Storyboard sketches

Storyboards are sequential sketches used in film and animation to plan scenes, camera angles, and movement before filming.

About this subject

A storyboard is a pre-production tool that visualizes a script as a sequence of panels, each depicting a key scene or shot. It includes details like camera angle, framing, character movement, and dialogue. Originating in the 1930s Disney studios, animator Webb Smith pioneered the use of large boards with pinned drawings to plan cartoon sequences. The first feature film to extensively use storyboards was Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937), which set a new standard for animated storytelling.

Storyboard artists work closely with directors to translate narrative into visual frames. They use pencils, markers, or digital tools like Adobe Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, and Toon Boom Harmony. Each panel must convey action, emotion, and timing. Notable storyboard artists include Joe Johnston (who worked on 'Star Wars' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark') and Harold Michelson, known for his detailed historical films. Directors like Alfred Hitchcock famously storyboarded entire films in advance, such as the shower scene in 'Psycho' (1960), where every shot was pre-drawn.

Beyond film and animation, storyboards are vital in advertising, video games, TV series, and even UX design and architecture. They help catch continuity errors, explore visual alternatives, and align the crew before production, saving both money and time. Industry reports suggest that thorough storyboarding can cut shooting schedules by up to 30 percent. Storyboards also serve as a contractual blueprint for complex visual effects sequences, ensuring all departments are synchronized.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a storyboard and an animatic?

A storyboard is a series of static drawings. An animatic is a filmed version of the storyboard, with cuts, camera movements, and temporary audio, used to test the pacing of the narrative before final animation or filming.

Who invented the storyboard?

There is no single inventor, but the modern method was developed at Disney studios in the 1930s, mainly by animator Webb Smith. He began drawing scenes on separate sheets and pinning them on a board, making it easier to visualize the sequence.

Are storyboards only used in films?

No. Beyond cinema, storyboards are used in animation, advertising, video games, TV series, UX design, and even architecture. Any project that requires visual planning of a sequence of events can benefit from storyboarding.