Learn to Storyboard: Disk One

[Dave]

The process of finding the best graphic way to tell the story is fraught with dangers. It is easy to settle for a mere illustration of the script thereby shortcutting the power of the motion picture. The scriptwriter has used words to create an emotional response. You, the storyboard person must in a similar way, while maintaining the spirit of the story, use pictures to create a greater emotional response.
This tutorial explores those possibilities.

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://content.bitsontherun.com/players/e1XLjd2L-hyYdXPDN.js"></script>

http://donbluthanimation.com/Storyboard/_Disk_One.html

[feliceworkshop]

Thank you so much I've been waiting for this DVD with much anticipation! Definitely a great addition to your Art of Story-boarding book. :)
I can't wait for the next one where you animate a scene from the cyber garage project!)

(...and my collection of Don's DVD keeps growing,....:p)

[lavallelee]

I cant wait to get it. This one i know for sure I will be watching again and again.

[OwenWelsh]

My copy is on the way!

[ericaanimation]

My copy is also on its way. It is what I spent my Birthday money I got Monday on.


Erica Bey

[zanekohler]

My copy is on it's way as well! I actually hit the purchase button half way through watching the clip. :D

[lavallelee]

I actually didn't watch the clip, i'd rather see it in full first. :cool:

Hope it comes in the mail tomorrow!

[zanekohler]

I actually didn't watch the clip, i'd rather see it in full first. :cool:

Hope it comes in the mail tomorrow!

Ha yeah, I would have bought it anyway...but I am a sucker for spoilers. You'll never guess the twist ending!

[pudleiner]

The amazing thing watching Don board, is the confidence with his drawing.
Also, he boards in such a way that animators can use his boards for key drawings for the scene. If i remember him and Dan Kuenster drawing them almost on 8's. You could visually see the scene play out and it wasn't even animated yet.

Figuring out the main acting { the fun part } and letting the rest be done by others on the crew ;-)
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Question for Don : How often were you happily surprised by how a scene turned out by an animator ?

Meaning that maybe you didn't put too much thought into the scene, just because of what it was ... yet seeing it for the first time once the animator showed it to you, you were surprised with how well it turned out. How the animator took the scene and turned it into something more entertaining than you had thought once it left the boarding stage ?

Are there any scenes that come to mind ?

I'm sure John must of surprised you quite often with his work over all those years.

I would imagine that those moments would be great to come across every now and then.

take care
-mark

[Don Bluth]

The amazing thing watching Don board, is the confidence with his drawing.
Also, he boards in such a way that animators can use his boards for key drawings for the scene. If i remember him and Dan Kuenster drawing them almost on 8's. You could visually see the scene play out and it wasn't even animated yet.

Figuring out the main acting { the fun part } and letting the rest be done by others on the crew ;-)
==============================================

Question for Don : How often were you happily surprised by how a scene turned out by an animator ?

Meaning that maybe you didn't put too much thought into the scene, just because of what it was ... yet seeing it for the first time once the animator showed it to you, you were surprised with how well it turned out. How the animator took the scene and turned it into something more entertaining than you had thought once it left the boarding stage ?

Are there any scenes that come to mind ?

I'm sure John must of surprised you quite often with his work over all those years.

I would imagine that those moments would be great to come across every now and then.

take care
-mark

Hi Mark,
It is good to hear from you. I have such happy memories of our stay in Ireland and the pictures that we all made together there. To answer your question about animators surprising me with their interpretation of the storyboards I can easily say that it happened very frequently. Many animators created scenes that topped what I had originally visualized. These surprises happened frequently during Rockadoodle. Animation, after all, is a collaborative effort and our Ireland Crew, I think, was top notch.
I hope live is being good to you. Please join us in one of our weekly seminars; I'd love to hear from you there.

Don

[samuelvictorjones]

I've just orderred this dvd a couple of days ago. Can't wait to recieve it. (I'm in the UK so it'll be a little while for postage).

I'll one day buy all of Don's dvd's, but, for the next 6 months or so funds are limited. However, I've a project scripted & with a temporary audio track recorded, so its ready to start storyboarding to try a story reel. I orderred Don's books from WHSmith a couple of months ago now, they keep saying "we can't deliver at this present time". Annoyingly I can't afford the massive prices of the storyboarding book on amazon.co.uk - it fluctuates between ?75+?300! :eek:

Once the dvd arrives & I've had a couple of weeks to try out what I've learned, I'll post an honest appraisal. I'm sure I'll enjoy it, as Don's a wonderful teacher, & a master at storyboarding. :cool:

[zanekohler]

I got mine a few months back. Was very cool to look over Don's Shoulder while drawing. I have no doubt you will benefit from it. I am hoping to get the second one soon!

[samuelvictorjones]

Thanks Zane - I can't wait :) Wish I could get the book too - I think Dave said the have got the rights back from the publisher, so I hope there'll be re-prints soon :cool:

Watching the preview its cool for me to see Don working with Jake, as I've been animating him for the last month or so in my own short film for the seminars :)

[zanekohler]

Yeah it is a treat to see he draws over your drawings.

Yeah the books are great. I got mine way back when they were each released. I had no idea until a few months back how expensive they got. That is great to hear they got the rights back. There seems to be a lot of demand, especially if the prices are going that high. It would be a shame for that much information to be sitting locked away.

[samuelvictorjones]

Well, I got the DVD last week & have watched it through 5 times. I found it really inspiring. 1 time my 2 kids were watching with me, & they both asked for paper & started drawing!

The drawings Don comes up with are the perfect example of drawings that you look at & you can imagine them moving, and how they will join from one section to the other. Exactly what a storyboard should be.

Do I have any criticism? Not really! There could be more spent time explaining the specific processes in creating sets, 3d placement, or the way to chose camera positions, pans etc, but of course, this is "volume 1". The DVD as it is has a lot of information & is a goldmine of inspiration for creatively minded people. It won't hold your hand & walk you step by step, rather show imaginative people a better way to steer & perfect your ideas into something worthwhile. I really like it, & shall certainly watch it many more times.

Also worth mentioning that a good portion of the dvd covers the character design process - I actually found this very useful indeed & was a nice surprise!

[Johnny]

I have ordered the dvd:) and waiting for it to come.









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Drop by and Visit
Funny Animals :)
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1163
and
Process of traditional 2d animation and the hybrid 2d and 2d computer animation with
http://donbluthanimation.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1160

[Johnny]

Got mine today:)
And the scene Don picked helps in more ways than just storyboarding.

[jtq3]

I reread Don's "Art of Storyboard" last night. Have you seen this book? The drawings are beautiful. Today I'm watching the dvd and now I'm anxious to get to work on boarding a short film of my own.

I have a couple of questions. Are there plans for an online storyboard workshop? What has become of Jake the Swallow?

[Rodney]

I have a couple of questions. Are there plans for an online storyboard workshop? What has become of Jake the Swallow?

I know Jake has been something of the Mascot for Don's Master Classes. I don't know much other than that...

Don has said he might be interested in a Storyboard or Layout Workshop. Here's hoping soon than later in 2012! :)

Don's 'The Art of Storyboarding' is a great resource I need to refer to more often.

[lavallelee]

I would really love another Storyboard DVD, the first one is very helpful. A bg/layout dvd too!