Storyboarding tips and tutorials

There are several methods of storyboarding. One is that involves drawing according to a scene, and another involving animatics (low-tech storyboards, the TPM DVD has got some example of animatics), and scheduling.

I have a final completed script for "Fan Wars: The Half-Life Wars", the first spectacular live-action/CGI cross-over fanfilm involving Star Wars, and non-Star Wars (like Half-Life, Star Trek, and etc.), but I don't know how to use animatics, scheduling, and drawing acoording to a scene.

Conversations are welcome, though.

 

Wait... you know what storyboarding and animatics are, but you don't know how to use them? That AND you have a completed script?


How old are you?

 

I have a near completed script. And I'am 17 years old.

 

i would lik e to know more tips on hat exactly to put on the storyn board once you havea script

 

You use the storyboard to help you visualize what shots are going to look like, and what the progression is going to be. Really, it's that simple.

 

but I don't know how to use animatics, scheduling, and drawing acoording to a scene.
Doesn't sound too spectacular to me.
Have fun.

 

Draw stick figures.

Like the others, I have no idea what you're talking about. It's simple, you just draw pictures of how you want the shots to look.

 

My biggest suggestion is watch some BTS features on your favorite (or even your least favorite) DVD - you can learn a ton about the process by watching and learning the little steps they show you when it comes to pre-production.

Also, I'm going to add a new section to the "everything" sticky tomorrow that will have some sites where you can download free templates for this sort of thing - so if you decide to go with the stick figures at least you'll have some cool looking boxes to put them in.

Good luck!

 

Thank you, DVeditor for your suggestions. I'll try them out, from animatics, scheduling, drawing, and/or methods of storyboarding.

 

At first, you may want to know that the animatics LucasFilm does for Star Wars are very often better than the final visual effects of an average fanfilm.

So you should think about whether you want to cope with a digital previsualization process that will eventually take as long as actually making the final shots.

In my opinion computer pre- visualization can be very effective but it can also cause a lot of creative damage to the final movie because you will:

1.) tend to ultimately stick to your pre-vis, even though you may get better ideas on set

2.) waste much time trying to visualize things that you can also DIRECT as the DIRECTOR on set

3.) not train the ability to formulate your directions in words and end up only pointing your finger at a little video [that you may actually not even have on set]

4.) not enjoy the fun of drawing storyboards with pen and paper

5.) suppress your actors' creative input and their own ideas about how to play a scene, etc.


Previsualization IS VERY important, don't get me wrong. It allows you to have a useful overview of your whole "movie idea". Just don't waste too much time with it and don't stick to it too much. A painter usually neither drafts his idea with a pen on the canvas first (is that a proper sentence???).

 

By now, storyboarding templates are now available.

 

What language are you writing in?

 

Get someone who knows how to draw. If you're really that meticulous, make it detailed then (though storyboards tend to not be detailed).

The purpose of storyboarding, as in previz, is for you to plan your shots. So you and your artist should have a good visual sense. Proper blocking, rule of threes, and all that jazz.

 

Explain the Jazz, please. What is the rule of threes?

 

Get this book and read it.

M. Scott

 

Have you got the sticky section posted along with the storyboarding techniques?

 

Dorkman's right. To take it further, I suggest you study more about the filmmaking process before you waste your time and effort experimenting. It's easier that way.

Here's one for you:

The rule of threes is basically how you divide a frame (this applies to paintings also). You basically divide your visual frame into 3 main areas where you can put your elements. For example, a close-up shot of a head. The head occupies 1/3 of the frame, leaving the background. Stuff like that.

It's all about how you place the elements, making your visuals more eye-pleasing. It also shows you planned your shots well.


*Note: the rule of threes has been practiced by painters since...oh, before you were born. ;p

 

They are templates not techniques, but yes they are in there under the "free resources" section.

 

Er, not quite right. You're supposed to put stuff along the lines that delineate the thirds, not in the thirds. Do a Google image search for tons of examples.

 

Isn't that very fundamental? I think most visual people have it in their blood and judge their own decisions upon a subconscious feeling for the rule of thirds, rather than applying it consciously.

 

Heres a snipet of my storyboards I do on my Toshiba tablet PC.

[image=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/HAPAJEDI/jodiflashback1.jpg]

 

Nice storyboard, Hapajedi.

I usually paint them by hand.

Green arrows mean camera movement and red arrows mean action.

 

And our young filmmaker needs to know the fundamentals.

One will be surprised at the number of amateur films out there that suffer from bad blocking and compsition.

Having been to an art university, the rule of thirds can both be within the divisions AND along the lines of division. It's kinda loose that way.

Again, to our young filmmaker, that's just the start. There are a lot more things to consider in storyboarding, but it's primarily about composing your shots beforehand. Hope that helps.

 

One should try to apply the idea of the "golden circle" or whatever it is called to the length of cuts in a movie and see if more people like to see it.