Animatic Storyboard Development: A Step-by-Step Guide

Storyboard development is an essential part of creating animatics, which are essentially a "preview" of an animated video. They allow creators to visualize the pacing, timing, and overall flow of the animation before investing the time and resources into creating the final product.

The process of creating a storyboard can vary depending on the project and the preferences of the creator, but there are a few key steps that are common to most approaches.

  1. Start with a script or concept: Before you can begin visualizing the animation, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to say or show. This might involve writing a script, outlining key points, or simply sketching out the general concept.

  2. Sketch out the key scenes: Once you have a solid idea of what you want to include in the animatic, it's time to start sketching out the key scenes. These might be simple stick figures or more detailed drawings, depending on your style and the needs of the project.

  3. Add in the dialogue and sound effects: As you sketch out the scenes, you'll also want to consider how you want to incorporate dialogue and sound effects. You can either write these directly onto the storyboard, or you can create a separate audio track that you can reference as you work.

  4. Create a rough timeline: In order to ensure that the animatic flows smoothly and that the pacing is consistent, it's important to create a rough timeline. This will help you keep track of the order in which each scene should occur and how long each scene should last.

  5. Refine and revise: Once you have a rough draft of the storyboard complete, it's time to start refining and revising. This might involve adjusting the timing of certain scenes, reordering elements, or simply making small changes to the artwork to improve the overall look and feel of the animatic.

Overall, developing a storyboard for an animatic is a critical part of the animation process. It allows creators to visualize the final product and make any necessary changes before committing to the full animation. By following these steps, you can create a clear and effective storyboard that helps guide the creation of your animatic.

Next
Next

What is an animatic? Quick summary