Tips for Storyboard Production Coordinators

Here are the things I learned as a Production Coordinator for the Boards Department!

Watch a video about it here.

Tip #1: Be organized.
- Know when deliverables are due and ensure that your team is aware.
- Track notes so that they are passed to the team in a timely manner.
- Keep a clean and structured filing system / file directory that is easy for Production, Storyboards, and editorial to navigate in.
- Ensure that the latest scripts and other references are shared with the team and are easily accessible to them on their own.

Tip #2: Read the script.
- You should be familiar with the script so that you are ready to answer questions that the team may have during script reviews. This also helps you flag concerns to Prod if any.
- Make sure that directors / supervisors / artists have the latest copy of the script and have read it before their respective kick offs / meetings / reviews.

Tip #3: Iron out the review process ASAP.
- Go over the review process with the related reviewers and stakeholders and ensure that everyone is clear on the expectation and flow of review / approval.
- Let the team know when and where they can expect revision notes / approval.

Tip #4: Listen to the editorial team.
- For most studios, the final export will be completed by the editorial team. Make sure that they, too, have everything they need for deliveries. It’s a good idea to have a regular check in with the editors to ensure that they have the resources they require and to go over the schedule in case there are any roadblocks ahead like overlapping deliveries, crew vacations, software issues, etc.

Tip #5: Establish notes expectations early.
- It’s important for the team to be aware of what is expected when it comes to notes and reviews. Otherwise, you risk a never-ending rounds of notes, and it makes it difficult to stay on course with the schedule.

A few questions to clarify would be:
- Is there a cap to the number of notes per pass?
- How many passes does each sequence or episode get?
- What type of notes can be absorbed within Boards?
- What type of notes can be passed to downstream departments?
- Is the team allowed to rewrite the script? By how much?
- How much time do stakeholders get to review and provide notes?
- How much time do you have for revisions? Does it make sense?

Tip #6: Have supervisors set the rules and expectations for artists.
- Depending on the studio / pipeline / project , the rules and constraints of what artists can board will differ.
For example:
- some pipeline can absorb very extreme poses, but others may not
- some pipeline can allow multiple changes of sets, while others have a max

- It’s best to run these by your supervisor and together, list a Do’s / Don’ts to share with the Boards team to help guide their work and minimize revision notes.

PRO TIP: It’d be a good idea to involve your CG Supervisors and Directors for this process.

Tip #7: Be clear on when deliverables are due.
- Be clear on who is working on what and by when. TARGETS.

Tip #8: Check in that your team members are okay.
- Support the team and allow for open communication by scheduling regular team catch ups or 1:1 with crew members.

Tip #9: Collate notes for downstream departments.
- Help in communicating notes for downstream departments by collecting notes that come up during reviews/meetings that are intended to be addressed later on in the pipe. Establish a clear and concise way to pass the info to the next teams.

Tip #10: Sync Up with your CG Supervisors
- If working with CG departments, help manage scope by checking in with CG supervisors if certain needs described in the script are doable in CG within the time and budget of the show.

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