How to storyboard a film sequence

·        The purpose of a storyboard is to photograph (draw/digitalise) each and every shot of a film with a list of key information written underneath it.

·        Storyboards allow a director to visualise the whole film before filming and also allows the cameraperson to understand how the film is to be shot

·        Storyboards also allow you to change elements if they don’t work visually before the expensive filmmaking process

Each frame of the storyboard should contain the following information:

1.    Shot number: Each shot of the storyboard must be numbered so that the intended sequence of shots can be followed

2.    Framing: Is the shot a Close up? Medium shot? Long shot?

3.    Drawing: A drawing visualisation of what is happening in the shot

4.    Action: A brief description of what is happening in the shot

5.    Dialogue: Single lines of dialogue may be written

6.    Sound effects: Are there any specific sounds, diegetic, and non-diegetic?

·        Each frame on the storyboard must have a shot descriptors such as FRAMING: MLS, ECU, LS etc

·        Also information on movement and position such as the following abbreviations could be added:

·        H/A = High Angle

·        L/A = Low Angle

·        POV = Point of view

·        2-SHOT = Two people in a shot

·        OTS = Over the shoulder

·        Track/dolly = move camera on wheeled platform

·        Crab = sideways move

·        Pull focus = change what is focused on

·        Students will also need to think about:

·        Location

·        Props

·        Logistics – where and when will you create your sequence (Create Production Schedule)