Storyboard Tips
General
The creation and development of a Storyboard is one of the fundamental processes needed when attempting to create a successful video. This process involves creating and developing a sequence of still pictures, deliberately arranged to represent the events of your creative idea. It is this process which acts as a preview for the proposed video, thus allowing ideas and concepts to be developed and tested before the time and capital-intensive process of filming.
Within this, it is recommended to those preparing to create a video to incorporate as much detail as possible into their storyboards, such as the various different camera angles you will be using, lighting and the proposed sound effects and music which will accompany the different scenes.
As you can see, this process does not require a person to be a great artist, as simple sketches are all that is needed to provide a guideline for the plot and narrative direction of the proposed film. However what is important is the amount of detail you put into the storyboard, as the more comprehensive your storyboard is, the greater your chances are of producing a quality video.
How to Create a Storyboard
Step 1
Write a Synopsis of the plot (narrative) of the film
Example: “A primary school has just been told that their School is about to be closed down due to a change in government policy. In hearing this news the students rallied together and decided to come up with a plan to save there school. The kids were willing to anything to save there school, therefore they decided to hold a rock concert on the steps of parliament to promote there basic message “Save our School”. The kids are successful, due to the media coverage the government decides not to close the primary school down; but at what cost to the kids ……”
Step 2
Break up the plot into Moments and Scenes, then Shots.
This stage it is recommended that you break the plot into a thumb nail grid of approximately 8-10 key scenes.
Step 3
Pencil in the scenes and shots
This process is best done with ‘stick’ figures and shorthand shot descriptions. E.g. Mid Shot of a boy running left to right across a busy road, with the theme song of Rocky playing (eye of the Tiger)
Step 4
Analyse
Take a close look at your storyboard. Look for missing scenes, soundtrack and/or various other camera angles which will enhance the detail of your draft storyboard.
Step 5
Flesh out the Draft
Use drawings, Clip art or digital photos to add more detail to the shot descriptions.
Step 6
Analyse
This time, because you have clearer images, you have the ability to look for consistencies in narrative development and continuity.
Step 7
Send in your Storyboard to Panasonic New Zealand, 350 Te Irirangi Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland.