Directing Characters & Storyboarding
Dive into the role of a story artist, shaping character entrances, surprise revelations, and camera placement
11. - 22. 8. 2025
3 / 12 artists
English
10 Days
Kutna Hora, Czech Republic
288€
per artist
1 600€
per artist
Registration Open
* Discounted price for Czech artists after a deduction of 82% from government funds.
** Price applies to all non-Czech artists without funding opportunities from the Czech Government.
21% VAT is deductible for VAT payers in the EU.
** Price applies to all non-Czech artists without funding opportunities from the Czech Government.
21% VAT is deductible for VAT payers in the EU.
This two-week intensive boot camp is designed to immerse you in the art of visual storytelling, focusing on character directing and advanced storyboarding techniques. While foundational principles will be covered to launch the experience, the main focus will be on advanced concepts that elevate storyboarding from a technical skill to a form of directing.
This lab is ideal for artists, animators, and storytellers looking to refine their ability to direct characters through storyboarding, bridging the gap between static frames and cinematic storytelling.
What You Will Learn:
- How to develop a story for a sequence based on character motivations
- Breaking down sequences into core components, from staging to acting choices
- Understanding what characters are thinking and how that affects their performance
- Mastering boarding techniques to present sequences as fully fleshed-out motion pictures
- Using camera techniques to imply mood and enhance storytelling
- Creating compelling character entrances, surprise revelations, and dynamic scene compositions
Where This Will Take You:
You will come away with a deep understanding of how to construct visually compelling sequences that breathe life into characters and their actions. You’ll develop the ability to think like a director, shaping performances through staging, acting choices, and shot composition. By the end of this bootcamp, you’ll have polished scenes that could be used for a project teaser or portfolio showcase.
Bootcamp intro
How it works
- The lessons will cover topics like scene development, how to ‘put yourself into the scene’, subtle vs broad ‘cartoony’ acting, using the camera to lead the eye, how to ‘lay pipe’ for a big reveal and how to improve upon a scene by introducing elements not present in the script.
- Tom will submit semi-animated storyboards, so I will demonstrate how to approach boarding to enhance your pitching experience, bringing it closer to actual animation without the need for video editing tools.
- The experience of a lab like this is centered on practicing the role of a director for a one-minute sequence, focusing on showcasing the personalities and motivations of the key characters in the scene.
- Each day will start with a short lecture, during which Tom will show examples of scenes and explain how he approached the assignment. The class will then separate into designated teams to work on their assigned characters, provided by a participating director. Tom then comes to each table to discuss developing the sequence they want to create with each person or team.
Who is it for
This boot camp is ideal for aspiring directors, animators, illustrators, and anyone passionate about the intricacies of visual storytelling. Whether you’re a beginner or seeking to enhance your skills, this lab offers valuable insights into the art and craft of storyboarding. You will be part of a team of artists, led by the mentor, working on a project.
This boot camp should be fun and informative for anyone who loves cartoons and film, regardless of ability, learning to direct a sequence based on an existing story context, collaborating effectively within a team, and enjoying the summer together.
Prerequisite
A basic understanding of film language and/or professional experience is helpful, but drawing skills will make the class more enjoyable.
Suppose you are a concept artist (for ex.), and you are new to visual storytelling. In that case, We recommend reading a book on visual storytelling principles and techniques to get you started before joining the lab. If you are a director, explore some techniques to visualize your ideas for collaboration with board artists.
Fees and Funding, Cancellation policy
Fees
Czech artists: 300€
All other artists: 1 667€
The fee covers participation in the course. It doesn’t cover accommodation, meals, and travel.
Funding for Czech employees and freelance artists
Czech Labour Office (Úřad práce) offers to cover up to 82% of the course fee. See the details and conditions here.
Cancellation Policy
- In the case of cancellation 6 weeks or more before the course starting date, the whole fee (course fee, or course fee + accommodation) will be refunded minus 150€ admin fee.
- With less than 6 weeks‘ notice, 50% of the total course fee will be refunded.
- If cancellation occurs in the final 30 working days before the starting date, no refund will be given.
- However, we will consider transferring the fees to another course (conditional upon vacancies) but a 20% cancellation fee will be charged if this change will be made in less than 4 weeks before the course starting date.
- We reserve the right to cancel a course if fewer than 4 people are enrolled. In this case we can transfer your fees to any future course or refund the fees you have paid in full.
- Refunds will be paid within 2 weeks after receiving your full bank details.
Accommodation
Kutná Hora
Apartments U Vlašského Dvora (600m from the GASK training centre) – Accommodation in spacious multi-bed apartments in the city centre.
- 3 separate bedrooms: 500 CZK / person. / night
- Breakfast: 220 CZK / person / day (optional)
Libušina Villa (750m from the GASK training centre) – Accommodation in double, single rooms of hotel type:
- Price of double room: 650 CZK / person / night
- Price of single room: 1000 CZK / person / night
- Breakfast: 150 CZK / person / day (optional)
How does it work?
- After mutual confirmation, we will book the accommodation of your choice.
- Payment for the accommodation is made before the start of your stay to our organization.
Direct interaction
with seasoned
industry
professionals
Our Mentors 288€
per artist
1 600€
per artist
Registration Open
* Discounted price for Czech artists after a deduction of 82% from government funds.
** Price applies to all non-Czech artists without funding opportunities from the Czech Government.
21% VAT is deductible for VAT payers in the EU.
** Price applies to all non-Czech artists without funding opportunities from the Czech Government.
21% VAT is deductible for VAT payers in the EU.