University of Technology Sydney

54419 Storyboard Development

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: MAP and Sound and Music Design
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): (82120 Animation Studio: Foundations in Animation Language OR 54403 Studio: Foundations in Animation Language) AND (54409 Context: Introduction to Hybrid Animation OR 82221 Context: Introduction to 3D and 2D Hybrid Animation)
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 54416 Storyboard Development AND 88408 Animation Story Development

Description

In this subject, students learn the principles of how to approach and develop a storyboard for animated film and television and the specific creative and technical responsibilities required, relevant to industry practice.

Working from a supplied script, topics covered include cinema language, use of camera, continuity, composition, and storytelling. Students visualise a script using storyboard techniques and experiment with ways to communicate ideas through sequential narrative, resulting in a high-level pre-production storyboard and animatic with sound.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Understand cinema language
b. Develop ability to visually communicate narrative structure
c. Explore iteration and editorial process
d. Engage in professional standards and practice

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

  • Apply fundamental and higher-level animation and cinematic principles with understanding and professional proficiency. (1.1)
  • Integrate risk taking and experimentation through development of unique aesthetics, techniques and movement languages in animation. (2.4)
  • Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to present and communicate narrative, complexity and abstract ideas with precision. (6.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject includes weekly tutorials, providing active learning experiences conducted in computer labs . Students are also encouraged to take initiative in finding their own solutions through self-initiated study, critical thinking and research skills through analysis of examples and texts suggested in class.

The subject employs design professionals as mentors to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context.

In the computer labs, students work on the fundamentals of visual storytelling, with a mentor. Presentation of relevant weekly content, framed within global contemporary practice, will include videos, and discussion of case studies. Students are provided with individual feedback during the class as they work on individual tasks and will receive further feedback in Review at each assessment task submission. Verbal feedback is provided pre census dates and remains ongoing throughout the semester.

It is the students' responsibility to keep a written documentation of any feedback provided in the studio classes and during presentations.

Weekly computer lab workshops are complemented by independent student learning of a minimum of 3hrs/wk of self-directed study. Independent study is supported by online content provided in the weekly program in Canvas.

Content (topics)

Topics covered involve the language of cinema, script analysis, effective visual storytelling, and pre-production processes in the Animation studio pipeline relevant to contemporary Industry practice.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Storyboard Exercises and Script -Work in Progress

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 40%
Length:

1.PDF submission of 20 -25 slides of the in-class storyboard exercises.

2. Submission of visual storyboard panels of the WIP of the script, in two different formats-

a. PDF, aprox 20 – 25 slides.

b. QuickTime mov. file as an animatic with sound and dialogue. Aprox 30 -50 seconds.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Depth of understanding of cinema language in composition and storytelling 30 a 1.1
Level of understanding of narrative structure and story form in the context of animation production 50 b 6.1
Responsiveness to feedback demonstrated through critical reflection, and engagement 20 c 2.4
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Final Storyboard and Animatic

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight: 60%
Length:

1.Final, QuickTime mov.file, aprox 1. 5 – 2 minutes long, containing fully developed and timed out animatic with dialogue and sound.

2.Finished storyboard as a PDF document, of the above.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Scope of engagement in revision and editorial refinement through iteration and experimentation 20 c 2.4
Proficiency in animation preproduction animatic using a professional industry process. 30 d 1.1
Depth of application of understanding of narrative structure and story form in the context of animation production. 20 b 6.1
Depth of application of understanding of cinema language in composition and storytelling. 30 a 1.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Attendance Requirement

Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor to build capacities towards meeting the subject learning objectives. A roll will be taken at each class (whether on campus or online). Students who have more than two absences from class will be refused marking of their final assessment (see Rule 3.8)

References

Blazer, L. (2019). Animated Storytelling. Peachpit Press.

Buchan, S. (Ed.). (2007). Animated Worlds. Indiana University Press.

Furniss, M. (2007).?Art in motion?: animation aesthetics?(2nd ed.). John Libbey.

Hans Bacher. (2012).?Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080926926

Hooks, E. (2017). Acting for animators. Routledge.

Mateu-Mestre, M. (2010). Framed ink: drawing and composition for visual storytellers. Design Studio Press.

Murch, W. (2001).?In the blink of an eye?: a perspective on film editing?(2nd ed.). Silman-James Press.

Parr, P. (2016).?Sketching for animation?: developing ideas, characters and layouts in your sketchbook?([First edition].). Fairchild Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Von Rosen, A., & Kjellmer, V. (Eds.). (2021). Scenography and Art History: Performance Design and Visual Culture. Bloomsbury Publishing.