Creating Storyboards and Animatics Within One Software

David Navas

Company
NBC Universal

Occupation
Illustrator/Animator

Location
Los Angeles


Biography

David Navas is a painter, illustrator and animator. He credits his family of ever-ready travelers and his many adventures for his obsession with observing, recording and taking notes on everything around him. He is from Barcelona, but currently lives in Los Angeles, where he gladly feels like a foreigner. Passionate about drawing since childhood, he studied painting and photography and in the mid 90's began working with images in motion and with sound.

David works in television, animation, with magazines, art galleries or in anything that makes him feel that he loves what he does.

I like the idea of having all the tools on the same place and not having to switch between programs (paper, scanning, Photoshop, Acrobat, After Effects, etc..). I love the possibility of exporting an animatic so easily and being able to visualize the rhythm of the piece like if it was finished.

How long have you been in this profession?

Since 1998

What are your most important accomplishments?

Finalist for a Promax and for a MTV VMA award.

What kind of projects do you create storyboards for?

Live action shootings, animation and advertising spots.

History with Toon Boom Storyboard Pro:

Do you create your storyboards using Toon Boom Storyboard Pro only?

Yes. I do my thumbnailing and roughs on paper though.

Please describe your workflow

I usually start with a script or an outline which I read 2 or 3 times. Then I revised it with the writer or director and I do quick thumbnails and sketches with him to come up with ideas and visualize each shot (angle, composition, camera moves, lighting, etc,..). With these notes I begin working with Storyboard Pro. I like to work with reference audio effects if possible. I think audio gives you good timing references. If it has dialog I record the voices myself and use them as temporary placer holders too.

What are your top five favorite features in Toon Boom Storyboard Pro:

Moving scenes and automatic renaming, Light table, Onion Skin and Camera.

What Toon Boom Storyboard Pro features allow you to distinguish your storyboards and animatics?

Probably the line. I am not a big fan of vector based software but I have to recognize that for storyboarding it is the best medium.

Did you experience any productivity gains in using Toon Boom Storyboard Pro?

Totally! Especially the possibility to move scenes around allows you to come up with new narratives which working on paper will be difficult to come up.

Are you more efficient today compared to your production toolset used previously?

Yes, definitely. I like the idea of having all the tools on the same place and not having to switch between programs (paper, scanning, Photoshop, Acrobat, After Effects, etc..). I love the possibility of exporting an animatic so easily and being able to visualize the rhythm of the piece like if it was finished.

Is it possible to get the same results with other software?

No.

How do you feel about Toon Boom Storyboard Pro?

I feel pretty powerful using Storyboard pro.

Equipment used:

iMac, Cintiq 21, Wacom Intuos