Week 4 - Storyboard like a pro

Understanding the basic of the shot:

There are two main areas to consider and use when planning a shot, they are distance and angle. Every time you have a new shot (camera moves or cuts) you should have a purpose.

Visual images can be “read” like other texts. The composition of a shot as well as camera distance, angle, lighting, and the placement of a shot in a sequence all affect how a person interprets the moving image.

A filmmaker must also have an artistic understanding of what makes a good composition.

Composition is the content and deliberate arrangement of elements within a frame to suggest meaning! Every composition has a point of emphasis, or centre of interest.

The film maker directs the viewers’ attention to the object of greatest significance within the frame or shot through camera positioning. Storyboard artists, directors of photography and directors work hard to make sure the audience is receiving the right information.

Close-Up Shot

A close-up allows the cinematographer to focus the audience’s attention on a specific detail. This detail fills the entire frame. Faces, hands, or individual objects are often shown in close-up or extreme close-up. Filmmakers use a close-up or extreme close-up shot for a reason and not just to play with the zoom lens! The close-up provides what the filmmaker believes is necessary or meaningful information for the audience.

Medium Shot

A medium shot reveals more of the subject. If the subject is a person, a medium shot usually shows that person from the waist up.

Long Shot

A long shot is often called an establishing shot because it shows the subject in its surroundings and establishes the setting. In long shots, the subject generally appears small in relation to the surroundings.

High-Angle Shot

In a high-angle shot, the camera is above the subject and looks down. This can make the subject appear small, weak, or unimportant.

Low-Angle Shot

A low-angle shot looks up at the subject and can make the subject seem large or impressive.

Eye-Level Shot

This shot looks at the subject on approximately the same level as the subject.

Lighting Rules:

·         Know which direction its coming from and where the shadows fall

·         Know how many light sources are in a shot and how they interact

·         Incorporate high contrast in blocks to draw the eye in where possible

Ways of building a storyboard and tricks to help:

·         Build (rough) mini sets, make little people and photograph

·         Use people in put them in a rough set and photograph

·         Collage – use cut outs – found images – what ever works

·         CG 2D

·         CG 3D – also know as pre-vis (pre-visualisation)

Task: 

In pairs use the Oliver Twist script and the storyboard template given draw the script in story board format. Each shot has to be considered and drawn well. Agree on small thumbnail sketches before you work on the final board. Pin you final drawings to the board for review.

Homework: 

Take a scene from your favourite film and draw the storyboard.