Storyboards Storyboard 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In animation storyboarding, what is an 'animatic'?
- A fully rendered animated scene
- A timed slideshow of storyboard panels cut to audio (Correct answer)
- A style guide for animators
- A type of camera move
Correct answer: A timed slideshow of storyboard panels cut to audio
An animatic is a rough video created by sequencing storyboard panels with timing, dialogue, and sound to preview the pacing before full animation begins.
Question 2: What does the abbreviation 'ECU' represent in storyboard shot descriptions?
- Exterior Continuous Unit
- Extreme Close-Up (Correct answer)
- Edit Cut Underway
- Extended Camera Use
Correct answer: Extreme Close-Up
ECU stands for Extreme Close-Up, a shot framing that isolates a very small detail such as an eye, mouth, or object.
Question 3: Which storyboard convention indicates that a scene transitions by one image gradually replacing another?
- Cut
- Fade to black
- Dissolve (Correct answer)
- Wipe
Correct answer: Dissolve
A dissolve transition shows one image fading out while the next image simultaneously fades in, often used to imply a passage of time.
Question 4: What is the function of 'continuity sketches' within a storyboard?
- To show lighting setups
- To maintain consistent character appearance across panels (Correct answer)
- To indicate background art style
- To document dialogue changes
Correct answer: To maintain consistent character appearance across panels
Continuity sketches ensure a character's look, proportions, and costume remain consistent from panel to panel throughout the storyboard.
Question 5: In a storyboard for a TV commercial, why is the aspect ratio especially important to note?
- It affects the color grading
- Different screens and platforms display different ratios, affecting framing decisions (Correct answer)
- It determines the length of the commercial
- It controls the frame rate
Correct answer: Different screens and platforms display different ratios, affecting framing decisions
Aspect ratio determines how much of the frame is visible; a composition safe for 16:9 TV may crop critical elements when displayed in a square or vertical format.
Question 6: What is 'cross-cutting' in storyboard planning?
- Editing two simultaneous storylines alternately to build tension (Correct answer)
- Cutting the number of panels in half
- Switching to a different drawing style mid-sequence
- A type of wipe transition
Correct answer: Editing two simultaneous storylines alternately to build tension
Cross-cutting alternates between two or more scenes happening simultaneously, often used to build suspense or show parallel action.
Question 7: When boarding a 'push-in' camera move, how should successive panels be drawn?
- The subject should appear progressively smaller
- The subject should appear progressively larger as the camera moves closer (Correct answer)
- The background should move left to right
- The framing should stay identical
Correct answer: The subject should appear progressively larger as the camera moves closer
A push-in (dolly in) move brings the camera physically closer to the subject, so each successive panel shows the subject larger in frame.
Storyboards Storyboard 3
In animation storyboarding, what is an 'animatic'?