From Storyboard Artist to Marvel Director: Todd Harris on EYES OF WAKANDA & SINNERS

You know that iconic SINNERS juke joint music montage? Todd Harris is the artist who helped bring that sequence to life. A veteran storyboard artist, Todd went from designing action sequences for blockbusters like BLACK PANTHER, AVENGERS, and JOHN WICK to creating, directing, and showrunning his own Marvel series and directorial debut, EYES OF WAKANDA.On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, host Paola Mardo sits down with Todd to discuss his journey from storyboard artist to director. He reveals how he designed the music montage sequence in Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS, shares advice for aspiring filmmakers, and explains the art behind storyboarding action sequences. He also opens up about pitching EYES OF WAKANDA to Kevin Feige and Ryan Coogler, building new characters like Noni and The Lion, and weaving real history into Wakandan lore.Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.comShop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.orgWatch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, SpotifyFollow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com(00:00) SINNERS juke joint montage oner(02:13) Voice Memo from Brad Winderbaum, Head of Marvel TV and Marvel Animation(03:40) Advice for emerging directors, working with Taika Waititi on THOR: RAGNAROK(06:00) Tips for presenting ideas to directors(07:14) Storyboard artistry(08:45) How Todd became a storyboard artist(10:59) Process for breaking down script in storyboarding(13:55) Pitching ideas, John Wick(15:48) Storyboarding that iconic SINNERS juke joint montage oner(18:00) The illusion of language, knowing your director’s taste(20:30) Working with Ryan Coogler on BLACK PANTHER and BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (with a pitstop at AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR)(22:45) Creating EYES OF WAKANDA and pitching Kevin Feige(24:40) Real history meets Wakandans(25:05) Memnon, fan reactions, Sea Peoples, Conan the Barbarian, James Earl Jones as inspiration for The Lion(26:50) Working with Marvel, transitioning from storyboarding to directing(29:15) EYES OF WAKANDA behind-the-scenes, creating original characters, Noni(33:22) Iron Fist(34:42) Todd’s Storyboarding Process(40:30) Prox RecsIN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIAHost, Director, Producer: Paola MardoExecutive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev OhanianTheme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig GöranssonCo-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick EpinoSound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken NanaEditors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben CalozaSound Recordist: Isabella MillerMotion Graphics Designer: Apollo BaldozProduction Assistant: Isabella MillerPost-Production Coordinator: Celine MendiolaSocial Media Coordinator: Alexandria SantanaProduction Intern: Ben Caloza