pencil in the top right corner. Each scene will be numbered in the upper left-hand corner
with (CONT) next to the scene number if it’s continued. Panels in continued scenes get
labeled A, B, C, and so on in the lower right-hand corner.
Each panel contains a letter or number so a storyboard supervisor can refer easily to a
specific panel that he may want changed. All EXT(exterior) and INT(interior) shots are
labeled at the beginning of each sequence. Time of day is indicated and circled. All CUTs
are indicated. Cuts, dissolves, or wipes to a new scene on a new page are labeled at the last
panel of the page before. Boards may have to be translated for overseas animators, so col-
loquialisms are avoided. The descriptions must match the panel.
All camera moves are included in the action area of the board, and they must be clear.
All pans and trucks are labeled with START and STOP. Pans are indicated as the audience
sees them, not as the actual background moves under the camera.BG(background) pans
are indicated wherever the background is moving in relation to the character. Animate BG
is indicated where the building, trees, clouds, and so on are moving in perspective. OL is
indicated for overlaysand UL for underlays. The direction of the move is indicated. Screen
shakes and dramatic shadows, usually considered to be too heavy for comedy, are labeled.
Camera directions and effects, as used on that particular show, are labeled in a standardized
way. It can be helpful to indicate the direction of the light source for shadows to keep any
shadowing consistent.
In dialogue INH (inhale) or EXH (exhale) is used when it’s heard on the voice track.
VO is indicated if the character is talking in voice-over.OSis used instead if the character
is speaking off-screen. All scripted acting instructions like (loudly) or (with a catch in her
voice) are written in. Pauses are indicated as (a beat) or (pause).
Everything must be written legibly, or typed and pasted. Room must be left for last-
minute additions. It’s okay for board artists to draw and write bigger and then reduce their
work to the proper size. Everything must be very clear to avoid errors and retakes.
Wrapping Up
Overall, a storyboard must be done in a simple, clear way, especially when the finished
product is for children. It should also be done in a way that adds to a good story without
complicating it! After the board is finished, the artist should flip through it without reading
dialogue or description. If you can’t follow the story from the pictures, then the board needs
more work.
What Makes an Outstanding Board?
Certainly, different groups of experts will have somewhat different opinions and individual
preferences about what makes a storyboard outstanding to them. But those who judge
awards generally look for excellence above what is expected at the journeyman level in the
following categories:
- Ideas.Boards that do an outstanding job of setting up the mood, tone, and pace for
the project. Boards with creativity and freshness.
170 Animation Writing and Development