This document outlines the syllabus for an advanced storyboarding course. The course will teach students how to create storyboards for animated films, including incorporating elements like character development, plot structure, and visual storytelling. Students will work individually and in groups across multiple assignments. Individually, students will pitch original story ideas and complete storyboard tests. In groups, students will develop storyboards, create story reels, and produce a final animated short. The course aims to help students master advanced storytelling skills through hands-on projects and lectures across 14 weeks. Grades will be based on individual and group assignments, with an emphasis on developing narrative skills and collaborative production abilities.

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Storyboarding- Advanced Story Structure
Instructor: James Caswell james.caswell1@sheridanc.on.ca
Office hours: Room A160. Office Hours: TBD.
Detailed Description
Students learn how to prepare a script from written and visual sources and work in groups to create
storyboards for a story reel. Topics include: multiple conflicts, climactic resolution, suspense, character
motivation and complex story arcs. Through a combination of interactive lecture, discussion,
demonstration and studio work, students develop storyboards to be used in the production of group films
Course Critical Performance
By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to create a storyboard and, working
within a group, produce a story reel.
Learning Outcomes
To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:
1. Create a script that conveys individual expression, style and creativity.
2. Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
3. Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group story
production.
4. Complete individual and collaborative work in accordance with prescribed story production timelines.
5. Generate storyboards that exhibit visual continuity and consistency among the group collaborators for
the story reel.
6. Collaborate effectively on the pre-production story visualization, development and research for use in
the final group story reel.
7. Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development and
story arc) into the development of the storyboard.
8. Produce a story reel digitally that uses effective sound, timing, recording, editing and performance
processes for the final production.
Textbook(s): Recommended but not required.
Mackendrick, Alexander, On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director.
Russin Robin, Screenplay: Writing The Picture.
Scott Jeffery, How To Write For Animation.
Canemaker, John, Paper Dreams: The Art & Artists of Disney Storyboards.

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Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:
Assignment 1: Pitch Concept (Individual) 10%
Assignment 2: Story Reel (Group) 30%
Assignment 3: Storyboard Test (Individual) 25%
Assignment 4: Lecia Reel/Board (Group) 20%
Assignment 5: Story Analysis (Individual) 15%
Total: 100%
Schedule
WEEK 1
Lecture: Introduction/ Rules for the Road
Lab: Story Exercise.
WEEK 2
Lecture: Group Selection
Lab: Assignment #1: Pitch
WEEK 3
Lecture: Visual Grammar
Lab: Assignment#2.1: Rough ideas, Index cards WRITTEN ONLY.
WEEK 4
Lecture: Dramatic Construction
Lab: Assignment#2.2: GROUP BOARD ROUGH PASS
WEEK 5
Lecture: GUEST LECTURE
Lab: Assignment#2.3: GROUP BOARD REVISON PASS
Assignment#3.1: Thumbnails due.
WEEK 6
Lecture: Presentation Techniques/Rehearsal
Lab: GROUP BOARD REVISON
WEEK 7

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Lecture: Assignment#2.4: Present Story Reel
Lab: Assignment#3.2: Roughs due.
_______________________________________
READING WEEK
_______________________________________
WEEK 8
Lecture: Editing
Lab: Review Comments/ Revise Story Reel
WEEK 9: The Monomyth
Lecture:
Lab: Assignment#3.3: Final Board Due. Revise Story Reel
WEEK 10
Lecture: Story Analysis #1
Lab: Revise Story Reel (FACULTY COMMENT PERIOD TBA)
WEEK 11
Lecture: Transmedia Storytelling
Lab: Revise Story Reel
WEEK 12
Lecture: Story Analysis #2
Lab: Revise Group Lecia/ Conformed Board.
WEEK 13
Lecture: Assignment#5: Story Analysis Test
Lab: Assignment#4.1: Conformed Production Board/ Review of Group Lecia / Conformed Board.
WEEK 14
Lecture: Assignment#4.2: LECIA Reel
Lab: 2nd Semester Preparation.

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Assignments
ASSIGNTMENT #1: Premise/Sketch/Present INDIVIDUAL MARK
You will produce a premise, inspirational sketch and present your idea for the GROUP project that
comprises the bulk of the 3rd year of the BA: Animation program.
You will produce:
1. A logline: a brief sentence or “elevator pitch” that describes the essence of your story. Think tweet
length (140 characters.) THIS IS NOT THE MORAL OF THE STORY.
2. A synopsis: one or two paragraphs that will explain the character and conflicts of the story. The theme
or moral should be explicit. This is the: who, what, where, when, and why of the story. Both of these are
considered part of the premise.
3. An inspirational sketch: the sketch can be black & white or colour but must communicate the essence
of the story. It is a launch pad of the storyboarding process, not a concept illustration. The sketch can be
presented under the document camera or as a digital file.
4. Present. You will present their premise and sketch for class critique.
Deliverables: Value: 10%
1 page sketch, one page premise
One hard copy and one electronic copy (PDF) submitted to HAND_IN folder.
Hard copy of premise and sketch after the presentation.
PLEASE REMEMBER THIS.
Due: Week 2 in lab.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
Apply strong storytelling abilities that feature character, emotion and movement.
ASSIGNTMENT #2: Story Development/ Story Reel GROUP MARK
Working as a a member of a group, you will produce rough story ideas, inspirational sketches, research
material, a storyboard through many iterations, and, “pitch” the group story (describe and act out.)
At every stage, you are expected to give and receive “notes” (suggestions for the better communication
of the story.) The application of these notes is an integral part of the storyboard process.
The first pass will be written. On index cards, break the story concept into a beginning, middle and end.
One card per beat. Brainstorm situations that develop the story and character. Develop a shot list from

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these cards. This will facilitate the division of labour drawing the board. Each member should illustrate a
concept of one of the story situations.
Deliverables:
1. Index Card Breakdown / Inspirational Sketches Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 3
2. Rough Boards (2nd Pass) Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 4
3. Revision Passes in Lab Value: 5%
To be reviewed in the lab.
Due: Week 5-6
4. Pitch Story in Lecture Value: 15%
One electronic copy (PDF) visuals to be pitched in the lecture.
One PDF of the presentation to be submitted to HAND_IN folder.
Due: Week 7 in the lecture period.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Generate storyboards that exhibit visual continuity and consistency.
Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group story
production.
Collaborate effectively on the pre-production story visualization, development and research for use in the
final group story reel.
Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development and story
arc) into the development of the storyboard.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of cinematic language, acting and staging and the ability to express
story and character through drawings.
Present work in a clear and entertaining way with the ability to invent action and express it through
drawing.

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ASSIGNTMENT #3: The Storyboard Test INDIVIDUAL MARK
THIS ASSIGNMENT RUNS CONCURRANTLY (AT THE SAME TIME) AS THE GROUP PROJECT.
YOU ARE REPONSIBLE TO YOUR GROUP FOR THE WORK YOU ARE ASSIGNED AS WELL.
This assignment will simulate a storyboard test from a production company.
You will be required to produce: thumbnails, rough board, and a clean roughly timed, properly labeled
board (A Lecia or story reel can also be developed but is not necessary.)
You are required to storyboard the script in as many board pages as you think necessary. In an actual
situation, you should watch a number of the episodes of the program to recognize who the audience is,
similar shows, the attitudes of the characters, etc. As this is a sample case, this is NOT required.
This assignment is to show your thinking process on how to interpret and illustrate the script as
presented. DO NOT focus on making elaborately rendered drawings, but demonstrate how you
communicate the action in the script, the acting in the dialogue and that the characters and BGs are in the
style of the show. Be as close to model as possible. Size relations are particularly important. Rough/ loose
drawings are fine but be clear as to what’s going on.
These tests typically take a day or two to complete so you should judge you time accordingly.
In April of 2013, DHX in Vancouver assigned 23 of similar tests to graduates. 3 were selected.
Elements Supplied:
Board template, character models, and script. On this project, no location design or secondary characters
are provided. You will have to create your own
Deliverables:
1. Thumbnails: Value: 5%
To be reviewed / marked in the lab.
Due: in Lab Week 5
2. Rough Board Value: 10%
To be reviewed the lab.
Due: in Lab Week 7
3. Final clean timed Board Value: 10%
One hard copy OR one electronic copy (PDF) submitted to HAND_IN folder.
Due: Lab Week 9
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

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Generate storyboards that exhibit visual continuity and consistency.
Complete individual work in accordance with prescribed story production timelines.
Demonstrate practical knowledge of cinematic language, acting and staging and the ability to express
story and character through drawings.
Present work in a clear and entertaining way with the ability to invent action and express it through
drawing.
ASSIGNTMENT #4: Conformed Board/Lecia Reel GROUP MARK
The group will refine their story pitch, assemble a production (conformed) storyboard and complete a
Lecia or story reel for the 3rd year group project.
Again, at every stage, you are expected to give and receive “notes” (suggestions for the better
communication of the story.) The application of these notes is an integral part of the storyboard process.
Deliverables:
1. Final Production Board Value: 10%
The board will be clean and timed with appropriate details: numbered pages and scenes, shot
description, dialogue, proper screen direction, sound notes, special effects indications and
slugging notes (rough timing of the scenes.)
The final board should be done in ToonBoom Storyboard Pro.
One electronic copy (PDF) PER GROUP to be submitted in HAND_IN folder.
A hard copy can be created to be used as a reference for the production going forward.
2. Lecia Reel Value: 10%
One electronic copy (.mov) submitted to HAND_IN folder prior to class.
Due in Lecture Week 14 to be screened in the lecture period.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group story
production.
Produce a story reel digitally that uses effective sound, timing, recording, editing and performance
processes for the final production.
Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development and story
arc) into the development of the storyboard.

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Complete individual and collaborative work in accordance with prescribed story production
timelines.ASSIGNTMENT #5: Story Analysis Test INDIVIDUAL MARK
In the week 13 lecture, a project will be screened. You will be required to analyze the story of the
project. In point form, you will describe the beginning, middle and end, the protagonist, the theme, the
mood, the genre, and give your opinion of the story. This is your chance to demonstrate and improve your
analytical skills.
A story artist must be able to review such projects to deconstruct with respect to their story aspects: spine,
protagonists, plot, characters, theme, etc. to accomplish his/her job.
Deliverables: Value: 15%
Attendance and test writing in the lecture Week 13. MARK YOUR CALENDERS NOW.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Analyze the elements of story from a visual presentation, deconstruct, comment and defend in written and
verbal form.
ASSIGNTMENT #4: Conformed Board/Lecia Reel GROUP MARK
The group will refine their story pitch, assemble and conform a production (conformed) storyboard and
complete a Lecia or story reel for the 3rd year group project.
Again, at every stage, you are expected to give and receive “notes” (suggestions for the better
communication of the story.) The application of these notes is an integral part of the storyboard process.
Deliverables:
A. Final Production Board Value: 10%
The board will be clean and timed with appropriate details: numbered pages and scenes, shot
description, dialogue, proper screen direction, sound notes, special effects indications and
slugging notes (rough timing of the scenes.) The final board should be done in ToonBoom
Storyboard Pro.
One (1) hard copy in the lab and one (1) electronic copy (PDF) PER GROUP to be submitted in
HAND_IN folder. The hard copy will be a reference for the production going forward.
B. Lecia Reel Value: 10%
One (1) electronic copy (.mov) submitted to HAND_IN folder prior to lecture.
Due in Lecture Week 14

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Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Pitch an individual story that reflects thoughtful and coherent visual and written development.
Develop a variety of co-operative strategies and leadership skills within the context of the group story
production.
Produce a story reel digitally that uses effective sound, timing, recording, editing and performance
processes for the final production.
Incorporate sophisticated elements of story (multiple conflict, complex character development and story
arc) into the development of the storyboard.
Complete individual and collaborative work in accordance with prescribed story production timelines.
ASSIGNTMENT #5: Story Analysis Test INDIVIDUAL MARK
In the week 13 lecture, a project will be screened. You will be required to analyze the story of the
project. In point form, you will describe the beginning, middle and end, the protagonist, the theme, the
mood, the genre, and give your opinion of the story. This is your chance to demonstrate and improve your
analytical skills.
A board artist must be able to review such projects to deconstruct with respect to their story aspects: line
of action, spine, protagonists, plot, characters, theme, etc. to accomplish his/her job.
Deliverables: Value: 15%
Attendance and test writing in the lecture Week 13.
Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes
Analyze the elements of story from a visual presentation, deconstruct, comment and defend in written
and verbal form.
Please address questions personally in lab or by
email: james.caswell1@sheridanc.on.ca
IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION, SOMEONE ELSE MIGHT THE SAME ONE AS WELL.
PLEASE ASK IT IN THE LAB.