Storytelling & Storyboarding with Ian Abando
$300.00
Recordings from last term available with “just spectate” option!
How do we plus a scene? How well do we know our characters? How do we tell an emotional story? Cinematic storytelling is more than a visual medium- at the core of any good story is a relatable emotional experience. ‘Storytelling & Storyboarding’ is a deep dive into how we think and feel about the stories that we tell, and the importance of emotional information when translating script to screen. This course is for anyone looking to improve their professional work or personal portfolio.
In this course we will discuss scene blocking, subtext, intentionality, editing, tone, and time management. Homework will include film analysis, storyboards from personal and/or existing scripts, and a sketchbook for exercises, thumbnails, and gesture drawing. The final assignment will be one fully timed sequence of the student’s choice complete with temp sound and scratch dialogue. This course is designed to challenge our process as storytellers: how we think, study, and apply that experience to the stories we tell.
We’ll Cover:
• How to derive tone and subtext from sterile script pages
• What to look for when studying film and how to apply that study to our process
• How a script is adapted in film and lessons to discover our voice as filmmakers
• Tips & tricks for developing characters with clear, concise, and believable performances
• How to balance energy and emotion when constructing action scenes
• How to pitch your story
Week 1: Introductions & portfolio review
Week 2: Scene Blocking & Breaking Script
Week 3: Film Study Fundamentals & Thumbnailing
Week 4: Script-to-Screen Study & Filmmaking
Week 5: Acting for storyboarding vs animation & discovering shorthand
Week 6: Anatomy of Action
Week 7: Editing & Pitching
Week 8: Final Review + Q&A
Duration: 8 weeks
Date & Time: Sundays at 3:00PM Eastern starting November 23, 2025
Skill level: All skill levels welcome
Tiers: 12 Critique spots – Receive feedback or unlimited spectator spots without homework feedback
Format: 4-5 hour live class with combination of lectures, demos, and feedback. Recordings are typically provided within a couple days of each live session.
Materials: Any digital or traditional mediums. Paintovers will be done digitally.
Description
Ian Abando is a storyboard artist and director with more than twelve years of experience in the animation industry. His start in animation was with Illumination Entertainment as a storyboard artist on the Despicable Me and Minions franchises. His feature animation experience also includes DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Animation, Laika, Blue Sky Studios, and Warner Brothers. He has also worked as a storyboard artist and character designer in television for Disney, Marvel, Nickelodeon, and DWTV. Most recently, Ian worked for Netflix Animation as a storyboard artist on Inside Job and Blue Eye Samurai, and was a series director on My Dad the Bounty Hunter. Ian is currently a director at Skybound Entertainment on the Amazon Original animated series Invincible.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
“Ian is an amazing and understanding teacher, and this class is packed with knowledge that I will carry with me through all of my artistic endeavors. He covers everything from the technical skills and process, to understanding and infusing your storyboards with creative passion. I never once felt left out or lost and overall it was an amazing experience! If you’re new to storyboarding or just passionate about it and want to make your storyboards amazing, this is the class. Ian gives you all the tools and more to make storyboards that hit every time.”
—Tobias
“Honestly this course blew me away. Ian is a true master. Watching him work and explain his process was incredibly inspiring.
I learned so much from the fundamentals all the way to the finer details of storyboarding. Walking through each step of the process gave me a depth of understanding I never had before. His feedback on my work was so helpful. After this class, Ian is the kind of storyteller I aspire to become.”
—Anissa Harrag
“This has been my favourite story course I’ve taken so far. Ian creates a very welcoming and honest class environment. I loved that the class focused on the thinking behind boarding as much as the actual drawing. His feedback was super helpful, and it was inspiring to see his own process as well as other classmates’ work. I learned a lot, and would definitely take the class again!”
Q: Are there any aspects of the course you wish were covered more?
A: Constantine
—Will Jeyasingham
STUDENT WORK
