Since so many stories and comics center around dynamic characters, it is essential to convey the right emotions and actions in our storyboards. The drag and drop feature makes it super easy to get characters into your storyboards, but what do you do next? I have made many a storyboard in my time. Let me share some of the tricks I have picked up!
Character Poser
All of these positions can be created by choosing from a variety of options. When you click on "Edit Pose" on the Right Hand Menu, you can customize your character's hair, skin, eyes and clothing colors. There is a "randomize colors" button if you'd like to have the colors quickly chosen at random!
You can quickly and easily change your character's pose using any of our Pre-Set Poses at the bottom. Or, customize the character yourself on the left of the menu by tilting the head and choosing from a variety of different facial expressions. There are also 15 different arm and leg positions to create different movements. You may also change which direction the character will face: front, right, back or left.
Please note: characters in the "Sports" category have special options for posing related to their sport.
For even more tips, check out Character Posing - Part II: Advanced by one of our artists.
Posing Characters in Storyboard That
Ok. You have the idea. Now, on to the tricks! While you may not be able to get every pose exactly how you want, there are some things that you can do to make your storyboards amazing works of art and stories!
With the Storyboard That storyboard software, you have a great deal of power. The first sneaky tip I have for you is to play around with the position of your characters. The child in the "Jump" cell below is actually just kneeling in the air, but with the jump rope and the movement lines, it looks like she is jumping. The woman in the "Sleep" cell is standing with her head tilted down and eyes closed. Since she is horizontally placed on the bed, it looks like she is sleeping with her head on the pillow.
Posing Characters Throughout a Story
The story of Hamlet has a great deal of emotional charge, action, and of course, death. Hamlet's confusion and hesitation to act are very important to the plot of the play, so we need to see the emotions on his face and in his body language. Take a look at the plot diagram for Hamlet below. Notice the shock, concern, confusion, and various death positions.
Character Alternative: Stickies!
Another fun set of characters are called Stickies! They are very expressive stick figures with attire that can be colored to enhance the story!
You can use Stickies with your students to tell stories, create simple character maps, or plan out an upcoming skit or school play! The opportunities are endless.
Stickies can be found under Characters > Stickies
How to Character Posing in Storyboard That
Accessing character poses
Open the Storyboard That software and select the characters you want to use in your storyboard. Click on "Edit Pose" in the Right Hand Menu to customize your character's appearance, including hair, skin, eyes, and clothing colors.
Pre-set poses and customization
Choose from a variety of pre-set poses located at the bottom of the menu. Alternatively, customize the character's pose yourself by tilting the head, selecting different facial expressions, and adjusting the arm and leg positions. You can also change the character's facing direction: front, right, back, or left.
Exploring different positions
Play around with the position of your characters to create dynamic and engaging storyboards. Experiment with different combinations of poses and movements to convey emotions, actions, and story elements. For example, by tilting a character's head and adding movement lines, you can create the illusion of jumping or sleeping.
Using character poses to enhance storytelling
Consider the emotional charge and actions within your story. Select poses that accurately represent the characters' feelings and movements. Use facial expressions, body language, and various positions to depict emotions like shock, concern, confusion, or specific actions like death.
Character Alternative
Stickies! Explore the use of Stickies, expressive stick figures with customizable attire. These characters can be colored to enhance the story and offer a different visual style. Utilize Stickies to tell stories, create character maps, or plan skits or school plays, providing endless opportunities for creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Character Posing FAQs
What is character posing, and why is it important for creating effective visual media?
Character posing refers to the process of adjusting the posture, position, and expression of characters in a visual media production. It's important because character poses can convey a wide range of emotions, moods, and actions, which can greatly impact the storytelling and audience engagement. By understanding how character poses work, students can better express themselves and create compelling stories through visual media.
What skills do students need to have to effectively create character poses?
Students need to have a basic understanding of anatomy, as well as a strong sense of visual storytelling. They should also have some experience with drawing or using digital media tools, such as 3D modeling software or image editing software. It's also important for them to have a sense of empathy and understanding of human emotions, as character poses are often used to convey these emotions in visual media.
How can character posing be incorporated into the classroom or at home learning?
One way to incorporate character posing into the classroom is to use worksheets that guide students through the process of creating different poses for different emotions or actions. These worksheets can be used in art classes, graphic design classes, or even in English or social studies classes to help students express their understanding of a particular theme or concept through visual media.
Can character posing be used to teach social emotional skills?
Yes, character posing can be a great way to teach social-emotional skills such as empathy, communication, and self-awareness. By creating poses that convey different emotions or reactions, students can better understand and express their own emotions, as well as understand and relate to the emotions of others.
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