What a Storyboard Artist Actually Does for Your Production
A storyboard artist translates a script or director's vision into sequential visual panels that map out camera angles, movement, blocking, and pacing before a single frame is shot. On a film or TV production, this work is foundational. It helps directors communicate with cinematographers, lets the AD build a more accurate schedule, and gives the entire crew a shared visual language going into production days.
Beyond basic panels, a strong storyboard artist will work closely with the director and DP to explore coverage options, flag potential staging problems, and sometimes produce animatics that show timing in motion. For commercials and music videos, storyboards are often presented directly to clients or labels as part of the pitch process, so visual polish matters just as much as conceptual accuracy.
What to Look for When Hiring in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has a deep talent pool, but not every storyboard artist has experience across every format. Here are the things worth checking before you book:
- A portfolio that matches your format, whether that is narrative film, episodic TV, commercials, or unscripted. The visual approach varies significantly.
- Speed and turnaround. Pre-production timelines are rarely generous. Ask how many panels they can deliver per day and whether they have availability during your prep window.
- Collaboration style. The best storyboard artists are good listeners who can absorb notes from a director and turn revisions around quickly without ego getting in the way.
- Software and delivery preferences. Some artists work digitally in Photoshop or Storyboard Pro; others sketch traditionally and scan. Know what your pipeline needs before you start the conversation.
- References or credits from productions similar in scale to yours.
Rates for Storyboard Artists in Los Angeles
Rates in Los Angeles vary depending on experience, format, and whether the artist is union affiliated. Hourly and day rates are common for shorter commercial or music video work, while feature and episodic projects often negotiate a flat fee per scene or per panel. Rates are typically higher in LA than in most other US markets, reflecting both the cost of living and the concentration of high-budget productions. Always clarify whether a quoted rate includes revisions and how many rounds are covered.
Find and Book Storyboard Artists Fast on NeedaCrew
NeedaCrew is built specifically for film and TV hiring in the US and Canada. Every crew member on the platform is verified, and producers can post a project, review profiles, and reach out to candidates all in one place, without sifting through general freelance platforms that were not built for production.
If you are a producer or production coordinator ready to staff your next project, post your project on NeedaCrew and start connecting with storyboard artists in Los Angeles today.
If you are a storyboard artist looking for your next gig in LA, join NeedaCrew as a crew member and get in front of producers who are actively hiring.