Do boards need to be beautifully drawn?

No. They need to be unambiguous about framing, action and timing.

Who should approve the boards?

The single named decision-maker, in writing, before animation starts.

Workflow

How to board a motion project so the boards actually prevent overspend: shot economy, reuse planning and complexity flags.

July 7, 2026 · 3 min read · Alan Ambran

A good board is a budget document as much as a creative one. It decides what will be expensive before anyone builds it.

Shot count drives cost more than duration, and boards are where shot count is set.

Boards reveal reusable setups — the same camera, set or asset across multiple shots.

Complexity like liquid, cloth or crowd work must be identified before it is quoted.

Annotate each frame with its production complexity and any reuse from a previous shot.

Actively look for a cheaper shot that reads the same, and propose it.

Get boards approved in writing; they are the reference for every later scope conversation.

Boards are the last place a project can be made significantly cheaper without being made worse.

Do boards need to be beautifully drawn?: No. They need to be unambiguous about framing, action and timing.
Who should approve the boards?: The single named decision-maker, in writing, before animation starts.

Send the brief, the deadline and the budget range. You will get a scoped quote with a shot list within 48 hours.