A storyboard is a visual representation of a sequence seen on screen in a moving image production, they usually include - camera directions, characters movements, timings and a brief synopsis of the action. Each cast and crew member should be given a copy of the storyboard, this will help to enable everything goes as it was intended to be. A storyboard might show a camera operator how to move the camera as the director had wanted, or they can tell an actor how they should be moving. Overall, ensuring that storyboards are done to a professional standard and having them will help to make the pre-production process easier.
Who invented the Storyboard?
The story boarding technique was developed by Walt Disney Productions during early 1930, they have credited one of their animators Webb Smith with creating the idea of drawing scenes on separate sheets of paper and putting them on a bulletin board to tell a story in sequence, the first storyboard he created was for wind in the willows. Webb Smith also worked on pieces such as 'Snow white and the seven Dwarfs', 'Pinocchio' and 'Dumbo', most of which are now live action films.
In addition to storyboards, animatics can also used to help filmmakers visualize the story in more depth. Animatics are animated storyboards which gives filmmakers a way to see the action in real time, so the final shots can be planned better. This ensures that if there are any mistakes or faults, they will appear in an anatomic so they can be fixed just as easily.
What was one of the first films to have a storyboard?
One of the first live action films to be storyboarded fully was 'Gone with the Wind',created by William Cameron Menzies. The story boarding ptocess became popular in live action film production during the early 1940s, and it grew into a standard practice for pre-visualization of films. Storyboards were important for a live action films because they tell the cast where they should be and how they should move, they can also be used to indicate how well lit a scene should be, or the type of shot the camera operators should used.
What is a photomatic?
A photomatic is a series of still photographs that have been edited together and presented on screen to make a sequence. This technique is relevant to contemporary storyboards because they combined the frames in a sequence to have a better idea of how the final production will look, this will be particularity important for animators and creators.
What did Hitchcock say about Storyboards and how did he use them?
Hitchcock was known for his extensive story-boarding, which were usually down to the finest detail of production. There is a myth he is reported to have never looked through the viewfinder, because he felt he didn’t need to do so. If you look at the storyboard on the left and the video bellow, you will be able to match up the shots. This shows how strict he was, ensuring it all matches up as it was planned. Hitchcock trained as a draughtsman and worked in advertising before his first job in the film industry; designing title cards for silent films. This may have influenced his style, however whilst he was a very experienced illustrator, he always hired a storyboard artist. These artists included the likes of Saul Bass and Harold Michelson , some of their most known for - 'Exodus', 'Anatomy of a Murder' 'West Side Story' and 'Fiddlier on the roof'.
The storyboard utilizes camera movements and angles to effectively visualize the sequence, by breaking up character and camera movements. Cutting between long shots and close ups on the birds helps to emphasize the scale and size of the group, presenting them as angry and violent, this will install a sense of fear within the audience. The camera also cuts to close ups of the characters faces, this will make the audience feel sympathy for them as they would feel petrified in the same situation, it also adds to the dramatic effect by showing the cause and reaction. Additionally, the storyboard includes character movements which gives the actors a clearer idea of how the director wants them to be moving, this could also be used to spot any continuity errors so they can be adjusted before filming. Furthermore, the lighting choices of each shot are also demonstrated using darker tones of grey. It would be important to light the scene as depicted as the lighting and amount of shadow helps to enhance the atmosphere of the scene. Overall, this storyboard would have been hugely effective in the production process. It meant the characters know how they should move, the cinematographer would know what shots to get and the lighting team would be aware of how much shadow should be in each shot. If any of this would cause a problem, the continuity errors would be visible almost instantly and therefore they can be corrected.
This is the trailer for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Birds', The director would have used the storyboard as a rough guideline for the composition. The arrows within the frame are also used as a guideline for the actors, so they know how they should be moving or reacting to the action. There shots are done in this way so they have a greater impact on the viewer, portraying the birds as a force of evil to create atmosphere and tension. The close ups of the birds in a group are used to intimidate the viewer, making them seem bigger than they are. This technique is effective because it emphasizes the sense of drama and fear
Features of storyboards -
Story - The primary element of a storyboard is the story it is telling. When you put the story in order on a storyboard, you will be able to see if the story makes sense and whether it is complete or is missing key information. A storyboard also helps you too organize and insert key details and points from the story in a logical manner, this may help you to develop your idea further than you had intended.
Image - Image is extremely important when story boarding, this includes camera movements, composition and the actors movement.
Time frames - Storyboards should have notes about time frames - this is how much time will be used in a specific scene or how much time is passing between frames. This element of a storyboard helps you narrow down a story to a specific amount of time.
Dialogue - Dialogue can also be an important feature of a storyboard should you choose to use it as it is not always necessary. You would never put the full script on a storyboard as it will become too long winded for a piece of media like a film, but you should instead use words that would describe the emotion, volume or pitch that the dialogue is said in. This will be particularly important when designing a storyboard for a film, it will enable the actors to understand the way they are meant to say things.
Types of storyboards -
Film -
This storyboard has been taken from the iconic film 'king kong'. This page visualizes the attack on the giant ape and the types of camera movements used. This storyboard uses extreme close ups also helps to highlight the giants frustration, rapidly cutting between these helps to build pace and creates tension.The final shot is taken from a high angle looking down, this is a really effective shot because it helps to present the size and scale of Kong compared to the humans bellow. Furthermore, the characters movements have been effectively visualized using small arrows to create a clearer idea of what the final scene should look like. I have also noticed the attention to lighting in this one compared to other storyboards for an animation or or video game. This will help to indicate how the scheme should be lit. Lighting is important because it should be used to enhance the atmosphere of your scene. For this storyboard the use of darker lighting on Kong presents him as a figure to be scared of, these ideas will be reflected among the audience, helping to build pace and tension. To improve this storyboard, I would add timings and a brief synopsis of the shot. I would do this because it will help to make the final sequence easier to visualize. Including timings will give the editor a brief idea of how long each shot should be on screen, and including a brief synopsis of each shot should make any continuity errors clearer and therefore they can be corrected before the final cut.
This is a storyboard for Alfred Hitchcock's iconic film Psycho 1961, the famous shower seen can be seen on the right presented as a storyboard. This storyboard was created by Saul Bass and it utilizes lighting and camera angles or movements so the director is able to establish what the final piece should look like. Planning this out in this way is a really effective choice because it will make any continuity errors clear before the final edit by separating the shots up. The storyboard helps to show the actors where they should be in the scene, how far back or forward they are in relation to other objects that might be in frame. Furthermore, the directors choice of rapid changes between camera movements adds to the pace and atmosphere of the scene as the killer approaches the victim. The choice of varied angles like a close up zoom on the shower curtain as the silhouette is approaching the victim emphasizes the idea that she is unaware of the figure. The choice of using a zoom also gives the impression that something is about to happen, adding to the drama and suspense of the scene. Not many of the shots utilize a POV perspective, however it does include a shot where the killer is eye level with the victim. This is an effective choice as it forces the audience to be put in the victims place, allowing them to imagine how she felt like. Additionally, i believe the artists use of different shades is really important as it helps to depict how well lit the scene should be, helping to create a moodier atmosphere with more suspense. For example, the lighting choices will allow the killers silhouette to be seen by the viewer. This is a really important narrative tool as it keeps the identity of the murderer hidden, so the audience may question who it was, who has a motive and how they got into the house. This storyboard is different from the example above because it covers a much larger space of time, allowing the viewer to have a better understanding of what the final scene will look like. The example from 'King Kong' offers a small section which may encourage the viewer to watch the full length production.
Video Game -
Unlike storyboards used in films and Tv, games are not linear, this means that the events may not happen the same way each time the game is played. The camera angles, character movements and outcomes will be different depending on the player. A storyboard for a game will present a possible sequence of events, some might include more than one. This storyboard has been taken form the video game Borderlands, it is drawn with bold black fine liner, this is effective because it helps to clearer visualizes the final sequence. The artists has also used different shades to create areas of shadow and light. This storyboard also has a brief synopsis of what is happening in the frame or any dialogue, this helps to give the viewer a better idea of the final sequence and how the characters are portrayed.. Furthermore, this storyboard had arrows outside of the frame which show the type of camera movements, and the character movements are shown inside the screen. Although this should works as an example because these feature will be determined by the way the player plays. This storyboard is easier to understand than the one above as it gives the viewer a clear idea of what game play will be like rather than just explaining the narrative. It gives the production company a chance to introduce the characters again.
Music Video -
This is a storyboard for Taylor Swift's music video for 'You belong with me', storyboards for music videos will contain the type of shot, the dialogue, sound and camera movement, timings and editing techniques. The purpose of this storyboard is to instruct the production team. When they have read it, the cinematographer will know where to focus in each shot and how to move the camera, the sound team will know which mics to have live and any music needed. They should also have the timings of the shot and any editing techniques that will be applied. This will indicate how the editor should edit the sequence - any transitions or fades,how long each shot should be on screen for. Finally, each shot will have an evaluation, which will help to outline what the shot is and the impact it has on the viewer and the production as a whole. This storyboard is different to that of a film or Tv show because it is more detailed, it separates the audio into sound and dialogue aswell as shot types and camera movements, this helps to create a more detailed idea off what the final product will look and sound like.
The purpose of this storyboard is to effectively visualize the final sequence of a music video by breaking up each frame to show shots individually. This storyboard is not as effective as my previous example because it is largely image based and it mentions nothing about the kind of soundscape necessary. To improve this storyboard, i would include some information on the sound or the type of camera movements used, this will help the camera and audio team when filming as they will have a clear idea of what they should be doing in each shot. I also believe it is important to add some kind of timing or editing note, this helps to give the cinematographer ideas about how long each clip should be , and also the editing team will know what the director wants the final sequence to look like.
Storyboards for music videos should include notes about the soundscape (audio and dialogue), the camera movements ,and any editing decisions., These features work together to give the director a clearer idea of what the final sequence will look like. You can also include character movements, as seen in storyboards for film and Tv as it will give the actors a clearer idea of what they should be doing and where they should be. A storyboard for a music video will be different to most storyboards,
Animation -
This is part of the storyboard for 'Alice and wonderland' , the frames show the shot types that will be used and the style of animation used. The monotone effect allows the viewer to understand which areas of the composition should be light and dark. This storyboard would have been vital to the pre production process as it would allow the graphics and art department to know how to draw a characters reaction, an object and what the scale is between the characters and objects. This one uses low camera angles to depict the idea that Alice has shrunk. This storyboard is different to one that might be used in a live action film or music video as it does not include acting direction or a soundscape which might make it seem more informal. This storyboard also covers a small amount of time whereas a storyboard for a live action film would usually cover a larger space of time, and include transitions between scenes, a soundscape and shot timings.
A storyboard for an animation is different to a storyboard that would be used for live action Tv or film because it focuses mostly on the visual aspects, establishing the character in the setting. It does not have any character movements, transitions or audio as they are not necessary. It is important that the characters and their environment is drawn as they should be in a storyboard for an animation because the storyboard is used as a guide for how the characters should be and what is in shot. This is less important in live action films, styles often vary because they do not need to look like the actual actor, in most cases casting hasn't even been prepared yet. Another key difference between live action and animation storyboards is the number of frames. Live action storyboards depict key shots and character actions. wheras, a storyboard for an animation should include all the details, once again because the storyboard will be used for the development of the production.
Who invented the Storyboard?
The story boarding technique was developed by Walt Disney Productions during early 1930, they have credited one of their animators Webb Smith with creating the idea of drawing scenes on separate sheets of paper and putting them on a bulletin board to tell a story in sequence, the first storyboard he created was for wind in the willows. Webb Smith also worked on pieces such as 'Snow white and the seven Dwarfs', 'Pinocchio' and 'Dumbo', most of which are now live action films.
In addition to storyboards, animatics can also used to help filmmakers visualize the story in more depth. Animatics are animated storyboards which gives filmmakers a way to see the action in real time, so the final shots can be planned better. This ensures that if there are any mistakes or faults, they will appear in an anatomic so they can be fixed just as easily.
What was one of the first films to have a storyboard?
One of the first live action films to be storyboarded fully was 'Gone with the Wind',created by William Cameron Menzies. The story boarding ptocess became popular in live action film production during the early 1940s, and it grew into a standard practice for pre-visualization of films. Storyboards were important for a live action films because they tell the cast where they should be and how they should move, they can also be used to indicate how well lit a scene should be, or the type of shot the camera operators should used.
What is a photomatic?
A photomatic is a series of still photographs that have been edited together and presented on screen to make a sequence. This technique is relevant to contemporary storyboards because they combined the frames in a sequence to have a better idea of how the final production will look, this will be particularity important for animators and creators.
What did Hitchcock say about Storyboards and how did he use them?
Hitchcock was known for his extensive story-boarding, which were usually down to the finest detail of production. There is a myth he is reported to have never looked through the viewfinder, because he felt he didn’t need to do so. If you look at the storyboard on the left and the video bellow, you will be able to match up the shots. This shows how strict he was, ensuring it all matches up as it was planned. Hitchcock trained as a draughtsman and worked in advertising before his first job in the film industry; designing title cards for silent films. This may have influenced his style, however whilst he was a very experienced illustrator, he always hired a storyboard artist. These artists included the likes of Saul Bass and Harold Michelson , some of their most known for - 'Exodus', 'Anatomy of a Murder' 'West Side Story' and 'Fiddlier on the roof'.The storyboard utilizes camera movements and angles to effectively visualize the sequence, by breaking up character and camera movements. Cutting between long shots and close ups on the birds helps to emphasize the scale and size of the group, presenting them as angry and violent, this will install a sense of fear within the audience. The camera also cuts to close ups of the characters faces, this will make the audience feel sympathy for them as they would feel petrified in the same situation, it also adds to the dramatic effect by showing the cause and reaction. Additionally, the storyboard includes character movements which gives the actors a clearer idea of how the director wants them to be moving, this could also be used to spot any continuity errors so they can be adjusted before filming. Furthermore, the lighting choices of each shot are also demonstrated using darker tones of grey. It would be important to light the scene as depicted as the lighting and amount of shadow helps to enhance the atmosphere of the scene. Overall, this storyboard would have been hugely effective in the production process. It meant the characters know how they should move, the cinematographer would know what shots to get and the lighting team would be aware of how much shadow should be in each shot. If any of this would cause a problem, the continuity errors would be visible almost instantly and therefore they can be corrected.
This is the trailer for Alfred Hitchcock's 'Birds', The director would have used the storyboard as a rough guideline for the composition. The arrows within the frame are also used as a guideline for the actors, so they know how they should be moving or reacting to the action. There shots are done in this way so they have a greater impact on the viewer, portraying the birds as a force of evil to create atmosphere and tension. The close ups of the birds in a group are used to intimidate the viewer, making them seem bigger than they are. This technique is effective because it emphasizes the sense of drama and fear
Features of storyboards -
Story - The primary element of a storyboard is the story it is telling. When you put the story in order on a storyboard, you will be able to see if the story makes sense and whether it is complete or is missing key information. A storyboard also helps you too organize and insert key details and points from the story in a logical manner, this may help you to develop your idea further than you had intended.
Image - Image is extremely important when story boarding, this includes camera movements, composition and the actors movement.
Time frames - Storyboards should have notes about time frames - this is how much time will be used in a specific scene or how much time is passing between frames. This element of a storyboard helps you narrow down a story to a specific amount of time.
Dialogue - Dialogue can also be an important feature of a storyboard should you choose to use it as it is not always necessary. You would never put the full script on a storyboard as it will become too long winded for a piece of media like a film, but you should instead use words that would describe the emotion, volume or pitch that the dialogue is said in. This will be particularly important when designing a storyboard for a film, it will enable the actors to understand the way they are meant to say things.
Types of storyboards -
Film -
This is a storyboard for Alfred Hitchcock's iconic film Psycho 1961, the famous shower seen can be seen on the right presented as a storyboard. This storyboard was created by Saul Bass and it utilizes lighting and camera angles or movements so the director is able to establish what the final piece should look like. Planning this out in this way is a really effective choice because it will make any continuity errors clear before the final edit by separating the shots up. The storyboard helps to show the actors where they should be in the scene, how far back or forward they are in relation to other objects that might be in frame. Furthermore, the directors choice of rapid changes between camera movements adds to the pace and atmosphere of the scene as the killer approaches the victim. The choice of varied angles like a close up zoom on the shower curtain as the silhouette is approaching the victim emphasizes the idea that she is unaware of the figure. The choice of using a zoom also gives the impression that something is about to happen, adding to the drama and suspense of the scene. Not many of the shots utilize a POV perspective, however it does include a shot where the killer is eye level with the victim. This is an effective choice as it forces the audience to be put in the victims place, allowing them to imagine how she felt like. Additionally, i believe the artists use of different shades is really important as it helps to depict how well lit the scene should be, helping to create a moodier atmosphere with more suspense. For example, the lighting choices will allow the killers silhouette to be seen by the viewer. This is a really important narrative tool as it keeps the identity of the murderer hidden, so the audience may question who it was, who has a motive and how they got into the house. This storyboard is different from the example above because it covers a much larger space of time, allowing the viewer to have a better understanding of what the final scene will look like. The example from 'King Kong' offers a small section which may encourage the viewer to watch the full length production.Video Game -
This storyboard is for a 'Toy Story' video game, it is similar to other storyboards in the way it looks. There is a clear structure and flow between each shot. However, as this is made for a video game, it is different to other scoreboards because it focuses on the narrative which helps to develop the game. Here, you can see that Rex is hiding from a ghost. You wouldn't include the characters movements too much in this story board as games are non linear and they will be determined by the player, the purpose of this is to effectively explain the narrative for the game. This storyboard pays particular attention ti the characters facial expressions, this helps to develop this characters personality to the audience. Unlike other storyboards i have seen, it does not include lines of movement, camera angles and heights or synopsis or timing, emphasize is on the setting and the narrative build up. This storyboard could include a brief synopsis of what is going on or any dialogue, therefore it may be harder to understand than others.
Music Video -
This is a storyboard for Taylor Swift's music video for 'You belong with me', storyboards for music videos will contain the type of shot, the dialogue, sound and camera movement, timings and editing techniques. The purpose of this storyboard is to instruct the production team. When they have read it, the cinematographer will know where to focus in each shot and how to move the camera, the sound team will know which mics to have live and any music needed. They should also have the timings of the shot and any editing techniques that will be applied. This will indicate how the editor should edit the sequence - any transitions or fades,how long each shot should be on screen for. Finally, each shot will have an evaluation, which will help to outline what the shot is and the impact it has on the viewer and the production as a whole. This storyboard is different to that of a film or Tv show because it is more detailed, it separates the audio into sound and dialogue aswell as shot types and camera movements, this helps to create a more detailed idea off what the final product will look and sound like.The purpose of this storyboard is to effectively visualize the final sequence of a music video by breaking up each frame to show shots individually. This storyboard is not as effective as my previous example because it is largely image based and it mentions nothing about the kind of soundscape necessary. To improve this storyboard, i would include some information on the sound or the type of camera movements used, this will help the camera and audio team when filming as they will have a clear idea of what they should be doing in each shot. I also believe it is important to add some kind of timing or editing note, this helps to give the cinematographer ideas about how long each clip should be , and also the editing team will know what the director wants the final sequence to look like.
Storyboards for music videos should include notes about the soundscape (audio and dialogue), the camera movements ,and any editing decisions., These features work together to give the director a clearer idea of what the final sequence will look like. You can also include character movements, as seen in storyboards for film and Tv as it will give the actors a clearer idea of what they should be doing and where they should be. A storyboard for a music video will be different to most storyboards,
Animation -
This is part of the storyboard for 'Alice and wonderland' , the frames show the shot types that will be used and the style of animation used. The monotone effect allows the viewer to understand which areas of the composition should be light and dark. This storyboard would have been vital to the pre production process as it would allow the graphics and art department to know how to draw a characters reaction, an object and what the scale is between the characters and objects. This one uses low camera angles to depict the idea that Alice has shrunk. This storyboard is different to one that might be used in a live action film or music video as it does not include acting direction or a soundscape which might make it seem more informal. This storyboard also covers a small amount of time whereas a storyboard for a live action film would usually cover a larger space of time, and include transitions between scenes, a soundscape and shot timings.
A storyboard for an animation is different to a storyboard that would be used for live action Tv or film because it focuses mostly on the visual aspects, establishing the character in the setting. It does not have any character movements, transitions or audio as they are not necessary. It is important that the characters and their environment is drawn as they should be in a storyboard for an animation because the storyboard is used as a guide for how the characters should be and what is in shot. This is less important in live action films, styles often vary because they do not need to look like the actual actor, in most cases casting hasn't even been prepared yet. Another key difference between live action and animation storyboards is the number of frames. Live action storyboards depict key shots and character actions. wheras, a storyboard for an animation should include all the details, once again because the storyboard will be used for the development of the production.
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