Storyboard sketches

Storyboards are sequential schematic drawings that pre-visualize scenes for films, animations, and commercials, essential for production planning.

About this subject

Storyboarding originated at Disney Studios in the 1930s when animator Webb Smith began drawing scenes on separate sheets and pinning them to a board to visualize the sequence. This method was quickly adopted by other studios and became a standard in the film industry. Today, storyboards are used in live-action films, animation, series, video games, and even commercials to save time and resources during production.

Each drawing in a storyboard represents a shot or a change in action, including indications of framing, camera movement, dialogue, and sound effects. Specialized artists, called storyboard artists, translate the script into sequential images, often working closely with directors and cinematographers. Iconic examples include Alfred Hitchcock's storyboards for 'Psycho' (1960), which detailed every angle of the shower scene, and Hayao Miyazaki's, which are true works of art.

Beyond cinema, storyboards are crucial in video game development and 3D animation pre-production. With digital advances, tools like Storyboard Pro and Toon Boom allow for creating animated panels and sharing versions online. Even with technology, the basic principle remains: tell a story visually before any resources are invested.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a storyboard and an animatic?

A storyboard is a sequence of static images, while an animatic is an edited version of the storyboard with temporary sound and basic camera movement, simulating the scene's pacing.

Which software is used to create digital storyboards?

Popular tools include Storyboard Pro, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Photoshop, and even PowerPoint. Many professionals use graphics tablets for greater precision.

Are storyboards only used in films?

No, they are also widely used in advertising, video games, architecture (to explain projects), and even virtual reality experiences.