the final product.
- A group effort from artists, directors, and revisionists.
And if you don’t want to get too animation specific, you can also take a look at our more general articles covering the definition of a storyboard and how to create a storyboard, along with a list of examples.
Storyboard Animation Process
The Importance of Storyboarding
Storyboarding has its uses in a live-action work--like plotting out an opening action scene--but it’s part of the job in animation. After a script is written and voice work is set, it’s up to the storyboard artists to take that narrative skeleton and flesh it out. You can get a quick idea of how vital storyboarding is to animation in the video below featuring an animation storyboard template.
Storyboard animation • How to storyboard an animation
Storyboard artists are setting the stage for how a final product is going to look, which includes camera angles, environments, characters, and movement. The images do not have to be ultra specific, but they should present some version of what will be seen by the audience when everything is animated.
Animation is a collaborative process, and the storyboarding process is no exception, as it takes a combination of artists, directors, and revisionists.
So a storyboard artist is not simply coming up with ideas for how an animated movie will look; they are, in essence, creating the actual look for the movie. Aside from directors and others looking over what’s been illustrated, it lies on the artists to help create this world, make it believable, eye-catching, and, well, animated.
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Animation Storyboard Examples
Animation Storyboard in 6 Steps
Now we’re going to dive into some tips and tricks that you can take with you when working on your own storyboard for animation. Here’s how to create a great board in 6 steps.
1. Decide your format
Before you start drawing, you’ll want to choose how you want to structure your board. Do you want just two panels a page so that you have space to create detailed drawings? Or do you want to do smaller, quick thumbnail sketches that can fit 12 to a page?
Thumbnails also let you play around with possible angles. So if you’re introducing a character, you can play around with how they can first appear, i.e. medium shot vs an extreme close up. Since what you’re drawing could be final, a thumbnail lets you see it in a basic form before committing to the real thing.
Aladdin Alternate Ending Animation Storyboard
2. Understand the story
This should be obvious. To create an effective storyboard, you need to have a thorough understanding of the story. Read through scenes multiple times before you begin to board them.
Animation storyboard template • Courtesy of Micha Buzan
Some considerations you should think about while reading: what shots will help bolster the narrative? What needs to be covered for clarity? What character is the focus of the scene?
3. Add your images
Your panels are prepared and you know your story. Time to start drawing. Remember, it’s all about clarity. Make sure each completed image is easily understandable to the artists it will be shown to.
Not the greatest drawer? Don’t fret. You can hire a storyboard artist, or borrow images from other films which you want to emulate.
4. Add annotations
Your images are likely not going to tell the whole story of the shot. This is where additional notations come in.
Write out a description of the action, the shot details, and add storyboard arrows to make any movement of camera or characters clear.
5. Share your work
Like we said, animation is a collaborative process (most of the time). So once you’re happy with your boards, you’ll want to share them with the other creatives on your team and get their thoughts. It’s easier to incorporate different ideas during the storyboard process rather than waiting and dealing with them later in production.
Often, sharing your board means exporting it as a PDF, and emailing around. With StudioBinder, you can add collaborators who can then add notes and make edits directly to the document.
6. Save and print
Your storyboard is complete. Make sure you’re able to put it to good use by printing it out. A hard copy is great to have when discussing shots with collaborators throughout the animation process.
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UP NEXT
The Ultimate Storyboard Creator
Now you know how to create a storyboard for a video. Ready to get started? Well look no further than StudioBinder’s storyboard creator. You can follow all the steps we’ve laid out to quickly create a series of panels that honor your project.
StudioBinder Storyboard Creator →
Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards.
Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.
