What is a layout?
A layout (レイアウト) is the blueprint for a shot. Drawn from the storyboard, it fixes the camera framing, the position and scale of the characters, the perspective of the environment, and any camera movement. Layouts are the bridge between the director's storyboard and the two departments that execute the shot: animation and backgrounds.
Why layouts matter
Because the layout defines both the character staging and the background composition, it is often the first place a shot truly takes visual form. A strong layout artist establishes mood, depth, and cinematography for the entire cut.
What to look for
- Framing marks indicating the camera field and any pans or zooms.
- Both character placement and background/perspective drawn together.
- Notes to the animation and background departments.