Ever wondered how your favourite shows come to life? Even before the animators or actors get involved, storyboard artists are hard at work.
A storyboard artist is essentially a visual translator. They take written scripts and transform them into a series of images that show every scene, camera angle, and character movement.
In short, they create a visual roadmap for the production. Their work helps ensure everyone involved is on the same page, avoiding costly mistakes and delays.
In this blog, we explore the role of a storyboard artist so you can decide if it’s right for you. Keep reading to learn about the tasks you’ll perform, the skills you’ll need, and the job market conditions you can expect.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What Exactly Does a Storyboard Artist Do?
- What Skills Do Storyboard Artists Need?
- How Much Do Storyboard Artists Make?
- Are Storyboard Artists in Demand?
- How to Become a Storyboard Artist
WHAT EXACTLY DOES A STORYBOARD ARTIST DO?
A storyboard artist plays a crucial role in the pre-production phase of film, television, animation, advertising, and video game projects. Their job is to create a visual representation of the narrative to help directors and producers visualize the scenes and sequences before actual production begins.
“A storyboard artist is responsible for determining each shot we will see on screen,” says animator Gabriel Choquette, whose credits include Jake and the Neverland Pirates and The Lion Guard. “They plan out acting and action poses properly so the animators can follow what is needed.”
A storyboard artist’s typical tasks include:
- Reading and analyzing scripts to understand the story beats and character arcs
- Identifying key scenes and sequences that need to be storyboarded
- Creating sketches and drawings that depict the action, including camera angles, lighting, and shot composition
- Ensuring a smooth flow between scenes by visualizing transitions and logical progressions
- Working closely with other departments, such as animation, production design, and visual effects, to ensure the storyboard aligns with the overall production plan
Many people in this field start out as storyboard revisionists. They clean up sketches, ensure characters look consistent, fix flow issues, and collaborate with directors to implement revisions.
Storyboard artists create sketches that illustrate the narrative. Courtesy of Gabriel Choquette.
WHAT SKILLS DO STORYBOARD ARTISTS NEED?
To succeed in this role, you should be good at communicating ideas and concepts, adapting to different styles and genres, and meeting tight deadlines. Other key skills include:
Drawing
Storyboard artists must have strong drawing skills to depict characters, objects, environments, and actions clearly. “They need to have a solid understanding of anatomy, perspective, and body mechanics. They must also have an artistic eye together with common sense,” says Gabriel.
That said, keep in mind that storyboards are not polished pieces of art. “Rough drawings are good enough; there is no need for finished, clean, and coloured drawings,” he adds.
Visual Storytelling
You should be able to translate a script’s narrative flow into a sequence of compelling images. This requires an understanding of narrative structure and pacing along with staging, composition, and framing.
“The key poses should be well planned out so the animators can follow these blueprints without having to ask any questions,” says Gabriel. “Storyboards should be simple, to the point, and very clear, but also have a very dynamic look to keep viewers entertained.”
Technical Skills
Storyboard artists should be comfortable with industry-standard software like Toon Boom Storyboard Pro and Adobe Photoshop. Knowledge of camera angles, shot types (wide shot, close up, etc.) and cinematography basics is also important.
A storyboard being created in Toon Boom Storyboard Pro. Courtesy of Gabriel Choquette.
HOW MUCH DO STORYBOARD ARTISTS MAKE?
It’s difficult to pin down an average salary. PayScale says storyboard artists in Canada earn a median salary of about $70,000. The Government of Canada Job Bank, which includes storyboard artists in the broader category of graphic designers and illustrators, says the median wage is roughly $62,000.
After analyzing job postings on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn, we found storyboard artist roles that paid anywhere from $65,000 to $95,000. Postings for storyboard revisionists typically offered $60,000 to $70,000.
ARE STORYBOARD ARTISTS IN DEMAND?
Animation studios across Canada regularly seek storyboard artists to visually plan out their productions. While job postings do crop up online, you should be aware that networking can be crucial. Many opportunities in this industry are found (and filled) through professional connections.
“There are always jobs available, whether it is for games, TV, or movies. Some artists might work for a studio for several years while others might work for multiple studios depending on what is available,” says Gabriel.
“Once your name is out there, people know they can trust you to deliver quality boards on time. You should be able to get more and more work.”
HOW TO BECOME A STORYBOARD ARTIST
While formal training is not strictly required, it can be very helpful for developing both your skills and your professional network.
Consider enrolling in an animation, illustration, or film production program. You’ll want to make sure it covers drawing, storytelling, and cinematography. A good program will also teach you how to use industry tools like Storyboard Pro.
Internships are an excellent way to gain practical storyboarding experience and meet industry insiders who can help shape your career. Some college programs include such internships as part of their training.
Most importantly, keep working on your portfolio. When applying to jobs, research the studio’s style and include any work you have that aligns with their projects.
EXPLORE STORYBOARD ARTIST TRAINING AT HERZING COLLEGE
Herzing College offers a Storyboard Artist program that’s specifically designed to prepare you for success in the film and animation industries. You’ll learn about drawing, visual storytelling, composition and staging, and character acting, and get plenty of hands-on practice with Toon Boom Storyboard Pro.
The program is delivered online, takes just 12 months to complete, and includes a 12-week internship so you can graduate with real work experience.
Click below to get complete program details and chat live with an admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
