Monday, Dec. 14

Screenwriting and Storyboarding

Screenwriter Rob Edwards gives us his Seven Writer’s Rules for Survival in Animation. As someone who works in the animation industry and is somewhat good friends with those in the story department, I especially appreciate Rule 2 - Get to Know Your Story Crew:

On your first day of work, you’ll probably be escorted to an office in the middle of the “Story Department”. A bunch of guys with china marker stains on their hands and faces will glare out from their offices at you and you’ll soon discover that those guys will consistently be bailing your butt out of trouble for the next three years. Storyboard Artists take the pages you’ve written and draw them into panels. They’re largely responsible for the dramatic staging, the “acting” (matching the facial expression to the lines), and the overall mood of the scene. If you’re in sync with them, they can make your writing sing and have your friends thinking you’re a genius, if they don’t get what you’re doing it can go the other way. This is the single most maddening part of the process. It’s also the most glorious.

Some writers distance themselves from the story department and it’s been my experience that the film suffers for it. Good to see not everyone thinks the same.

Story Artists are often talented writers themselves and many go on to become directors. It’s a good idea to find out where their offices are, talk out your sequence with them, and be ready to make changes to address their concerns. Also, be ready to fight for what you believe in. You’re all trying to solve the same problems and plus the movie. Fight it out and let the best idea win but embrace the spirit of collaboration and enjoy the fact that you’re not alone.

(via john august)