What Does a Storyboard Artist Do?

A storyboard artist turns a script or creative idea into a sequence of drawings that shows how a scene will look and move. The drawings help a director and production team plan camera angles, character actions, pacing, and visual storytelling before filming or animation begins. A storyboard artist does not simply illustrate the story. They solve visual problems so the finished scene can be understood before time and money are spent producing it.

What is a storyboard?

A storyboard is a set of images arranged in the order that a scene will unfold. Each image represents a planned shot or a significant moment within that shot. The drawings can be rough and simple because their main purpose is communication rather than artistic display.

A storyboard may show where a character stands, where the camera is positioned, and how the action changes from one moment to the next. Notes can explain dialogue, sound effects, camera movement, or timing. Together, the images create a visual version of the script.

The format changes from one production to another. A live-action film may use panels that show framing and action. An animated project may require more detailed drawings because the storyboard becomes part of the animation planning process. Commercials and video games can use storyboards to test a short sequence before the full production begins.

What does a storyboard artist do during a project?

The storyboard artist begins by studying the material they have been given. This may be a screenplay, a treatment, a script for an advertisement, or a director’s verbal description. The artist needs to understand what each scene is meant to communicate before deciding how to draw it.

After reading the material, the artist breaks the scene into visual beats. A beat is a meaningful change in the action or emotion. A character may enter a room, notice something unexpected, or change their decision. Each beat helps determine whether a new panel is needed.

The artist then chooses the shots that will communicate the scene. A close view can show a character’s reaction. A wider view can establish where people are located. The choice depends on the story and the intended effect. A storyboard artist must know when a shot needs to change and when one composition can carry the action.

The first drawings are often rough. They establish the basic staging without spending too much time on detail. This allows the director or supervising artist to identify problems early. If the action is confusing, the composition feels flat, or the scene runs too long, the sequence can be changed before production advances.

Once the direction is approved, the artist may refine the panels. The finished drawings show clearer poses and stronger visual information. They still do not need to look like polished illustrations. Their value comes from making the intended action easy for other people to understand.

How storyboard artists plan shots

Shot planning is one of the central parts of the job. A storyboard artist thinks about what the audience should see at each point in the scene. They also consider what should remain hidden until a later moment.

Camera distance affects how viewers read a scene. A wide shot can make a character appear isolated within a large space. A closer shot directs attention toward an expression or an important object. The artist uses these changes in scale to support the story instead of treating them as decoration.

Camera position also affects meaning. Looking down at a character can make that person seem vulnerable. Looking up can suggest power or importance. These effects are not automatic rules. The artist considers the scene’s context and uses the angle when it supports the director’s intention.

Movement must be clear as well. Arrows and notes can show that a person crosses the room or that the camera follows an object. The artist may draw several panels to show a complex movement. A simple action may need only one panel if the direction is obvious.

Continuity matters throughout the sequence. A character who holds an object in one shot needs to hold it in the correct hand in the next shot unless the change is intentional. The position of characters must also make sense from one camera angle to another. Careful planning prevents visual confusion when the scene is edited together.

How the work changes between live action and animation

Storyboard artists work in both live-action and animated production, but the role has different demands in each setting. In live action, the storyboard helps a director plan what a camera and crew will capture. It can guide the placement of actors and support decisions about the order of filming.

A live-action storyboard does not always show every moment. Some scenes rely on improvisation or natural performances. The artist may focus on complicated stunts, visual effects, or shots that require careful coordination. A storyboard can also help the production team decide whether a planned shot is practical.

In animation, the storyboard often has a deeper role. Every movement must be designed because there is no live performance to record. The storyboard establishes the acting, timing, staging, and flow of the sequence before animators begin their work.

An animation storyboard may be turned into a temporary video called an animatic. The panels are edited together with temporary dialogue and sound. This lets the creative team judge the pacing of the scene. A sequence that looks effective in separate drawings may feel slow or unclear when viewed in motion.

Changes are less expensive at this stage than they are after animation has begun. The artist may redraw a panel, adjust a character’s expression, or change the order of shots. In this way, storyboarding helps the production test ideas before detailed work is created.

Who does a storyboard artist work with?

A storyboard artist usually works under the direction of a director or a supervising storyboard artist. The director explains the desired tone and purpose of the scene. The storyboard artist translates that direction into visual choices and raises problems that may not be obvious in the written script.

Feedback is a normal part of the process. A panel may be revised because the action is difficult to follow. A director may want a different emphasis or a stronger transition between shots. The artist must be able to respond to that feedback without losing sight of the scene’s main purpose.

The drawings also communicate with people outside the art department. Camera crews use them to understand planned framing. Production designers can see how much of a location will appear on screen. Animators rely on them to understand the intended acting and staging.

This makes communication as important as drawing ability. A beautiful panel is not useful if other team members cannot tell what is happening. Strong storyboard artists make their choices readable and explain those choices when a drawing needs clarification.

What skills does a storyboard artist need?

Drawing skill is important because the artist must show bodies, expressions, spaces, and objects quickly. The work does not require every panel to be highly finished. It does require the artist to draw clear poses that communicate action and emotion.

Knowledge of perspective helps the artist place characters inside a believable environment. It also makes changes in camera position easier to understand. A room must continue to feel like the same room when the viewpoint shifts.

Visual storytelling is just as important as technique. The artist needs to understand how an audience will interpret an image without an explanation. A character’s posture can reveal fear before the dialogue confirms it. The position of an object can direct attention toward a coming event.

Timing is another essential skill. A storyboard artist must sense how long an action should last and when a cut will have the strongest effect. In animation, this judgment influences the animatic. In live action, it helps the director decide how a scene can be filmed and edited.

Adaptability matters because each project has its own visual language. One production may require loose gesture drawings. Another may need precise panels for effects or complicated choreography. The artist must adjust their approach to serve the project rather than draw every scene in the same way.

What tools do storyboard artists use?

Some artists work with pencil and paper. Traditional materials can make it quick to explore poses and compositions. Paper also works well during meetings when an artist needs to sketch an idea immediately.

Many professionals use digital drawing software with a pen display or tablet. Digital tools make it easier to move panels, correct drawings, reuse backgrounds, and send files to people in different locations. They can also connect storyboards with editing software when a production is building an animatic.

The tool is less important than the clarity of the result. A simple sketch can be more useful than a detailed image if it shows the action and camera plan clearly. Storyboard artists choose tools that let them work at the speed the production requires.

What is a typical workday like?

A storyboard artist’s day depends on the stage of production. Early work may involve reading new pages and discussing the director’s goals. The artist then spends time thumbnailing ideas before preparing panels for review.

Some days focus on drawing. Other days involve meetings and revisions. A sequence can pass through several versions before the team approves it. The artist may need to change a character’s performance while preserving the original timing and camera plan.

Deadlines can be demanding because storyboards are connected to many later tasks. If a sequence is delayed, animators or other crew members may have less information to begin their work. Good organization helps the artist track revisions and keep the approved version clear.

Projects can also require research into movement or settings. An artist working on a historical scene may study clothing and architecture. An artist planning an action sequence may need to understand how a physical movement would unfold. The research supports believable drawings without replacing the need for visual judgment.

How is a storyboard artist different from a concept artist?

A storyboard artist plans how a story will unfold in shots. A concept artist develops the appearance of characters, environments, props, or other visual elements. The two roles can work closely together, but they answer different creative questions.

Concept art asks what something could look like. Storyboarding asks how that thing will appear within the action of a scene. A concept artist may design a creature in detail. A storyboard artist then decides how the creature enters a room, where the camera sees it, and how another character reacts.

Some artists work in both areas. Experience in one role can strengthen the other. Even so, employers and productions may expect a portfolio to show the specific type of visual problem the role requires.

How do people become storyboard artists?

Many storyboard artists develop their skills through art school, focused training, or independent study. Formal education can provide structured practice in drawing and visual storytelling. It can also create opportunities to receive feedback on sequential work.

A portfolio is central to finding work. It should show that the artist can communicate action across several panels. A strong portfolio makes character poses readable and demonstrates control of composition. It should also show that the artist can stage different types of scenes without relying on polished detail alone.

Short sequences are often more useful than isolated character drawings. A sequence lets employers see how the artist handles continuity and movement. Notes or arrows can clarify the intended camera action when the drawings alone do not provide enough information.

New artists often begin with small projects or assistant roles. These opportunities help them learn how revisions work in a production setting. They also reveal the difference between drawing for personal expression and drawing to support a larger team.

Why storyboarding matters to production

Storyboarding gives a production a way to test visual decisions before filming or animation. It can expose a confusing transition while the change is still manageable. It can also show that a scene needs a different location or a simpler action.

The process improves communication because the team can discuss a visible plan. People do not need to imagine the entire scene from written instructions alone. A panel can show the intended framing and reveal where different departments may need to contribute.

Storyboards also protect the story’s focus. A production has limited time to show events and reactions. By planning the sequence in advance, the creative team can decide which moments deserve attention. The result is a clearer connection between the script and what the audience eventually sees.

A storyboard artist is therefore a visual planner and storyteller. Their drawings guide the production from written idea to filmed or animated scene. The most successful work makes action easy to follow while giving the director room to shape the final result. Storyboard artists help turn imagination into a practical sequence that an entire production team can build.