Animation Jobs: The Storyboard Artist
by Joe Cooper
joe.cooper@animationschoolreview.com
Animation School Review Columnist
Animation, film, TV, advertising - all these industries and more use the art of storyboarding in the production phase. Storyboard artists play an essential role in the development of the stories that play out on screen.
The Artist-Writer
Ever wonder how scenes in movies and cartoons come to be? It isn’t just the artistic vision of the director or producer; it’s also the hard work of the storyboard artist.
Storyboard artists work with the script of a movie, cartoon, or commercial, and draw or design panels that tell the story of the script through pictures. They are the artists who create the action of the scene, planning each movement from start to finish. They work with writers, directors, actors, and other animation and film professionals to “write” the pictures and images that appear onscreen.
Job Duties of the Storyboard Artist
The storyboard artist’s responsibilities include the following:
- Illustration (drawing and sketching)
- Computer animation
- Storytelling
- Staging and blocking
- Layout
- Sequence
Today’s storyboard artists work both on paper and on the computer to design storyboards. Computer animation is a growing tool in the film industry, and many film storyboard artists hold degrees in graphic design or computer animation. Art and computer schools offer specialized degrees for students who are looking for a way to get animation jobs. Consider earning your degree as a great first step toward a career as a storyboard artist.
Your Future in Animation
Storyboard artists find animation jobs in a variety of entertainment fields, making it a versatile profession. The average salary of a storyboard artist is $60,000 a year ago, and depending on experience, you may be able to earn more. Earning your degree in animation is the best way to market yourself for an entry level storyboarding position or other animation jobs.
Sources
Storyboard Artist - Animation from Skillset
Background of a Storyboard Artist/Production Illustrator from JobProfiles.com
About the Author
Joe Cooper is a freelance education and technology writer and edits medical literature. He holds a bachelor’s in American Literature from UCLA.
Posted on May 22, 2006 at 10:31 AM
Previous: Union Deal Increases Animation Salaries and Benefits
Next: Encouragement to Attend Animation College Worked
Back to Archives
Have an animation news item or link to suggest?
