Storyboard Artist Karen J Lloyd Separates the Good Scripts from the Bad Scripts
by Jaden
With a background in graphic design, Canadian storyboard artist Karen J Lloyd has kindly permitted Screenwriting for Hollywood to reprint one of her insightful articles:10 Signs to Know if You’re Reading a Strong Script. A student and instructor from Vancouver Film School, Karen studied and later taught Classical Animation, Game Design, Film Production, and Digital Design.
Anyone interested in film or television will find loads of useful tips and information at Karen’s website. Cleverly written, full of cartoons, Karen makes learning fun.
Before we move on, what does a storyboard artist do and why is her opinion so important?
Storyboard artists read scripts and draw their vision of how the movie would appear on screen, often with the guidance of the director.
Similar to comic books, storyboard is the half way zone between the script and the movie, a visual representation of how the movie will look, but on paper.
The hand-drawn images include camera shot angles, characters in position, background, general settings, mood, action, and more, everything except the sound.
The storyboard is the director’s bible for how to shoot a movie, commercial, or television show.
10 Signs to Know if You’re Reading a Strong Script
Before I get into this, I just want to make one thing clear.
I love writers. I respect writers.
I know how hard it must be to write a script from a blank page. Just as I know how hard it is to draw a storyboard from a blank page. It’s very easy to come in after it’s finished and pick out what could be better.
I just want you (and the writers) to know how artists see their scripts when taking them to the next level in production. I’m writing this from a visual storytelling point of view. And it’s all for the good of the story, right?
Like I mentioned in my previous post, I see myself as the ‘fresh eyes’ when I get a script. Board artists can point out things that may have been overlooked by the writer and director. Sometimes time runs out and it just has to be good enough…because hey, there’s schedule to keep! I get that completely.
I write this out of my experience and opinions of animation scripts.
- GOOD SIGN: On the first read, the script flows like a great novel you can’t put down. Meaning, you just sit back and enjoy it from beginning to end. You see it all clearly in your head. Like a little movie is playing in your mind and it flows smoothly. LOVE that.
- BAD SIGN: On the first read, you do the ‘flip-back’. Meaning, as you read, you pause mid-page and ‘flip-back’ to a previous page because you think you missed something. If I’ve done a couple of ‘flip-backs’, I know I could be in for a frustrating ride.
- GOOD SIGN: As you read, you can always envision where everyone is and the possibilities of how the action could be staged.
- BAD SIGN: You’re already worried that you don’t know how you’re going to stage this. You’re saying to yourself, “Where are they?” and wonder how the characters are going to do what is written.
- GOOD SIGN: Even if it’s the first script you’ve read of a series, you get a good feel for the characters’ personalities. You may not have read the show bible or any director’s notes yet, but you still really ‘get it’.
- BAD SIGN: The script is all action with no ‘character’ showing through. Or too much witty dialogue and not enough visuals. They’re running around doing a bunch of ’stuff’, but they seem like puppets. Like it could be any character doing this…and that’s not good for a cartoon (or any story for that matter).
- GOOD SIGN: You easily envision ways to take what is written and expand on it. Make it funnier, better. And guess what? That’s the storyboard artist’s job. This is by no means an insult to the writing…this is just the next step.
- BAD SIGN: You feel you have to fix the script. There may be some gaps in action or logic, and you have to fix it visually without changing the dialogue (because you usually never can). There’s a difference between enhancing and repairing…and ya gotta do what ya gotta do.
- GOOD SIGN: When you finish reading, you’re enthused to get started on this one. You have some good ideas and visuals in your head to make it even more entertaining. That’s a good feeling.
- BAD SIGN: You feel confused by the story and dread getting started. Maybe you’ve made some screwed-up faces while reading (or is that just me?). This is worst case-scenario of course. No one wants their script to be viewed like this!
“OK, but what do I do about it?”
Well, if you’re the board artist and get a script with a lot of ‘bad signs’, you may not be able to do much about getting them fixed. If the script has been approved and that’s it…then that’s it.
It’ll be a longer haul for you and a bit more frustrating while doing some ‘repair work’. But this can help you become a better board artist. It’s challenging to fix story glitches and with the right attitude, it can be fun and rewarding. Sorta.
If nothing else, the studio will see you as someone they can depend on to do the job with your head, not just your drawing hand. That’s a good place to be and what you should be striving for, so don’t knock it.
Of course, I’d rather be getting those great scripts that I can take to the next level. So to all the writers who gave me those…thank you!
Comments
13 Responses to “Storyboard Artist Karen J Lloyd Separates the Good Scripts from the Bad Scripts”
Got something to say?
Subscribe
-
-
content rss
Thank you Jaden and Karen for this post! It’s nice to see screenwriting from another perspective and the issues storyboard artists face when looking at a screenplay. It’s also nice to see another Canadian on the site!
Karen: I’m assuming that you don’t teach anymore at VFS? I might be going to an info session, here in Halifax, next Friday, but I think I might have to work a few years before I can afford to go there for the film production program. I’m just finishing up my BCom in Finance. I was talking with a Nova Scotian producer last week and he was telling me that it’s rare to see somebody with a finance and film background in the Canadian film industry.
Hi SP and thanks.
No I don’t teach there anymore (though I could go back). Got really busy at one point and then decided I needed a break from it. But I’m continuing the teaching on the blog and want to do my own thing now. :)
It is quite expensive at VFS but the film program has a pretty good reputation. That sounds like an interesting mix of skills you could bring to the table. Do you know they have a new entertainment business management course too?
Good luck and woo hoo Canada! :)
K
Karen: Yes, I saw that. Is that more for being an agent or producer? More on the legal and talent management side of things? I’m also looking at a few more schools, like the Screen Arts program at NSCC, here in Halifax, or my dream school NY Film Academy (WAAAAY TOO EXPENSIVE), but I’ll see how this year turns out before I try to apply for another program/diploma.
Hi, I found your blog on this new directory of WordPress Blogs at blackhatbootcamp.com/listofwordpressblogs. I dont know how your blog came up, must have been a typo, i duno. Anyways, I just clicked it and here I am. Your blog looks good. Have a nice day. James.
James — Welcome! Always nice to see new folks. Since you didn’t link back to a blog, I am guessing maybe you are starting a new one? Good luck. Lots of helpful people if you need us, let me know.
Hi Jaden and Karen,
Great interview. It’s interesting to see how storyboard artists actually work with a script. I had no idea. It seems like it must have to be very much in sync with the writer – getting everyone(thing) on board, so to speak. I understand what you mean about the good and bad points involved in the process of story telling, or lack thereof. In comparison, a good editor would do the same thing with a novel.
Does everyone in production see the storyboard? Or just the director and producer?
When I see great movies, I always watch the features, too, which often show storyboarding stuff. I know next to nothing about it, but have always found it fascinating that people can do this and how they do it. Such detailed vision blows my mind, and then the art part of it – wow!
I too am very interested and fascinated with how screenplays and storyboards work together. I mean, it’s something I knew about, but… not really. I’ve also watched features on DVDs and watch them compare the storyboard to what was actually filmmed, or even scenes that weren’t filmmed, and I never really considered how they were made. I’m a bit ashamed to say I overlook the storyboard process, but now after reading this post, I will keep it in mind when writing my scripts.
So thanks to both Jaden and Karen. I am that much more enlightened and inspired.
@ SP – Yes, I think it’s more all the behind the scenes stuff of the entertainment business. The course came about after I left, so I can’t say I know a lot about it. Those film schools can cost a bundle, can’t they? :)
@James – funny how you left the *exact* same comment on my blog. *sniff*…I smell spam.
@Jaden – where’s our delete keys? ;)
@Ellen – we are indeed in sych with the writer but I’ve never communicated with one! I get the script and that’s it. Mind you, I only board for animation so it’s a bit different than live action. In TV cartoons, *everyone* pretty much works from the board. It’s truly a ‘bible’ of the episode. In live action, it’s probably dumped after shooting finishes (unless it’s special effects heavy) and then it’s in the editor’s hands.
@Steph – Hi! There are some amazing boards to be found on DVDs. Like you appreciate that, I appreciate the writer. I’m not an ‘idea person’ but I love helping others tell their stories better.
@T – thanks! The trick is to keep in mind they were made *before* anything is shot. I think folks forget that sometimes. :) I think it can benefit the writer to think where their script is going next. Like I know where my board is going next (layout and animation) helps me make a better production-friendly board.
Thanks to all (and Jaden) for the nice comments. :)
Karen — Is that James really spam? Gosh, they are getting good at that.
@ admin – I had the same message (word for word) in my comments and since there was no link attached, I left it. But after seeing it here, yeah, I do think so. I have since hit the delete button. :)
[...] This was a couple of weeks ago, but Jaden over at Screenwriting for Hollywood wrote some nice things about me and reprinted one of my articles. If you’re into writing [...]
this forum has got good design keep it up.