Thursday, April 2, 2009

StoryBoards

Pre-production of animation is a critical stage in developing story. It will allow you to organize shots, Plan the camera moves, and put your story in logical sequences.
Here are some nice examples of some storyboards.
http://www.brianlemay.com/storyboards/storyboard1.html
http://www.storyboards-east.com/sb_mm.htm
http://www.storyboards-east.com/sb_jeep.htm
http://www.storyboards-east.com/animat.htm
http://accad.osu.edu/womenandtech/Storyboard%20Resource/
http://www.thegremlin.com/balto.html
http://motiongraphicslab.com/website/pencil-storyboards.html

When you create storyboards make sure one shot is on one individual piece of paper, 8.5 x11 minimum that way it can be seen from a slight distance.
*Always ink your work with dark lines so that it can be seen from a distance
*Always mount the page on a rigid back so it does not curl and could be placed in the chalk tray and leaned against the white board.
*Always have something with you to jot notes or new ideas you get during the pitch session. Sticky notes work well for this!!

Be enthusiastic when you present your boards so that the audience can get into your story and become connected with your ideas. Allow folks to give you feedback as one idea may spur others and can help develop your story.
Each panel does not have to be a work of art but you do have to make your images clear so we can identify your main concepts.
Take time to think about what you want to say and the best way to say that.
Think about your camera moves, and illustrate those with arrows
It's OK to write notes on your boards to help sync up your work with dialogue, or sound or to help you remember details of the scene.
After viewing the storyboards anyone should understand your story and what you are communicating. If they can not you need to keep refining your boards so that the message is clear.