Storyboarding - is a graphic organizer that plans a narrative. Storyboards are a powerful way to visually present information; the linear direction of the cells is perfect for storytelling, explaining a process, and showing the passage of time. At their core, storyboards are a set of sequential drawings to tell a story.
Each medium has evolved its own version of what is included in storyboards based on the artistic and financial needs:
Live-action
Storyboards for a live-action scene could be as simple as an overhead diagram or map of the action. The main purpose is to illustrate the story and action to the director and DOP.
Animation
Due to tight deadlines and even tighter budgets it must be tightly composed. The characters must be on model, with the layouts established and all the continuity worked out. Continuity refers to the seamless flow from one shot to the next. Storyboards are essential for the construction of an animated show or film. They are the emotional road map for the narrative.
VFX
The storyboard is the bridge that allows the tight synchronisation involved in creating live-action actors interacting with virtual monsters, supernatural forces, or moving through complex architectural spaces.
Beatboards
These shots are the key snapshots of the scenes in the movie/sequence, and tell a more complex story in a single image. Beat boards help in an initial project pitch, and then a storyboard is built from it.
In order to work the script into a storyboard, you need to define importance shots that depict the vital information such as action and situation.
It is important that the information in these images are clear so your audience (and potential client) can understand what you are trying to communicate
Imporant Tips To Remember
1. Use scenery to communicate size/scale.
2. Consider range of images to best convey story/situation.
3. Ask questions - leave them wanting wanting more.
4. Demonstrate the theme, don’t tell it!
5. Give characters personalities.
6. Show information, do not rely on words.
Task
Brief
Pick one of the following fairytales and use one element of the story to create a storyboard of your own in no less than six frames.
- Hansel and Gretel
- Jack and the beanstalk
- Humpty Dumpty
- Goldilocks
These frames should convey the narrative.
Focus on the elements discussed such as, scale, composition, emotion and movement.
I chose to create a storyboard based on Goldilocks:
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