Special Skills
A storyboard artist must be skilled in both quick sketching and in creating
more detailed, finished drawings. Communication and people skills are
essential to understanding the client's vision and being able to draw it
clearly. "It's important as a storyboard artist to find out exactly, or as close as
possible, what the client wants," says Harris. "You have to draw them out
with questions: `What is the character looking at? What is his problem in this
scene? Is he puzzled, or angry? What's happening?' You have to ask ques-
tions so that you can get it down on paper and everybody will understand."
Advice for Someone
Seeking This Job
To work full time as a story-
board artist, you most likely
will need to move to Los
Angeles or New York, where
the majority of film and televi-
sion production originates. To
obtain work, you must have a
portfolio that demonstrates your
abilities. To build a portfolio,
Harris suggests taking a film or
television script and storyboard
a few scenes. "Do them in black
and white, and maybe one in
color. Make sure you draw them
by hand. This is a visual busi-
ness. You've got to have some-
thing to show people."
Professional Profile:
Mike Harris, Storyboard Artist
Mike Harris studied com-
mercial art and graphic design
in his native England. After com-
pleting a four-year program, he found work at an advertising agency
where his design skills were an asset. "I was one of the youngest people at
the agency, but because I could draw, I was being used by the senior
people to lay out their television commercials."
Harris honed his skills working at several London advertising agencies
before taking a job as a newspaper artist. Before computers became common-
What do you like
least about your job?
"What I don't like is the
fact that what you create
is never seen by the
public. It's not like
drawing a comic strip that
is going to be printed in the newspaper, or
doing a painting that will go in a gallery. As a
general rule, it's very rare for anyone outside
of the production crew to ever see what you've
spent hours and hours doing."--Mike Harris
What do you love most
about your job?
"I love being deeply involved in the creative
process. Usually a director and I will talk
about the project. Sometimes I'm able to add
things that he or she has never thought of.
Together, we can create the look of a movie, a
television commercial, a music video, an
industrial--whatever. I love being involved
right from the beginning."--Mike Harris
VOICES OF
EXPERIENCE
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