A Day in the Life of a Professional Storyboard Artist

Storyboarding is an essential part of the filmmaking, animation, and advertising processes. For a storyboard artist, this means being at the heart of visual storytelling, working with directors, producers, and other creatives to bring scripts to life. Storyboard artists are the visual architects who lay out every shot, camera angle, and moment before it happens on screen. A professional storyboard artist's day can be filled with a blend of creativity, collaboration, and technical precision. In this article, we take a peek into a day in the life of a professional storyboard artist.

Starting the Day: Preparing for Creative Work

The day begins early for a professional storyboard artist. After arriving at the office or settling into their home studio, the first order of business is typically reviewing the project and understanding the context of the day's work. If it’s an animation, film, or commercial, the artist will have received the latest script pages or a brief from the director outlining the scenes to be storyboarded.

It’s crucial to get into the right mindset during this initial stage. Storyboard artists often start with a quiet period of reflection to understand the mood, style, and vision that needs to be conveyed. This might involve reading through the script again, familiarizing oneself with character descriptions, and studying any reference material provided by the director, such as previous shots, mood boards, or art concepts.

If a creative meeting is scheduled with the director or team, it’s a chance for the artist to ask questions and get feedback. This ensures the artist is on the same page about the project's tone and style. In some cases, the storyboard artist may have already collaborated with the director in earlier stages to understand the project's specific visual language. Still, remaining flexible and open to new ideas is always important as the project progresses.

Sketching and Conceptualizing Shots

Once the project details have been understood, it’s time to get into the actual drawing and sketching. Storyboarding often begins with rough sketches and basic layouts, which can be done digitally or by hand, depending on the artist's preference and the project’s requirements.

The first step in creating a storyboard is determining the sequence of shots. This involves breaking down the script into individual scenes and identifying the key actions and moments that must be depicted. The artist then decides on the camera angles, such as close-ups, wide shots, or over-the-shoulder views, and the framing for each shot.

This process requires a blend of technical skill and creative intuition for a storyboard artist. Every shot must serve a purpose: to convey a character’s emotional state, create tension, or emphasize the scale of an environment. The artist must also consider how shots will flow together, ensuring smooth transitions that will later translate to the pacing of the final product.

At this stage, the artist focuses on capturing the essence of each shot, avoiding fine details to keep things quick and efficient. The goal is to communicate the key visual moments while allowing flexibility in the production phase. Many storyboard artists prefer to use simple stick figures or basic shapes to represent characters and objects, allowing them to focus on the broader composition and layout.

Collaborating with Directors and Team Members

Storyboarding is rarely a solitary endeavor. Throughout the day, storyboard artists collaborate closely with directors, producers, animators, and other creative team members. Communication is key, as the artist's vision must align with the director’s overall creative concept.

The artist presents their storyboard sketches to the director at various stages for feedback and revisions. Directors may want to adjust certain shots to change the pacing or tone or have specific ideas about framing or camera movement that need to be incorporated. The storyboard artist must be flexible and open to critique, aiming to achieve the best visual representation of the director’s vision.

Storyboard artists also work closely with animators or cinematographers, particularly if the project involves complex action sequences or specific visual effects. For example, in animated films, the storyboard artist often needs to sketch character movements or expressions to help the animators understand how to animate the scene. Similarly, if the storyboard is for a live-action film, the artist may work with the cinematographer to ensure that the planned camera movements and angles are feasible and practical.

Refining and Finalizing the Storyboard

As the day progresses, the storyboard artist continues to refine and finalize the boards. After receiving feedback, the artist revises their sketches, adding more detail where necessary and ensuring each frame aligns with the director’s vision. This might involve adjusting the composition, repositioning characters, or experimenting with different angles to convey the story more effectively.

During this phase, the storyboard artist pays close attention to timing. The frames in a storyboard are often numbered, and each shot corresponds to a specific amount of screen time. Storyboard artists may also include notes on sound, lighting, and other technical elements, helping to guide the post-production process.

For larger productions, the storyboard artist may work in stages, completing a few scenes each day and gradually piecing together the story. In the case of animated projects, multiple versions of the storyboard may be required, especially if the project is evolving rapidly or if new elements are being introduced. The artist’s role in refining the storyboards is crucial to ensure consistency and clarity throughout production.

A day in the life of a professional storyboard artist is a blend of creativity, collaboration, and technical expertise. From the initial stages of sketching rough drafts to refining and finalizing detailed storyboards, storyboard artists play a vital role in filmmaking and animation. Their work helps to translate scripts into visual narratives, providing a clear roadmap for the entire production team. By combining artistic skills with a deep understanding of cinematic techniques, storyboard artists can bring stories to life, shaping how audiences experience the visual world on screen. Whether working on a big-budget film or an indie animation, the role of the storyboard artist remains crucial in creating compelling, visually engaging stories.