Take rough storyboards and animatic-stage boards and refine them into clean, polished sequences ready for production - preserving intent while significantly elevating execution. * Originate ...
Take rough storyboards and animatic-stage boards and refine them into clean, polished sequences ready for production - preserving intent while significantly elevating execution. * Originate ...
Senior Storyboard Artist
New Orleans, LA · On-site
Take rough storyboards and animatic-stage boards and refine them into clean, polished sequences ready for production - preserving intent while significantly elevating execution. * Originate ...
Senior Storyboard Artist
New Orleans, LA · On-site
Take rough storyboards and animatic-stage boards and refine them into clean, polished sequences ready for production - preserving intent while significantly elevating execution. * Originate ...
Animatic information
See salary details
$8.89 - $13.70
16% of jobs
$15.17 is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$13.70 - $18.51
29% of jobs
The median wage is $19.71 / hr.
$18.51 - $23.32
19% of jobs
$27.58 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$23.32 - $28.13
12% of jobs
$28.13 - $32.93
8% of jobs
$32.93 - $37.74
5% of jobs
$37.74 - $42.55
4% of jobs
$42.55 - $47.36
2% of jobs
$47.36 - $52.16
2% of jobs
$52.16 - $56.97
1% of jobs
$56.97 - $61.78
1% of jobs
$8
$26
$61
How much do animatic jobs pay per hour?
As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for animatic in the United States is $26.34, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.14 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.
What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animatic Artist, and why are they important?
To thrive as an Animatic Artist, you need a solid understanding of storyboarding, animation principles, and visual storytelling, often supported by a degree in animation or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard software like Adobe After Effects, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro, and Photoshop is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and time management skills help artists effectively interpret scripts and collaborate with directors and production teams. These skills ensure that animatics clearly convey narrative pacing and visual direction, laying the groundwork for successful animation production.
What are some common challenges animatic artists face during the production process?
Animatic artists often navigate tight deadlines and frequent revisions as storyboards evolve and client feedback is incorporated. Balancing creative storytelling with technical constraints, such as timing and pacing, is a key challenge. Collaboration is essential, as animatic artists frequently work with directors, editors, and animation teams to ensure the visual narrative aligns with the project’s vision. Staying adaptable and communicating effectively helps manage these challenges and ensures a smooth production process.
What is an animatic?
An animatic is a preliminary version of a film, animation, or commercial, created by sequencing together storyboard images with rough timing and audio. It helps directors, animators, and clients visualize the flow of a project before full production begins. Animatics are essential for planning timing, pacing, shot composition, and transitions, allowing for feedback and revisions early in the creative process. They often include temporary voiceovers, sound effects, and music to better simulate the final product.
What is the difference between Animatic vs Storyboard Artist?
| Aspect | Animatic | Storyboard Artist |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Pre-visualization of animated scenes using rough animation and timing | Creating visual storyboards to plan scenes and sequences |
| Required Skills | Basic animation, editing, timing, and storytelling | Drawing, composition, storytelling, and visual planning |
| Work Environment | Animation studios, post-production, pre-visualization teams | Animation, film, and advertising industries |
| Tools Used | Editing software, animation tools, storyboarding software | Drawing tablets, storyboarding software, sketching tools |
While both roles are essential in the animation and film production process, an animatic focuses on creating a rough animated version of scenes to visualize timing and flow, whereas a storyboard artist develops detailed visual plans and sketches to guide the production. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and project workflows in animation and film industries.
More about Animatic jobs
What cities are hiring for Animatic jobs? Cities with the most Animatic job openings:
What job categories do people searching Animatic jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Animatic jobs are:
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Posted 24 days ago
Job description
Job Summary
As a Senior Storyboard Artist, you will be responsible for both originating new storyboard sequences and refining boards coming out of the animatic process. Working with rough boards and reference materials, you will bring polish, clarity, and cinematic energy to sequences, ensuring that every panel communicates clear movement, compelling performance, and strong camera language. This role demands a seasoned artist who can work at a fast pace without sacrificing quality, and who brings deep knowledge of visual storytelling to every sequence they touch.
Key Responsibilities
- Take rough storyboards and animatic-stage boards and refine them into clean, polished sequences ready for production - preserving intent while significantly elevating execution.
- Originate storyboard sequences from script, director thumbnail, or verbal brief - developing staging, camera, and action from scratch when needed.
- Deliver expressive, nuanced character acting with clear emotional reads, strong poses, and fluid movement from panel to panel.
- Apply expert knowledge of perspective, staging, and camera language to ensure every sequence is cinematically compelling and spatially coherent.
- Interpret and build upon quick sketches and rough gesture drawings, extracting the core idea and elevating it to production quality.
- Maintain consistent character appeal and on-model accuracy.
- Collaborate closely with the director and art and story team to understand sequence intent and deliver boards that serve the story.
- Adapt quickly to feedback and revisions, maintaining a high output pace within the demands of a feature film production schedule.
- Mentor and support junior board artists, providing guidance on technique, story sense, and production standards.
- Organize and prepare finalized boards for presentation, editorial, and pipeline handoff.
Required Qualifications
- Exceptional drawing skills with a commanding sense of gesture, expression, action, perspective, and appeal - evident in both refined work and quick sketches.
- Demonstrated ability to develop sequences from scratch - translating a script page, thumbnail, or verbal direction into clear, story-ready boards independently.
- Deep understanding of emotional performance and character acting; able to convey nuance, subtlety, and clear story beats through poses and expressions.
- Proven ability to sustain high-quality output at a high pace.
- Strong command of cinematic principles: camera placement, lens choice, framing, staging, and shot-to-shot continuity.
- Expert level of gestural and figurative drawing both with finesse and loose short hand, to apply across various character design proportions, staying on- model with consistency.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret rough or gestural input and produce clean, story-ready boards that honor the original intent.
- Expert grasp of perspective, spatial reasoning, and environment staging across a range of camera angles.
- Fluency with digital tools including Storyboard Pro, Photoshop, or equivalent; comfortable working efficiently in a digital pipeline.
- Strong collaborative skills with a professional approach to feedback, revision cycles, and cross-department communication.
Preferred Qualifications
- Background in animation (2D or 3D/CG), with a strong understanding of timing, arcs, and movement principles that inform great boarding.
- Experience working within or alongside animatic and editorial workflows.
- Knowledge of CG/3D production pipelines and how boards interface with layout and animation.
- The ability and comfort to draw live in front of a director/ team with ease.