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Animation Storyboard Template
Plan your animation
Storyboards help animators and directors get a good sense of the story and pacing before diving into the detailed animation. They sketch out scenes, character actions, and important moments. This not only makes the story clearer and easier to follow but also lets them tweak things early on, saving time and resources later.
To guide you through the process, we will utilize StudioBinder’s storyboard creator to demonstrate each phase. While our focus is on using StudioBinder, the process is applicable universally—whether you are using a software for your storyboard or simply sketching it with paper and pen.
Step 1
1. Decide your presentation format
Storyboards can be super simple with just a few small frames or more detailed with lots of large frames per page. It really depends on how complex your scenes are and who you're showing them to.
Picking the right storyboard template is key for making things clear and effective. Plus, the number of panels can effectively change the flow of your story—more panels can make it feel faster and more dynamic.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Easily toggle between different view options ranging from 1 to 4 columns to determine the best layout for your storyboard.
- Adjust the visibility of important shot specifications such as scene numbers, descriptions, audio, and video components.
Step 2
2. Read the scene
Start by really diving into the script to get a feel for the scene's goals and what the characters are all about. Despite being illustrated, animation still abides by the same cinematic language as other mediums such as shot sizes, camera angles, and camera movements.
Picture how the scene plays out, thinking about different shots like close-ups or wide angles. Try to focus on the emotional story of a scene and how different animation and illustration techniques can serve that story.
For an intense action sequence, use quick, exaggerated movements and sharp camera angles. In contrast, a quiet, emotional scene requires smooth, subtle close-ups and gentle transitions.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Import a script, and all the scenes will be automatically turned into blank storyboards. Then, you can preview the script scene to scene, so your story is conveniently within reach as you create your storyboard.
- Tag each line to create a new panel in the storyboard.
Step 3
3. Create or find images
Once you can envision the scene, it’s time to get creative with your images for your storyboard. You can sketch things out, bring in a storyboard artist, use still photos, or even grab reference images online. Just remember to line these up in order to keep the story flowing smoothly.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Upload images very quickly and from anywhere, including previous projects.
- Use your webcam to capture hand drawn frames.
- Reorder the images with a simple click-and-drag.
Step 4
4. Include descriptions and annotations
Breathe life into your storyboard by adding shot descriptions, notes, and movement arrows. These details clarify the cinematography and character actions within each shot. You can easily insert arrows, text, and shapes to create a clearer picture of your scenes.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Add scene descriptions, audio information like dialogue, and video information explaining the visual (e.g., MCU on John, Dutch angle, etc.).
- Quickly add arrows, text and shapes to further clarify the direction of each image.
Step 5
5. Share and collaborate
Good collaboration is incredibly important for a successful animation project. Illustratiors, animators, directors, producers, and editors all have to be on the same page. Storyboards can anchor your team's understanding of the project. Share your storyboard with your crew to get their feedback and align the team.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Share with a view-only link.
- Invite collaborators to work on this specific feature/page (not the entire project).
Step 6
6. Print
Once the storyboard is finalized, print it for easy reference during production. Team members can also print the storyboard to have as a guide which is especially helpful for remote collaborators.
How to do this in StudioBinder
- Use SB’s customizable PDF generator for a professional presentation with added security.
Conclusion
Storyboard Complete
Storyboards serve as an essential tool for exploring your best animation ideas by visualizing concepts and assessing their feasibility. By ironing out ideas early on, they prevent costly revisions during the detailed animation processes, ensuring a smoother production journey.
This animation storyboard template is one of many storyboard templates you can use. Browse other storyboarding templates on our Templates page.
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