Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started for free
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts summary
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts summary
Nancy Beiman
Brief summary
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts by Nancy Beiman is a comprehensive guide that teaches the art of storyboarding and character development in animation, providing valuable insights and practical tips for aspiring animators.
Topics
Table of Contents
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts
Summary of key ideas
Understanding the Basics of Animation
In Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts by Nancy Beiman, we embark on a journey to understand the basics of animation. Beiman, an experienced animator, begins by explaining the significance of storyboarding and character design in the animation process. She emphasizes the importance of these elements in conveying the story and engaging the audience.
We learn about the different types of animation, including 2D, 3D, and stop-motion, and how the principles of animation apply to each. Beiman provides an overview of the animation pipeline, from concept to final production, and the role of storyboarding in this process. She also discusses the importance of understanding the target audience and genre when developing characters and storylines.
Storytelling through Storyboards
The author then delves into the art of storyboarding, detailing its purpose and structure. She explains how storyboards act as a visual blueprint for the animation, allowing the team to visualize and refine the story before production begins. Beiman highlights the importance of conveying the story's mood, pacing, and emotion through the arrangement of shots and the use of camera angles.
We learn about the different types of shots used in storyboarding, such as long shots, close-ups, and extreme angles, and their impact on the narrative. Beiman also discusses the use of transitions, such as cuts and fades, to create seamless storytelling. She emphasizes the need for clarity and economy in storyboarding, ensuring that the visuals effectively communicate the narrative.
The Art of Character Design
With a solid understanding of storyboarding, we move on to character design. Beiman explains the process of creating memorable and relatable characters, stressing the importance of their visual appeal and personality. She discusses the use of shape, color, and costume to convey a character's traits and motivations.
In addition to visual design, Beiman explores the importance of character development in storytelling. She explains how a character's backstory, relationships, and growth contribute to the overall narrative. Beiman also discusses the significance of character consistency, ensuring that the character's visual and behavioral traits remain constant throughout the animation.
Bringing it All Together
In the latter part of the book, Beiman brings together the concepts of storyboarding and character design. She explains how the two elements work in tandem to create a cohesive and engaging narrative. Beiman emphasizes the need for a strong story structure, well-developed characters, and effective visual storytelling to captivate the audience.
Throughout Prepare to Board!, Beiman illustrates her points with examples from classic and contemporary animations, providing insights into the creative processes behind these works. She also includes exercises and assignments to help readers apply the concepts discussed in the book. By the end, readers gain a comprehensive understanding of the critical role of story and character in animation, and the techniques to effectively convey them through storyboarding.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts about?
Prepare to Board! by Nancy Beiman is a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in creating animated features and shorts. It covers everything from developing a compelling story to designing memorable characters, and provides practical tips and techniques for effective storyboarding. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, this book will inspire and empower you to bring your animated ideas to life.
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts Review
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts (2007) provides valuable insights into the process of developing compelling narratives and characters for animated projects. Here are three reasons why this book stands out:
- Offers practical tips and techniques for crafting engaging stories and characters, making it a valuable resource for aspiring animators and storytellers alike.
- Includes insider knowledge from industry experts and professionals, giving readers a glimpse into the world of animated filmmaking and storytelling.
- Uses visual examples and exercises to enhance learning and understanding, ensuring that the content remains engaging and applicable throughout the entire read.
Who should read Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts?
Aspiring animators and storyboard artists looking to improve their skills
Students studying animation or film production
Professionals in the animation industry seeking insights and techniques for creating compelling stories and characters
Categories with Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts
Book summaries like Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
43 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts FAQs
What is the main message of Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts?
Craft compelling stories and characters for animation effectively.
How long does it take to read Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts?
Reading time varies but typically takes hours. Blinkist summary: under 15 minutes.
Is Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts a good book? Is it worth reading?
Worth reading for valuable insights on storytelling in animation.
Who is the author of Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts?
Nancy Beiman is the author of the book.
What to read after Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts?
If you're wondering what to read next after Prepare to Board! Creating Story and Characters for Animated Features and Shorts, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda