Storyboard

What is a "storyboard"?

It's a way to organize a film visually.  Ideally, you should plan EVERY shot.  In a 4 minute film, assuming a new shot every 4 seconds, you should storyboard about 60 shots.  This sounds like a lot of work, however, once you've gone through the process of creating a storyboard, you will have a visual reference to use during production. When you are actually shooting,  you can vary the shots up, and even add new shots.  

Remember to use the 'RULE OF THIRDS' throughout your film.  The best place to think this through is creating your storyboard and using a template with the lines drawn.

Your storyboard should contain:

• page numbers

• scene and shot numbers

• type of shot:  XCU (Extreme Close Up), CU (Close Up), MS (Mid or Medium Shot), Full, Wide)

• Brief shot notes/description and indicate if there is dialogue.

Have a look at this DEMO storyboard:

• Storyboard Printable Template

How do you know what shots to include in your scenes? What "coverage" do you need?

Standard 5 shot sequence is the best place to start:

1. CU or XCU (i.e. hands playing the piano)

2. Shot of subjects face (CU reaction shot)

3. MS  i.e. actor playing the piano showing the piano and the actor's head, torso, and hands (but not legs)

4. Over the Shoulder (OS) or Point of View (POV) shot showing what the actor sees

5. Imaginative / interesting / unusual angle (perhaps an overhead shot)