Essential Prescreening Questions for Hiring the Perfect Storyboard Artist: A Comprehensive Guide

Tell us about your professional experience as a storyboard artist?

Asking about their professional experience will give you a clear picture of their expertise and skills. It helps understand the diversity of projects they have worked on, and the types of clients or industries they have served.

Who did you work for previously?

This question provides information about their past clients and the kind of work they were involved in. It also provides an opportunity to gauge their understanding of industry norms and professional practices.

What was the most rewarding work you've done? The most challenging?

Through this question, you can understand their passion for their work and their problem-solving capabilities. The way they describe their rewarding and challenging projects can provide valuable insights into their work ethics and dedication.

Did you also create the storyline? Or were you handed that and requested to create the scenes?

This question delves into the artist's creative process and their ability to adapt to different working styles. It also provides information about their collaborative skills and their ability to work within a set framework.

What is your salary expectation per hour or per project?

Asking this upfront can save a lot of time and negotiation down the line. It helps to ensure that both parties are on the same page when it comes to compensation.

Anything else we should know? I.e. Some recent work you have done?

This open-ended question allows the artist to share any additional information that hasn't been addressed in the previous questions. It could be about their recent projects, any professional achievements, or even their personal interests that influence their work.

What are you looking for in a long-term role?

This question helps to assess the artist's career goals and aspirations. Their answer can reveal if they are looking for stability, growth, or creative freedom, which can help you determine if they would be a good fit for your company culture.

How do you receive and deal with feedback? How have you sought out feedback in the past?

Feedback is an essential part of any creative process. Understanding how an artist receives and implements feedback can tell you a lot about their ability to take constructive criticism and their commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

What software programs are you most proficient in for creating storyboards?

As technology continues to evolve, the tools and software used for storyboarding are also changing. Knowing what software the artist is comfortable with can help you determine if they will be able to adapt to your team's existing workflow.

Can you describe your creative process when approaching a new storyboard project?

This question provides a glimpse into how the artist thinks and works. It will reveal their approach to creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving.

How do you handle tight deadlines and multiple projects?

In the fast-paced world of storyboarding, managing multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines are part of the job. This question will help you understand the artist's time management skills and their ability to work under pressure.

Share a time when you had to modify your storyboard based on client feedback or project changes?

This question helps to assess the artist's flexibility and their ability to adapt to changes. It can also give you an idea of how they handle conflict or disagreement.

What type of projects do you enjoy working on the most? Why?

This question can reveal the artist's passion and motivation. It can also provide insights into the types of projects or themes that they might be most effective at.

How do you handle creative differences with a team or a client?

Creative differences are inevitable in any project. Understanding how an artist navigates these differences can give you an idea of their conflict resolution skills and their ability to maintain professional relationships.

Do you have experience working with a remote team?

With the rise of remote work, this question is more relevant than ever. It can help you gauge the artist's communication skills and their ability to work independently.

How do you ensure that your storyboards align with the director's vision?

Understanding the director's vision and translating it into a storyboard is a critical part of a storyboard artist's job. This question will help you assess the artist's ability to interpret and execute the director's vision.

Have you ever worked on an animation project? If yes, could you share more about your role and contribution?

Working on an animation project requires a unique set of skills and experiences. This question can help you understand the artist's expertise in animation and their ability to contribute to such projects.

Can you describe a challenging situation you faced while creating a storyboard and how you overcame it?

This question can reveal the artist's problem-solving skills and resilience. It can also provide insights into their persistence and determination in overcoming challenges.

Do you have experience in adapting storyboards to different formats like TV, film, or web?

Storyboarding for different formats requires a different approach and understanding. This question can help you gauge the artist's versatility and their ability to adapt to different project requirements.

How do you maintain your creativity and inspiration over long projects?

Creativity and inspiration can sometimes wane over long projects. Understanding how an artist maintains their creativity can give you insights into their passion and dedication to their work.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a storyboard artist?

Lastly, asking about their strengths and weaknesses can provide a balanced view of their skills and areas for improvement. It can also reveal their self-awareness and their willingness to work on their weaknesses.