Storyboarding: A Market for Freelance Illustrators and Artists

This Guide Explains How Artists and Illustrators Can Make Storyboards for Money

Nicole A.
How to Storyboard
There is a vast opportunity for freelance illustrators and fine artists who would like to make money by creating storyboards. Many companies use storyboards to produce commercials, television programs and movies. Storyboards are comprised of sketches and drawings that depict a particular scene in film and video productions. They are made in both black & white and in color. There are many books and places online where artists can find information on how to create a storyboard.

However, storyboard creation becomes self-explanatory in little time. Illustrators and artists can create a storyboard for each scene or for special points in a movie or commercial. This will depend on the needs of the director and producer. Storyboards can be very fun to create. It is a great way to get paid for your drawing talent.

Finding Clients
Artists who want to draw storyboards can find clients in a variety of places. Where your work comes from will depend on how you approach each job. There are artist agencies that specialize in storyboards for television, advertising and film. Many of these agencies have built a good reputation in many industries. This makes it easier for artists to get storyboard assignments.

Artist agencies usually require a portfolio prior to representing artists and adding them to their roster. The portfolio requirements can vary between agencies. It is best to find out what these requirements are before submitting any artwork. Illustrators and artists can also bypass working with a storyboard agency and find clients on their own. There are hundreds of movie production companies that are in need of storyboards.

It is best to do an online search or pick up a copy of Indieslate magazine. Indieslate publishes hundreds of production listings that include the contact information for many production companies. Freelance illustrators and artists should also post information on their blog or website, offering storyboarding services. Online postings can also be made in filmmaking and commercial bulletin boards, forums and link sharing websites. There are also publications that offer inexpensive advertising.

Pricing
The rates for storyboard artists vary. Some artists make up to $60 for each image. These images are usually made within a square area and referred to as "Panels" in the production industries. Illustrators and artists who are just starting out should set rates as low as possible. It may be good to initially charge $5-$10 for each panel. The shortest video or film production may require at lease 30 storyboard panels. This means that a freelance artist could be paid up to $300 for a storyboard.

Published by Nicole A. - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

She has written and produced several short movies. She currently works as a freelance editor while continuing to make independent films.   View profile

7 Comments

Post a Comment
  • Leonel González 6/24/2011

    Greetings! My name is Leonel, I am a storyboard artist. I read about you and I would like to offer services illustration, from a distance as freelances, but I do not speak English, I hope is not limiting to make connections. In Talenthouse I have samples of my work http://www.talenthouse.com/leocomic
    or my email leonelgonz77@yahoo.com
    Thank you!

  • Eloah James 11/21/2008

    Great info, thanks!

  • Louis 10/27/2008

    I am a storyboard artist and it's true. It's a great way to make a living. It's also true that it requires perseverence and focus on your craft.
    And hustle. All entertainment jobs require good hustling skills. You have to be confident in your work and not willing to stop. Eventually, you will get what you want. If you really want it.

    I've worked on music videos and commercials for artists like Avril Lavigne, Serj Tankian, Seether and many others. It's worth the work to get there.

    If anybody is looking for a storyboard artist or more advice my email is louis.rats@gmail.com

    Mahalo.

  • jack 3/19/2008

    Hello
    You can get a right Storyboard artists.. http://www.frameworks-la.com

  • ra_kans 8/16/2007

    anyone can say the url to find the clients for freelancing

  • John Pt.2 6/28/2007

    or no pay but that's the price you pay for building a portfolio as well as gaining valuable experience. Once you have plenty of samples in your book backed up by plenty of experience, start shopping your book around to storyboard agents. It is possible to find work on your own, but I have found that paying a small percentage to agents that spend 8 hours a day trying to find you work is a good investment. Once you have all your ducks in a row, I might suggest submitting to a company like Frameworks Storyboards at www.frameworks-la.com
    I know they are always accepting submissions from up and coming talent. Remember that storyboarding is very competitive and there are a lot of people out there trying to break into the business. Hard work and perseverance will be required if you want to be successful in this line of work... just like any other.

  • John 6/28/2007

    As a working storyboard artist who was a once a beginner myself, I have a few suggestions that I think will prove useful to anyone else that is just starting out. Most importantly, make sure that your illustration skills are up to speed. If they aren't, get them there by practice, practice and more practice. If you plan on making storyboarding a career, being a competent illustrator is definitely a requirement. Also, you will need to read Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven Katz. It is widely known as the "storyboarders bible." It will give you plenty of understanding of the directing process with is required of any storyboard artist that works in the business. Once you have honed your illustration skills and you are familiar with the directing process, put together some samples from concepts that you came up with to build a portfolio. Once you have that together, start looking for projects on various filmmaker websites as well craigslist.org. Most of the projects will be for little

Displaying Comments

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.