Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Blocking • Depth of Field • Rough Pass

Pan

Term from Animation Storyboarding industry explained for recruiters

A pan (or panning) is a basic but important camera movement technique in animation and film storyboarding. It's like when the camera moves sideways across a scene, similar to how you might turn your head to look from left to right. This technique helps tell stories by revealing new information or following action across a scene. When someone mentions "pan" in their animation resume, they're talking about their ability to plan and create these camera movements in storyboards, which are like comic-strip versions of scenes that guide the animation process.

Examples in Resumes

Created dynamic action sequences using Pan and tracking shots in storyboards for animated series

Utilized Pan movements to reveal story elements in promotional animation sequences

Applied Panning techniques to enhance dramatic moments in character interactions

Typical job title: "Storyboard Artists"

Also try searching for:

Storyboard Artist Animation Artist Layout Artist Previsualization Artist Animatic Artist Story Artist Motion Designer

Where to Find Storyboard Artists

Online Communities

Professional Networks

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you decide when to use a pan versus other camera movements in your storyboards?

Expected Answer: A senior artist should explain how they consider story pacing, emotional impact, and practical production constraints when choosing camera movements. They should provide examples of when pans are most effective and when other techniques might work better.

Q: How do you mentor junior artists in executing effective camera movements?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate leadership skills by explaining their teaching approach, common mistakes to avoid, and how they help others understand the storytelling purpose behind camera movements.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Can you explain different types of pans and their storytelling purposes?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe various panning techniques (slow reveal, action follow, establishing shots) and explain when each type is most effective for storytelling.

Q: How do you coordinate camera movements with timing and animation?

Expected Answer: Should explain how they plan movement speeds, consider character action timing, and communicate these elements clearly in their storyboards.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a pan and how do you indicate it in storyboards?

Expected Answer: Should explain that a pan is a horizontal camera movement and demonstrate knowledge of basic storyboard symbols and arrows used to show camera direction.

Q: Why might you choose to use a pan in a scene?

Expected Answer: Should be able to give basic examples like following a character's movement or revealing new information in a scene.