Best way to approach a character storyline?

There are blog posts out there reviewing storyboard software (there are lots, with some free levels), but many are for a team to collaborate. I had an ipad, apple pencil, and it's just me. I start in OneNote with a bullet point list just to start with message i want to get across and basic flow, then use powerpoint and drawing sketches on slides for key frames, then move on to animation.

I am not an artist if you cannot tell! 😂😂😂 But when reading how they do anime (Japanese cartoons) and movies etc, story boarding seemed common. Storyboarders have a broad view, worry about camer angles, etc. They might do detailed drawings, but not always.

What I found is having a visual presentation highlights problem areas in the animation. Oh, you want a side view and front view? You want character to turn around? Individual effects might be important to the message you want to get accross, but harder to do. Story boarding can also help checking the pace of the video. Eg in powerpoint you can auto advance the slides with a timer, so you can watch the storyboard version, read the slides, check the timing etc before going too deep.

Hi Shaun,

In my experience as a videographer, I use postit notes. I use a large piece of plastic, or a table surface. I write a thought or a scene on each postit note. Keeping the story pieces short. Thus using the notes I can easily move them aroung. Adding more inbetween or moving some to a different location. Working in this manner you can create your story without having volumes of paper.

Be well and have fun - Platty