storyboardartist.etienneguignard Details
Intro
Class Intro
Storyboard Artist, Etienne Guignard
We'll create boards that hit with cinematic impact by blending motion and perspective.
Storyboards in Motion: Drawing Emotion, Directing Action
Storyboards are the blueprint of visual storytelling, bridging the gap between a written script and the final moving image. They determine how an audience experiences a story—how action flows, how emotion is felt, and how every scene connects seamlessly to the next. Etienne Guignard, a French director and storyboard artist with more than 15 years of experience in both independent projects and major productions, brings a perspective that blends clarity, efficiency, and cinematic artistry.
His teaching goes beyond drawing techniques to focus on what makes storyboards resonate. From the subtleties of character-driven emotion to the choreography of large-scale action, he shows how boards can be both precise and expressive. Students will not only learn to draw quickly and effectively, but also to think like filmmakers—crafting storyboards that carry rhythm, emotion, and intent from the very first sketch.
Class Preview
Still Not Sure?
Check Out Etienne Guignard's Class Preview!
13. Breaking the 180° Rule
- How and when to intentionally break the 180° Rule for impact
Class Perks
Special Gift from Etienne Guignard
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Unlimited Access to 20 Chapters -
1 Rough & Final Drawings of "The Absolute Infinite Karmic Loop" -
1 Final Outcome File
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
Illustration students who are eager to expand from static images into sequential art
Animation and film students learning to translate scripts into compelling visuals
Junior storyboard artists who want to establish a solid professional foundation
Expert Storyboard Artist Etienne Guignard's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
This class is for artists who want to transform their boards from static panels into living, breathing sequences. Etienne’s approach emphasizes speed and clarity in drawing, but always in service of the story—teaching students to simplify complex forms, establish strong compositions, and suggest motion even within still frames. With this foundation, students will be able to visualize stories in a way that feels natural and cinematic, guiding the viewer’s eye with intention.
At the same time, the course dives deep into the emotional and narrative aspects of storyboarding. Students will discover how to stage characters in ways that build empathy, how to craft action that feels epic yet meaningful, and how to make each transition feel like part of a continuous flow. By the end, participants will have the tools to design storyboards that not only serve production needs but also elevate storytelling, creating work that connects with audiences on both a visual and emotional level.
Get Ready for the Real-World
10 Class Exercises
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From Complex to Simple -
Composition & Scene Framing -
Key Poses & Anticipation
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Eye Movement -
Contrast & Flow -
Spatial Relationships -
Transitions & Continuity
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Emotion & Characterization -
Camera Animation -
Layer Movement
Final Product Example(s)
1 Animated Storyboard for Action & Emotion
Instructor
Storyboard Artist
Etienne Guignard
Etienne Guignard is a French Director, Storyboard Artist, and 2D Animator with more than 15 years of experience in series and feature animation. His career has taken him across France, Japan, and the U.S., where he has contributed to projects ranging from independent shorts and award-winning music videos like Still Alive and Zen Tan to major productions such as Ghostbusters, Arcane (Season 2), and Steven Universe.
Known for his versatility across styles, Etienne is especially passionate about creating work for teenage and adult audiences, combining strong emotions with dynamic action sequences. Alongside his professional achievements, he enjoys sharing his experience with aspiring artists, offering both practical tools and creative insight to help students bring their own stories to life.
Storyboard Artist,
Etienne Guignard
[Current]
- Storyboard Artist at Sony Pictures (Ghostbusters)
[Previous]
- Storyboard Artist at Fortiche Productions (Arcane Season 2)
- Storyboard Artist at Cartoon Network (Steven Universe Future)
- Storyboard Artist at Sun Creature (World of Warcraft "Alleria")
Projects & Awards
Still Alive by Aurus MV (2023)
- Chilemonos Festival
- CutOut Festival
- Spark Animation Festival
Zen Tan by Aurus MV (2023)
- Anibar Festival
- CutOut Festival
- Spark Animation Festival
- Shanghai SIFF Explore Festival
Highlights
Class Highlights
Seamless Visual Narration
Learn how to craft storyboards that feel like a continuous flow rather than a series of disconnected panels. Students will understand how to use composition, rhythm, and framing so that transitions between shots feel natural and invisible, like a visual "waltz" that carries the audience smoothly through the story.
Emotional Connection Through Characters
Students will discover how to step inside their characters’ perspectives and build empathy through staging, posing, and storytelling. By learning to express nuanced emotions visually, students will be able to create storyboards that resonate deeply and leave lasting emotional impact.
Mastery of Dynamic & Complex Shots
Students will explore advanced techniques for building visually striking and technically challenging sequences. From simulating camera movement to layering depth and creating believable action, this highlight equips them to design cinematic boards that feel professional, ambitious, and production-ready.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Drawing for StoryboardingStudents will develop fast, confident drawing skills that prioritize clarity over polish. They will practice simplification, breaking down complex forms into shapes and mastering composition that directs the viewer’s eye. The focus will be on speed, efficiency, and building visual grammar for storyboarding. -
Animating for StoryboardingEven though storyboards are static, they must feel alive. Students will learn to animate through clever use of rhythm, anticipation, key poses, and vector-based shortcuts. By the end, their boards will convey motion and energy as if the characters and cameras are already moving. -
Storytelling FundamentalsStudents will practice decomposing ideas into coherent sequences, using spatial relationships, eye movement, and timing to guide the viewer. They will learn to clarify story beats, maintain continuity, and make sure every sequence has a clear beginning, build-up, and payoff.
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Storyboarding ActionStudents will dive into the art of visual choreography, learning how to design sequences that are both dynamic and easy to follow. They’ll practice the 180° rule, spatial orientation, and rhythmic cutting to stage action that feels cinematic without sacrificing clarity. -
Storyboarding EmotionThis section explores how to build emotional resonance through visual choices rather than dialogue. Students will use framing, pacing, and staging to communicate character psychology, heighten tension, and create intimate moments that truly connect with the audience. -
Advanced Visual TechniquesStudents will push their storytelling to a cinematic level by treating the camera as an active participant. Techniques like handheld effects, parallax layering, and dramatic compositions will prepare them to craft ambitious, seamless sequences that integrate action, emotion, and narration.
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Today's Deal
Interview with
Storyboard Artist Etienne Guignard
Question.01
What led you to choose this topic or theme?
I chose “action and emotion in storyboarding” because it’s what I love most and what I’m known for. It’s my specialty, and I want to share how I approach storyboarding in a way that emphasizes both energy and feeling.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
Unlike traditional storyboard classes that focus mainly on drawing and technical rules, my class is about sharing my own organic and intuitive process. I want students to learn how to draw and tell stories with their hearts and souls, not just their brains. My approach is less academic, more instinctive, and offers a fresh perspective that complements more conventional training.
Question.03
Do you have any advice for your students?
Draw for yourself, not for likes or followers. Ask yourself why you draw and what makes you want to keep doing it. Have fun, enjoy the process, and keep a critical eye—question what you’re taught and eventually find your own truth. Listen to everyone, but don’t take anything as absolute; your personal way of creating will reveal itself in time.
Required Programs
This course will use Toon Boom Storyboard Pro.
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
