Professional Storyboarding: Rules of Thumb

249 Pages·2013·9.71 MB·English

by  Sergio Paez

Professional
Storyboarding
Professional
Storyboarding
Rules of Thumb
Sergio Paez and
Anson Jew
First published 2013
by Focal Press
70 Blanchard Rd Suite 402
Burlington, MA 01803
Simultaneously published in the UK
by Focal Press
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
Focal Press is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2013 Taylor & Francis
The right of Sergio Paez and Anson Jew to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by
them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by
any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying
and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Notices
Knowledge and best practice in this field are constantly changing. As new research and experience
broaden our understanding, changes in research methods, professional practices, or medical treatment
may become necessary.
Practitioners and researchers must always rely on their own experience and knowledge in evaluating
and using any information, methods, compounds, or experiments described herein. In using such
information or methods they should be mindful of their own safety and the safety of others, including
parties for whom they have a professional responsibility.
Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Paez, Sergio.
Professional storyboarding: rules of thumb/Sergio Paez and Anson Jew.
p. cm.
Includes index.
1. Motion pictures—Production and direction. 2. Television programs—
Production and direction. 3. Storyboards. I. Jew, Anson. II. Title.
PN1995.9.P7P25 2012
791.4302′3—dc23
2012029406
ISBN: 978-0-240-81770-5 (pbk) ISBN:
978-0-240-81771-2 (ebk)
Typeset in Giovanni Book and Franklin Gothic
by Florence Production Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon
Author Biographies
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Achieving Success
1. Overview
The History of Storyboards
Early Storyboards
Storyboards from the Disney Studio
Plane Crazy (1928)
Who Hires Storyboard Artists?
Independent Contractors vs Staffers
Staffers
Independent Contractors (aka Freelancers)
2. Visual Literacy
Screen Reference
The Story Point
Emotional Response
Visual Appeal
Composition within Your Picture Frame
Working with Shapes
Lines
The Rule of Thirds
Design of the Shapes
Focal Point
Depth
Perspective
Contrast
Foreground, Middle Ground, and Background
Overlapping Forms
Change in Size
3. Drawing for Storyboards
Your Drawing Alphabet: SICO Shapes
S-Curves
Straight Lines
C-Curves
Ellipses
Compound Shapes
The Art of the Rough
Drawing Shortcuts
Simplify
Characters
Star People
Poses
Hands
Heads
Eyes 54
4. Cinema Language
Aspect Ratios
1.33:1
1.66:1
1.78:1
1.85:1
2.35:1
Shot Choice
Extreme Wide Shot (EWS)
Wide Shot (WS)
Full Shot (FS)
Cowboy Shot
Medium Shot (MS)
Close Up Shot (CU)
Choker Shot
Extreme Close Up (ECU)
Over the Shoulder Shot (OTS)
Point of View Shot (POV)
Reverse Shot
Reaction Shot
Insert Shot
Camera Position and Height
Camera Position Affects Emotion
Eye Line
Pivoting Motions of the Camera: Panning and Tilting
Moving Camera Shots
Other Specialized Shots
Camera Lenses
Long Lens (Narrow-angle Lens)
Short Lens (Wide-angle Lens)
Fisheye Lens
Zoom In/Zoom Out
Rack Focus
Drawing Different Camera Lenses
Drawing a Long Lens (40–120 mm)
Drawing a Short-angle Lens (18–40 mm)
Screen Direction
The 180° Rule
180° Rule with Three Characters
Breaking the 180° Rule
Case Example
5. Story Structure
What Is a Story?
Story
Protagonist
Motivation
Conflict
Antagonist
Inciting Incident
Plot
Climax
Resolution
Story Charts
Incorporating Design in Your Scenes
Rhythm
Choice
6. Emotion
Juxtaposition of Shots
7. Staging
Secondary Action
Use Depth to Support Your Staging
8. 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
9. Storyboarding
The Storyboard Process
Script Analysis
Fulfilling the Story Point
Subtext
Thumbnails
Starting Your Rough
Double Check Your Work
Finished Storyboards
Digital Storyboards
Checklist for Identifying Common Mistakes
10. Advanced Storyboard Techniques
Creating Efficiency
Complex Camera Moves
Transitions
Visual Transitions
Story Point Transitions
Audio Transitions
Effects Tansitions
Cutting Styles
Creative Dialogue
Creative Screen Direction
Awesome Action Scenes
Winning Animatics
Creating the Illusion of Parallax
11. Portfolios and Promotion
Portfolio Design
What to Avoid
Résumé Basics
12. Finding Work
Online Presence
Starting the Search
Networking
Union vs Non-union
IATSE Local 800 (www.adg.org)
What's Your Rate?
Interviews
Freelance Work
Got the Job—Now What?
13. Spotlight: The Professional Storyboard Artist
Interview with Benton Jew
Interview with Jeff Zugale
Interview with Josh Sheppard (www.thestoryboardartist.com)
Interview with Sherm Cohen, Storyboard Supervisor at Disney Television Animation
(www.StoryboardSecrets.com)
More Tips
14. Parting Thoughts
Resources
Filmography
Index
SERGIO PAEZ
Sergio Paez is a San Francisco artist specializing in storyboards, animation, and visual
development for TV, feature film, and games. His animation credits in the United States and
Europe include projects for Pixar, Lucasfilm, Sony, and Sega. Sergio's work is featured in The
Art of Clone Wars published by Chronicle Books, in The Art of Darkwatch, published by
Design Studio Press, and he was featured at the Totoro Forest Project Art Exhibition. With a
strong foundation in traditional animation and illustration he has built his career on content
creation and story structure.
In 2008 Sergio launched www.StoryboardArt.org, an online story community, with both a
content creation and educational focus to further techniques in visual storytelling. Currently
Sergio is working in San Francisco developing new media projects. You can see more of
Sergio's work at www.SergioPaez.com.
ANSON JEW
Anson Jew is a freelance illustrator and storyboard artist based in Los Angeles. His credits
include: The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, TMNT, Sky Captain and the World of
Tomorrow, Anacondas: Hunt for the Blood Orchid, Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc. and Wolverine