Storyboards

The Animation Storyboard

• The animation storyboard is the first sight of

what a cartoon or piece of animation is going to
look like. The animation storyboard looks like a
series of strip comics, with individual drawings of
storylines, scenes, characters and their
emotions and other major parts of the movie.
The drawings will reflect the early ideas of what
characters will look like, what the backgrounds
and scenery will be some idea of dialogue,
emotions ,and a general feel of the animation
process.
• Storyboards are very important, as they
form the basis of the work that is carried
out on the movie, describing most of the
major features as well as the plot and its
development.
• Animation storyboards are also the
coordinating vehicle of the film, taking the
place of the script, and allowing different
teams of people to work on different
aspects and scenes in the movie. A studio
like Pixar will have thousands of
storyboard frames like the one shown
here.
• The finished movie may not always
conform to all aspects of the storyboard,
but they will document many of the early
developments in the movie. They are often
the first step of the animation process, as
they show the first views - albeit static - of
the animation process.
A
Camera position: Close/medium shot - fades to side view
of Harry (with boys in the background). What is happening :
Harry is walking towards Maguire looking scared.
What is being said: The on-looking boys are chanting.
B
Camera position: Close/medium shot of Mucker (with boys in
the background).
What is happening : He's clenching his fists looking angry.
What is being said: Chanting as above.
C
Camera position: Medium shot of Mucker, Harry and a group
of boys.
What is happening : Harry is offering to shake hands and
make friends with Mucker.
What is being said: Harry says "I have to warn you for your
own safety, that you shouldn't start a fight with me."
D
Camera position: Close/medium shot of Mucker
(with boys in the background).
What is happening : He's looking even more angry.
What is being said: Mucker says "I'm not afraid of
you, come on!"
E
Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harrry (with boys in the
background).
What is happening : Harry has turned to look at Mucker. Boys
are staring at him in shock.
What is being said: Harry says "I'm giving you your last warning,
Maguire, shake hands and go home."
F
Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harry (with boys in
the background).
What is happening : Harry looks up, the boys around him do
the same and their faces show shock and fear.
Sound/Special effects: A rumbling noise can be heard in the
background, it gets louder. Stirring music begins. The colour
fades to black and white.
G
Camera position: Medium/close shot showing Flash Gordon-
type space ship.
What is happening : The space ship is slowly coming into
shot.

Sound/Special effects: Rumbling getting louder. The space

ship appears to move across the sky. Stirring music
continues. Black and white colouring.
H
Camera position: Medium/close shot showing Harry and space
ship with boys watching.
What is happening : Harry has changed in to Mercury Man and
is standing proud whilst the spaceship moves above him.

Sound/Special effects: Rumbling and buzzing noises of the

spaceship. Stirring music continues. Black and white colouring.
I
Camera position: Close/medium shot of Harry.
What is happening : Harry has turned to look at Mucker. Boys
are staring at him in shock.
What is being said: Harry/Mercury Man says "I tried to warn you.
No-one ever messes with Mercury Man."

Sound/Special effects: Rumbling/buzzing noises, music as

before. Black and white colouring.
J
Camera position: Close up of ship.
What is happening : A laser beam comes out of the ship and 'zaps'
Mucker.
Sound/Special effects: Rumbling/buzzing noises as before with
added crackling and a loud "zap" when the laser beam shoots out.
Black and white colouring.
K
Camera position: Close up on Harry/Mercury Man smiling.
What is happening : Harry/Mercury Man is looking at the after
effects of the Zap.
Sound/Special effects: Stirring music as before.
L
Camera position: High angle close up shot.
What is happening : Mucker has been 'zapped' - and all that
remains are Maguire's smouldering shoes.

Sound/Special effects: Smoke coming out of shoes. Music

becomes more triumphant. Black and white colouring.
M
Camera position: Medium shot.

What is happening : Harry turns and waves, triumphantly to

the ship which shoots off into the distance.

Sound/Special effects: 'Whooshing' of the space ship

leaving. Triumphant music as before. Black and white
colouring.
• http://www.atom.com/fun_games/animator_vs
• http://www3.nfb.ca/animation/objanim/en/films
cc&id=50784