Book: The Storyboard design course

Getting started with storyboards is not exactly easy, since there is not just one way to do storyboards.
They are made for the production you are in and they all change with the type of production.
That is why this is a great book to get into the technicality of storyboarding.
​
​Bold, incredibly graphic with illustrated examples and to the point.
​
This is part of the content list:

It deconstructs storyboards and really help getting to know what you really need.

In other unites they have information about  more technical things like the language of storyboards (unit 5) , getting into detail of the camera movements and the type of cuts.
It is not easy to find a book that talks about software and that also explains the role of the freelance and differentiate between animation and music video storyboards.

And this one does.

I want to highlight unit 6 since it goes from word to image.
​
This one is really important since it explains how to see and read a script and the treatment, going also to the length of explaining the moodboards and reference materials.
I have to admit that before this book I couldn't quite comprehend what it was needed in each.

It is beautifully explained, really clear and the color coded layout of the book makes every piece of information fit right.

A book I would recommend to anyone that want to understand pre-production.

Personal Highlights.

• It discusses client boards and how to make the easier for the client. Including a checklist that goes from taking notes and double checking in the first briefing, Getting copies of reference material from the client,  getting the mails and phone numbers from anyone that can answer your questions,  and working from sketch - aproval - clean up - aproval - then color and details.
• Shooting Boards and how the have technical details and having in mind that this is the closest it goes from doing the actual film and it usually implies working with the director. 
• The language of storyboarding detailing the importance of Screen direction, framing expressions, cuts, camera angles, camera movements, composition and arrows+written anotations.
• The cuts section, and one i was more looking forward to understanding, is pretty detailed with visual examples. and includes the entire list from Jump cut to inserts, wips, cross fade, and montage (that before they all mixed in my brain, but the exampples are so clear, it make them easier to identify and then, to use)
  
• Moodboards: including color, casting, and location.  Floor plans, reference material, costume references and even stunt scenes. Some of them are things that the Art Director provides but the sb artist can also make suggestions.
• some tips on how to read the script: first read all of it to get the sense of the story, a secon time making notes with questions and ideas, and highlight key passages or scenes.
• Special section in Animation Storyboards:  Freedom with gags and meeting with the director are more frequent, and the drawing style should match the one of the animation. The layout often comes from the storyboard. The most important thing for working in a close team like the one in animation studios is  C O M MU N I C A T I ON