09.03 Animatic and Storyboard Reference Assignment

Assignment Deliverables

1. Storyboard and revised production plan containing:
   • Minimum 6 storyboard frames in sequence, representing at least 6 planned shots.
   • One professional composition reference screenshot for every storyboard frame, with source information.
   • Shot notes identifying framing, action, dialogue, sound, movement, timing, and virtual production requirements.
   • Your revised short script and updated virtual environment, physical set, and prop list.
   • Combine these materials into one document.
   • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname VP Revised Storyboard (.pdf)
2. 20–60 second animatic with sound
   • Using your storyboard images, reference images, optional live-action video placeholders, or a combination.
   • Include planned cuts, shot durations, temporary dialogue when your script includes speech, and relevant sound effects or ambience.
   • Label file YYYY-MM-DD Lastname Firstname VP Animatic (.mp4).

Keep your Premiere project and all source images, video, and audio together in a single project folder so you can continue revising.

Assignment Overview

In previous exercises, you recreated professional framing, sequences, and editing timing using cell phone footage. You also developed a story, script, and preliminary plan for an original virtual production video. Now you will turn that plan into a complete visual sequence and test its timing before recording on the XR Stage.

An animatic is a timed edit of storyboard images with sound. It may also include rough video placeholders. It lets you test what the audience sees and hears, how long actions take, and where cuts occur.

Build on your previous submission. You may reuse and revise existing storyboard frames, reference images, script sections, and production notes. Fill in missing information so another person could understand how each shot will be recorded.

Process

1. Revise Your Story and Production Plan

Review your previous assignment and any feedback. Update your script and production list to address missing or unclear details. You do not need to build the environment or acquire the props yet. Identify anything that still needs to be found, made, or tested.

Confirm:

• Your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end within 30 - 60 seconds.
• Every planned action has a corresponding shot and important actions and changes are visible or audible to the audience.
• Performers, props, costumes, assistants, and what appears on the LED wall and what must physically exist on set.

2. Collect Professional Composition References

Find professional reference screenshots for every storyboard frame. (Collect a minimum of 6 different reference storyboard screenshots) Choose images that help you plan a specific shot compositions, such as a wide establishing shot, a close-up of an object, or a character’s reaction. Films, television, animation, music videos, and video game cutscenes are all possible sources.

Your storyboard references do not need to come from the same production. For example:

• A wide shot could come from a television show.
• A close-up could come from an animated film.
• A medium shot could come from a video game cutscene.

For each reference, identify the production title, episode or sequence when applicable, and timestamp or source link when available. Add one sentence explaining the compositional idea you will use: subject placement, camera angle, foreground objects, negative space, depth, or another specific feature.

Use these references to plan your original sequence. You may adapt their general compositions, but your final production should communicate your own story, actions, setting, and characters.

3. Complete Your Storyboard

Create a minimum of 6 numbered storyboard frames, arranged in viewing order. Include every planned shot, even if your sequence requires more than 6.

You may use rough drawings, staged photographs, annotated reference images, or a combination. Stick figures and simple shapes are fine. If a professional reference image also serves as your storyboard frame, clearly explain what will change in your version.

Place each frame beside its professional reference, or clearly label the matching images. Under each frame, include:

• Shot number and duration: For example, Shot 03 — 4 seconds.
• Framing and camera: Shot type, camera angle or height, and whether the camera is stationary or moving.
• Action and performer movement: What happens during the shot? Where does the performer look, move, or interact with an object?
• Dialogue and sound: Exact spoken lines, relevant sound effects, and ambience. Write “no dialogue” where appropriate.
• Virtual and physical elements: What appears on the LED wall? Which performers, props, and set pieces are physically present?
• Story purpose: What does the audience learn, notice, or feel?

Use arrows, labels, or additional frames when needed to explain movement. If several frames show changes within one continuous shot, label them 03A, 03B, and so on; they still count as one shot.

4. Build Your Animatic in Adobe Premiere

Optional Live-Action Video Placeholders

You may record short live-action clips with your phone or another camera and use them as placeholders for some or all shots in your animatic. Live-action footage is optional; an animatic made entirely from still images is acceptable.

For every placeholder clip, frame the shot intentionally to match your selected professional reference’s framing and composition. Consider shot size, camera height and angle, subject placement, foreground and background, and negative space. Rehearse your own planned action, movement, and dialogue within that composition. Simple locations and substitute props are fine.

Include the corresponding storyboard frame and professional reference in your document, using the same shot number as the clip. Live-action placeholders supplement your planning; the storyboard and reference requirements still apply.

Set Up and Import Images

1. Create one project folder containing your Premiere project and folders for storyboard images, references, video, audio, and exports.
2. Name images in order, such as Shot_01.png, Shot_02.png, and Shot_03.png.
3. Create a Premiere project and a 1920 × 1080, horizontal sequence.
4. Before importing stills, open Timeline preferences and set Still Image Default Duration to approximately 5 seconds as a starting point. This setting only affects new imported images and previously imported images must be manually edited. How to Change Still Image Duration Adobe Premiere
5. Import your pictures as individual still images.
6. If you recorded optional live-action placeholders, import those video clips as well. How to Import Video Footage into Adobe Premiere Pro

Assemble and Adjust Timing

1. Place your images and any optional live-action placeholder clips on the timeline in order. You may combine drawings, professional references, and your own footage.
2. Select an image clip and right click and select Fit to frame in the Properties panel to show the full image.
3. Further adjust Scale and Position as needed to show your intended composition. Preserve image proportions.
4. Trim or extend each clip to match the time needed for the action, dialogue, or reaction. Use straight cuts unless another transition serves a specific purpose.
5. Keep the complete sequence 30–60 seconds long.

Five seconds is a starting point, not a required shot length. Some shots may need only 1–2 seconds; others need longer. Six 5-second shots would create a 30-second sequence, but your pacing should follow the story.

Show Planned Camera Movement When Useful

To suggest a pan, tilt, zoom, or push-in using a still image:

1. Select the image clip and open Window > Effect Controls.
2. Expand Motion.
3. Move the playhead to the beginning of the clip. Set the starting composition and click the stopwatch beside Position, Scale, or both to create starting keyframes. How to Add Keyframes Adobe Premiere
4. Move the playhead near the end of the clip and change those values. Premiere creates additional keyframes.
5. Play the shot and adjust the movement and timing.

Use Position to suggest a pan or tilt and Scale to suggest a zoom or push-in. Enlarge the image enough to avoid exposing its edges during movement. These moves communicate your camera plan; a flat image will not reproduce the changing perspective of a camera moving through a 3D set. Keep stationary shots still.

Add Sound and Revise

• Record temporary dialogue using your phone or a microphone. Read every planned line aloud at a believable pace.
• Add important sound effects and ambience at the moments they occur.
• Include music only if it supports the scene. Balance levels so dialogue and important sounds remain clear.
• If your story has no dialogue, use sound to establish the space, actions, and changes.
• Watch the full edit without stopping. Revise anything that feels rushed, confusing, repetitive, or unnecessarily slow.

You do not need finished acting, polished animation, or final sound design but the animatic should communicate the intended experience and timing.

5. Export and Check Your Submission

Export the animatic as an H.264 MP4 with audio, 1920x1080, 24/30/60 fps. Watch the exported file before submitting. How to Export Video from Adobe Premiere

Confirm that:

• Your storyboard contains at least 6 planned shots, with a professional reference for every frame.
• Storyboard shot numbers, script actions, and animatic shots agree.
• Any optional live-action placeholders intentionally match the framing and composition of their selected professional references.
• Shot durations in your document match the revised animatic.
• Dialogue, actions, reactions, and cuts have enough time to occur.
• Your virtual environment and physical production requirements are clear.

Grading Rubric

Premiere Help

• Timeline preferences and still image duration
• Fit to frame and other Properties controls
• Motion controls for Position and Scale
• Add keyframes