First approach of the Storyboard
The storyboard is a representation of your film in the form of drawings accompanied by technical elements for each plan storyboardé. The technical elements are the value of the framework, movements etc…
The storyboard is used in the film especially for specific sequences such as : a scene of action (combat), tracking, special effects, etc… Why ? Simply because the storyboard takes time and has a shot not negligible for the production. Moreover, it serves no purpose for the dialogue scenes, for example, or scenes that are “simple”.
It is also used a lot in the pub, or movie clip.
To support my point I will use the storyboard of the ” Fingers of stone “. You can see the movie in the article: to make a film/ to make a short film part 2.
This story was made by a storyboarder professional Merry Viersac in collaboration with yours truly :o)
- The phalanges of pierre
In these first two boards, we have several important information. In the left one, we know the value of the beginning and end of the plan. Thanks to the arrows a little rounded, we know that this est is a panoramic that allows us to move from tile 1 to 3. In contrast, in the second board, we have the same information in regard to the value of the beginning of the plan but not the end; while right arrows, towards the bottom, we indicate that this is a traveling with a pano from the top to the bottom.
We have the following of the gentlemen of the plate 3 and the end of the plan ( 2nd thumbnail). How do we know ? Two things tell us this. The 1st is the cut below the drawing 2. If the cut had not been mentioned (by omission), the fact that there are more arrows straight and the camera seems to be more on the side, we say that it is a new plan.
There are two new plans. You can also see the word cut (cut) under each of the thumbnails. Thus it should not be a plan per board as we can say in general.
Here are other indications are important.
Board left:
The arrow beneath the character shows us that he is in motion. The arrows straight to the top we say that it is a panoramic vertical Bottom-Top.
On the left, the first drawing is a traveling. You can see that in addition to the arrows, the storyborder annotated to the right of each drawing. You put the essential information without polluting details.
As you can see, I will not comment on all the boards. I think that you have understood the principle!!! Obviously, this example does not give all the codes from the storyboard, but just a first approach. This exercise is not done alone. Find a storyboard artist in your area, he will be able to guide you and advise you. Sometimes you may have plans in mind, and the fact of having to confront someone who is in control of the proportions and the technical aspect of the film is going to make you change or make you change idea. Be aware that if one of them offers a plan, it is not because he is trying to achieve in your place. He tries to simply guide you the best he can for the good of your movie. Even if it is your movie, work with a storyboard artist is a team work to full-fledged.
Soon,
Tom Weil