Storytelling Unit- Story-boards

Storytelling Unit-Story-Boards

What are they?
Where are they used?
Storyboard styles 
Shot descriptions 

A series of sketches used as a planning tool to visualise the action of how a story is told. They're usually incredibly detailed, like mini works of art whilst others can be purely diagrammatical. Whichever they take they concentrate on key frames

When are storyboards used?
They are used in all forms of films and programmes, with some formats using them more often. 
An example is with Raiders of The lost Arc:
 

They can be used at any stage of production
Concept for a new project
Test shoots can be expensive but a story board will convey it cheaply 
Can help to sell the idea 
Usually used in pre-production 
Work out what is required to deliver the production 
Once all the planning is complete story boards are used in the production phase as a guide for setting up the shots in the day. 
Some productions use the storyboards as only a rough guide or backup. 
Not always used-programmes like Eastenders don't
Can be used in paint production to help editors visualise the scene how the director intended. It would speed up the editing process.

Pre-Visuals
Animated storyboard, which is for really highe end productions
Used for Inaidans Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

3main styles:
Graphic- Most detailed version
Diagrammatical- less artistic but give detailed information of the shots nevertheless
Plan view-not showing really what's in the view but where the cameras are going to be.

Shot descriptions
Describes what shots are to be used
There are a few variants but the best are:
Birdseye view-good for establishing shots and gives a good idea for the environment.
Extreme Longshot/long shot-placing character within a space. Long shot would usually have their full bodies in it
Medium close up/close up- MS would be waste upwards. CU would have just the head
Extreme Coise Up-eyes and nose at most, for very specific detail.

Camera movement
Tilt shot moves the camera up. Often confused with a pan shot
Crane Shot-using craene arm of jib and it moves down, up and sideways
Pan shot, left to right/ right to left.
Usually from a fixed position, not usually moving the camera.
Tracking shot-using a tracking device, usually on rails

Touch of evil uses one shot that lasts a long time at the beginning following a bomb.
 

Dolly shots are different to zoom shots because you move the actual camera

Camera position
Can be employed in the description of a shot
Low angle- Can give a character some sense of authority, intimidation 
High angle- Can make a character look vulnerable or even alone
Over the shoulder shot (OTS) - Positioned over a characters shoulder, looking at another character or view.
The steadicam- was first used in the 1970s and is now a shot widely employed and can combine all the types of shots described previously in one single, amazing shot. 
Prep the shoot.






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