Storyboarding

After your script is complete, the next stage is to storyboard the whole production.  In the case of a TV show or feature, the storyboard can consist of hundreds, possibly thousands of images which are all individually hand drawn.  At this stage, concept art is developed in a draft format for the principle characters and sets, this is sometimes slightly changed.

The main reason for storyboarding is to bring the script into a visual form and this is where an experienced Director will develop the story further. Often we will record scratch voices so the storyboards can be acted out, properly timed and edited.  In effect we are producing the entire production like a flicker book of hand drawn sketches and these can then be played back just as if it were the final movie.

Animatics

Storyboarding is extremely important. Once complete, an animatic can be used by the animators to time and produce each and every shot. It also gives you, as the client, a way of viewing what the animation will look like without the expense of modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering and is an important sign off point in the process. Changes to the storyboard are inexpensive and easy to do, changes after this point can become very expensive.