Storyboarding Quick Guide
1. Why Storyboard? A storyboard is a series of sketches, drawings or photographs used to plan and prepare for production (one may consider storyboards as virtual shoots in this sense). As your game-making skills develop and the scope of your games increase you’ll realize more and more that storyboards are a small but essential component of directing and producing a game. 2. Remember that storyboarding isn't the way to write a Game. It's simply a way to visualize how actors, props, backgrounds & camera angles will fit together in any particular scene or sequence of shots. It's the visualization of your script. In other words, what you need before you get started is your script. No script, no storyboard. 3. Once you've written your script you’ll have an idea of what will happen in your movie, get some paper, templates, post it notes or poster board to assemble your storyboard on.
4. Start with the beginning of your film and draw the first shot. Remember, you don't have to be a skilled drawer to draw a storyboard. The most important function of the storyboard is to show how the shot is going to look. For example, if a character is going to be in left side of the frame, in a close-up shot, get that in the drawing. And if the suitcase in the back of the room is essential to the scene, get that in as well.
Storyboard Key Features
Shot/Scene number Depiction of Scene (characters environment etc.) Dialogue Visual FX Audio & Sound FX Camera Angle
Q. What is missing from this Storyboard?
Answer: No Text Some Camera Directions No Sound The images are well drawn but you have to draw your own conclusions as to what is happening.
An example from the well known movie “Sin City”
STORYBOARD ADVANTAGES: 1.
Helps you to improve and get feedback on ideas.
2.
Help to give you an idea of how many view points and camera angles you’ll need.
3.
Help you prepare for any special and visual effect shots.
4.
Help you to experiment with different angles and techniques.
5.
Help you to orientate characters, vehicles and environments.
6.
Helps with the overall pre-production of the film/game.
7.
Can help with continuity and flow of your story.
8.
Bring your ideas to reality!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: 1.
Drawing apparatus (pencil, eraser, pen, the usual…)
2.
A template (not essential but does speed up the process)
3.
Your script / screenplay/story.
4.
Some creativity, inspiration, and motivation.
STORYBOARD TERMINOLOGY:
1.
CLOSE-UP SHOT or CU: Subject does not fill frame but is not in full view. E.g. Waist to head.
2. BIG CLOSE UP or BCU: Subject fills screen fully. E.g. Actors face. 3. HIGH CAMERA ANGLE: Camera looks down to subject. E.g. From a crane. 4. LEVEL CAMERA ANGLE: Camera is at same level as subject. 5. LOW CAMERA ANGLE: Looking at subject from below. Makes the subject look significant. 6. LONG SHOT or LS: A shot from maximum distance. 7. ESTABLISHING or EST: Usually makes use of a Long Shot to set the scene. 8. POINT OF VIEW or POV / FIRST PERSON: A shot seen through the characters eyes. Find one example of each shot
USING ARROWS: Arrows are regularly used in storyboards as they can drastically save time. An arrow can be used to indicate a single movement instead of drawing up multiple frames:
ZOOMING: By placing a floating box in a frame with arrows you indicate zooming.
MOVEMENT: Single arrows are usually used to indicate simple movements.
PANNING: Floating boxes with arrows can be used to show panning.