Introduction
In the movie industry, there are a lot of different roles that go into making a film. Directors are obviously one of the most important people in this process—they’re the ones who make sure that everything comes together in a way that tells an interesting story and looks good on screen. But I’d argue that storyboard artists are almost equally as important. They’re responsible for visualizing what happens in each scene and bringing them to life before they get shot so directors can see exactly how it will look when they finally shoot it. Concept boards are responsible for the visualizations of the entire film.
Storyboard artists also serve another crucial function: showing how each shot will cut together with others when edited together later down the line. If two shots don’t match up perfectly (whether because a character moved slightly or something else), then it will throw off their flow and require reshoots or other time-consuming fixes during production.”
Storyboard artists get a bad rap
As a storyboard artist, you’re often seen as inferior to the director. While this may be true in some cases, it doesn’t have to be. In fact, your skill set is just as important—if not more so—than that of your director counterpart.
Let me explain why: A good storyboard artist can take an idea from concept and turn it into something incredible with their penmanship. They can lay out a scene and make sure all the characters are drawn correctly from angle to angle so that everything comes together seamlessly in the final product.
They’re incredibly talented
Storyboard artists are incredibly talented visual storytellers.
They’re the ones who can take a movie from the script stage and imagine it as a full visual experience. They use an array of skills to create something that will communicate what the director wants to get across, whether it’s serious or funny, dramatic or artistic. Storyboard artists are creative people with more than just drawing talent; they have an understanding of storytelling and structure that allows them to visualize a movie before it’s shot.
Many directors were storyboard artists
Many directors started as storyboard artists, and a few still are. Some examples are:
- James Cameron – he was an animator on “Heavy Metal” before becoming a director. He has since gone on to direct blockbusters such as “Avatar” and “Titanic”.
- Spike Lee – While not a traditional animation artist, Lee’s first film (She’s Gotta Have It) was made with hand-drawn storyboards. He also co-wrote and produced the animated series The Boondocks for Adult Swim.
Most storyboard artists are self-taught
Most storyboard artists are self-taught. This is because the field of storyboarding is relatively young, and most artists who work in it have come from other fields. Some are animators, others work in comics or illustration. They often learn from observing other artists’ work online or by reading books and articles on the subject. So if you think it’s something you can do yourself, there’s every reason to be optimistic!
Their work helps you visualize the movie before it’s shot
When you think about the people who are responsible for making sure that a movie looks good, you probably think of the director and cinematographer. But in many cases, storyboard artists also play a crucial role in bringing your vision to life.
They’re the first to see your film before it’s shot. They are the first ones to talk about how they want it shot and what they want each shot to look like. They’re also often involved in discussions about lighting and camera angles, even if those things aren’t clearly visible through storyboards alone.
Storyboard artists can be incredible illustrators
As a storyboard artist, the most important thing you can do is keep in mind how you need to communicate your vision. It’s easy to get lost in the weeds when it comes to creating intricate drawings that are technically perfect and beautiful, but they don’t serve the story or help communicate it effectively.
Your job as a storyboard artist is not only to illustrate what happens on screen (or paper), but also how it should feel as well. This means that you have to be able to tell stories with pictures and words alone: no dialogue or sound effects can be used in your work until after it has been approved by your director. In order for this approach to work, there needs to be a clear understanding between all parties involved about what makes up good storytelling in animation; this includes things like pacing, rhythm—even color choices!
There aren’t a lot of them, which makes them hard to find.
There aren’t a lot of storyboard artists. In fact, there aren’t even that many directors who can do storyboarding as well. This makes them hard to find and often puts them in high demand. There are lots of people who can do other types of work, but not everyone can do it all.
If you’re looking for someone with both skills, your best bet is to search for someone who has worked on the kind of movie or TV show you want to make before—preferably one with a similar budget size and scope as yours.
Storyboard artists are essential for top-tier directors and their work is worth studying.
Storyboard artists are essential for top-tier directors and their work is worth studying.
The best storyboard artists create a visual guide to help the director and crew understand what each shot should be before they even get on set. A well-drawn storyboard allows for a more cohesive vision in the final product, which ultimately makes it more memorable.
Conclusion
Storyboard artists are an integral part of filmmaking. They know how to visualize a director’s vision, which can be the difference between a hit and a flop. With so many movies being made every year, it’s hard to find people who really understand how important their work is. For aspiring directors and storytellers, learning from these individuals will help them develop their own visual style and hone their craft.