We grew up on scary movies. Michael Myers made chills go down our spines at 8 years old — and more recently, the dark lord’s most obedient devotee, King Paimon. But we realize there are some things even more scary than what happened in Park City or Haddonfield, Illinois. 

Here are 7 scary storyboard situations to run from:

1. Not maximizing time, energy, money or creative talent. At Saint James Studios, we are massive fans of efficiency. We work with world-class directors on the reg, but every now and then, it can be hard to get into a director’s schedule for a one-on-one conversation. A first-person chat is the best way for us to fully and truly capture their creative vision — and it’s how we ensure your time, money, and creative energy go further, too. Directors: Your vision matters to us!
2. Your idea gets shot down. You have an idea, you work hard on it, and then the agency shoots it down in a minute! So many brilliant ideas get vetoed by agencies, and this pains us on your behalf. We help shape ideas and deliver them in the best format so that the agency can really understand the vision, reducing the chances of a “no.” And in situations where ideas have already gotten a “no,” we can help you figure out a different way to present the essence of your idea, in a way the agency will approve.
3. Not keeping your storyboard artist in the scheduling loop. We love meeting deadlines — but we need to know what they are! Sometimes producers forget to send us the schedule, despite our repeated requests, and then reach out to us at the last possible minute, saying, “We need those boards!” We can usually hustle and get it done — but your result will be much better when you inform us about deadlines, so we can carve out the time we need. Trick or treat, give us something good to eat your schedules!
4. Hiring the wrong storyboard artist. If your storyboard artist doesn’t have the chops, can’t deliver on time, or doesn’t employ the power of storytelling, the right storyboard artist can make your project better and your life easier. Get our free guide: Hire the right storyboard artist (or regret it later).
5. Not knowing which storyboard style will best suit your needs. We understand that every director has their own taste when it comes to the look and feel of storyboards — and we want our format to do your idea justice! Storyboards come in many styles and sizes. Depending on the situation, one may be better than another. When do you need pencil boards, inked boards, or color boards? Get our free guide to find out: Which storyboard style do you prefer?
6. Realizing (when it’s too late) that you didn’t get THE shot. Not only do storyboards give clarity to your director’s vision and save time in the long run, they also ensure that you don’t end up in post-production and realize you’ve missed THE shot that ties it all together. Storyboards prevent this from happening. Producer: Storyboards can help you be more efficient!
7. Taking on all the stress yourself. We believe collaboration results in the best outcomes. So if you want a masterful outcome, with the least amount of stress, consider moving from control to collaboration to see what’s possible, and how it feels. Clients call us their “best kept secret” for a reason.

While a little scariness is fun on Halloween, it’s not fun in real life, when you’re trying to get a project done. We’ll protect your process from ghosts, goblins and production detours — and arm you with everything you need to safely avoid the machete.