How do animators use storyboards to plan animated films?

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Animated scene from The Wild Robot showing a round-eyed robot with a fox perched on its shoulder in a forest clearing. — Animation Scene from the 2024 science fiction animated film *The Wild Robot*, directed by Chris Sanders.

In the medium of animation, storyboards are essential tools used to translate ideas into visual form as early as possible. Because visual emphasis is the primary focus of the medium, animators use these boards to establish the continuity of action scene by scene.1

A storyboard functions similarly to a detailed cartoon strip, consisting of a succession of key sketches accompanied by captions and fragments of dialogue. This process allows creators to map out the story and define its graphic style before full production begins. For a feature-length film, this planning stage may require hundreds of sketches to ensure the narrative flow is clear.1

The storyboard is developed simultaneously with the animation script, serving as a foundational guide for the director and the animation team. By visualizing the sequence of events, animators can better prepare for the complex task of choreographing movement, which requires precise timing and synchronization with dialogue or music to bring characters to life.1