STORYBOARDING

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A storyboard is a representation of a story.  It is a guide, a plan and a blueprint from which you will direct your film.  It is making your ideas and translating them into visual images.

 

A storyboard consists of a series of numbered rectangles with pictures in them. There is one rectangle per shot.

 

A storyboard is drawn in a way similar to a comic strip, showing the main scenes and events.  It doesn't illustrate every moment in the film; it is not a frame-by-frame breakdown of the story, but rather a scene-by-scene breakdown.  In your storyboard you're not only dealing with the plot but important information such as the mood, the setting and anything else that you think will help the audience understand your story.

 

Storyboards are used:

1. To work out and discuss your ideas before using any resources.

2. To visualize what your film will look like.

3. To describe how the film is sequenced and put together. It also helps to speed up production, by allowing scenes to be shot out of order while ensuring that all required shots are taken.

4. To provide a step-by-step guide to making and shooting your film.

5. To help maintain continuity.

6. To help communicate what is required of the cast and crew.

7. To assist with editing.

8. To save time and money.

 

In each of your storyboard frames, you want to single out the essentials details needed to communicate the information in that particular scene.  There are two ways to do this, a picture and written notes. Keep in mind that the pictures are designed so that directors can communicate their ideas with producers, cinematographers, and actors. The time or length of the shot is noted. The numbers indicate scenes, such as 1,2,3. Letters that follow, indicate shots within that scene, such as 1a, 1b, 1c. Typically, a new shot is needed every time the camera moves.

 

Example:

Camera direction: C/U of Jeb.

Summary of action: He almost collapses.

Dialogue: "I'm going to pass out!"

• Camera angles are written in short form, such as "C/U" for Close Up.

• The Summary of Action is kept brief.

• Dialogue lines can include words stated by actors on or off camera. Also a voice-over, if used is included. Other audio such as music or traffic noise should also be noted.

• Transitions between shots are also included, such as "Cut,"  "Pan," and "Dissolve."

 

Elements of a Good Storyboard

1. -   A project title

2. -   Sketches with scene numbers

3. -   Description of Scene

4. -   Camera angles

5. -   Audio notes

6. -   Actor notes

7. -   Additional camera, lighting

8. -   Scene transition notes

 

Continuity: ensures that scenes make sense, eg if a person is wearing a red shirt in one scene is he wearing the same shirt in the next.  It is important to preserve the reality of the production.

 

List of Shots: Keeps track of shots taken, locates scenes on tape, and indicates duration. It also speeds up the editing process.