What's a storyboard artist's job like?

I'm really into art and animation, and I heard about storyboard artists. What exactly do they do, and how can I prepare for this career path, what skills or college courses are helpful?

Storyboard artists play a pivotal role in the pre-production phase of films, animations, commercials, or even video game design. They create storyboards, which are visual representations of a script or concept. The storyboard showcases different scenes and how they transition from one to another. This can include character movement, dialogue, and even camera angles. It's a bit like a comic strip of the project before it goes into production.

In terms of key skills, aside from drawing, you should be proficient in visual storytelling and have a good sense of camera angles, composition, and timing. Being able to quickly produce sketches that effectively communicate the vision to the rest of the production crew is also valuable. Communication is another critical aspect, as you'll be working closely with directors, writers, and other members of the production team.

As for college courses, pursuing a degree in Animation, Fine Arts, Illustration, or a related field would go a long way in helping you achieve your goal. There, you would be trained in art principles, storytelling, drawing, and technology associated with creating storyboards.

Beyond college courses, you can further refine your skills through internships, networking events, and even local film/animation projects. This would allow you to understand the pipelines and workflows of a real production environment and make valuable contacts in the industry.

Here's a simple example: if you're interested in working on a project like an animated series, you might start as an intern, then work your way up to roles like Junior Storyboard Artist, and eventually Storyboard Artist.

Don't forget to build a portfolio showcasing your ability to tell a story visually - this can include not only your storyboard sketches but other art forms that demonstrate your grasp of visual narrative. This will be invaluable when you apply for jobs. So remember, as you're working on projects or even just sketching ideas, document your process and preserve your work.

Finally, remember that the industry is constantly evolving, and so should you. Be sure to stay updated with the latest software and technology used in storyboarding and animation, such as Photoshop, Storyboard Pro, and Sketchbook Pro.

Hope this gives you a clear idea of what a storyboard artist does and how to prepare for this career path. Good luck on your journey!