Paez S., Jew A. Professional Storyboarding: Rules of Thumb

Focal Press, 2013. — 304 p. — ISBN: 978-0-240-81770-5Storyboarding is a very tough business, and many, if not most board artists struggle to make a decent living. A new storyboarder really needs to have their wits about them and have some professional savvy to survive in this very tough, competitive field. Storyboarding: Rules of Thumb offers highly illustrative examples of basic storyboarding concepts, as well as sound, career-oriented advice for the new artist. This book also features a number of veteran storyboard artists sharing their experiences in the professional world.Includes exercises, case studies, and interviews with leading professionals — grounded with practical advice and experienced step-by-step workflows. Great for beginner to intermediate storyboard artists; explore the basic principles of storyboarding including design, composition and color as well as panel to panel storytelling and page to page storytelling. Breaks down what new professionals can expect on the business-side of the artform — from an experienced professional artist.Achieving Success
Overview
The History of Storyboards
Early Storyboards
Storyboards from the Disney Studio
Who Hires Storyboard Artists?
Visual Literacy
Screen Reference
The Story Point
Emotional Response
Visual Appeal
Composition within Your Picture Frame
Working with Shapes
Focal Point
Depth
Drawing for Storyboards
Your Drawing Alphabet: SICO Shapes
The Art of the Rough
Drawing Shortcuts
Cinema Language
Aspect Ratios
Shot Choice
Camera Position and Height
Camera Position Affects Emotion
Camera Lenses
Drawing Different Camera Lenses
Screen Direction
The 180° Rule
Story Structure
What Is a Story?
Story
Story Charts
Incorporating Design in Your Scenes
Rhythm
Choice
Emotion
Juxtaposition of Shots
Staging
Secondary Action
Use Depth to Support Your Staging
Storyboard Types
Beat Boards
Continuity Boards/Shooting Boards
Live Action Boards
Feature Animation Boards
Advertising Storyboards/Pitch Boards
TV Animation Boards
Video Game Storyboards
Previs
Storyboarding
The Storyboard Process
Fulfilling the Story Point
Subtext
Thumbnails
Finished Storyboards
Checklist for Identifying Common Mistakes
Advanced Storyboard Techniques
Creating Efficiency
Transitions
Cutting Styles
Creative Dialogue
Creative Screen Direction
Awesome Action Scenes
Winning Animatics
Portfolios and Promotion
Portfolio Design
Resume Basics
Finding Work
Online Presence
Starting the Search
Networking
Union vs Non-union
What’s Your Rate?
Interviews
Freelance Work
Got the Job—Now What?
Spotlight: The Professional Storyboard Artist
Interview with Benton Jew
Interview with Jeff Zugale
Interview with Josh Sheppard
Interview with Sherm Cohen, Storyboard Supervisor at Disney Television Animation
More Tips
Parting Thoughts