Storyboarding in Filmmaking: A Short Guide
“Well, what we do is we have a script, of course. But for us, writing is also like storyboarding. It's drawing. And so we will cut all of those drawings together with music, sound effects and dialogue. And we screen this kind of stick-figure version of the film.”
~ Pete Docter
Every successful video production, whether it's Christopher Nolan's groundbreaking feature "Inception" or Beyoncé's visually stunning "Lemonade" music video, starts with a vision. That vision is transformed into a reality through the creative work and technical craft that goes into filmmaking. One of the foundational tools facilitating this transformation is storyboarding.
Much like an architectural plan for a building, a storyboard serves as the visual blueprint for a film, offering a scene-by-scene breakdown that enables everyone involved to visualize the narrative. This guide provides an in-depth exploration of the crucial role storyboarding plays in the pre-production stage of filmmaking, and how to apply this practice for your own projects.
The Absolute Basics
At its core, a storyboard is a sequence of drawings representing the shots planned for a film. It serves as the first visual draft of the film, a guide that outlines the narrative, characters, camera angles, and actions scene by scene. Think of the epic fight scenes in "The Matrix" or the car chases in "Mad Max: Fury Road"; all these sequences were initially born in the form of sketches on a storyboard.
Traditionally, storyboards are hand-drawn sketches in a notebook, and there is indeed an organic charm to this approach. Martin Scorsese, one of the best directors of all time, is known for his detailed hand-drawn storyboards, which resemble complex comic strips. Scorsese's storyboards for "Taxi Driver" not only defined the visual feel of the film but also served as a communication tool with his crew. However, one potential downside of the traditional method is the time it takes to amend and distribute the drawings physically.
Alternatively, digital drawing on an iPad or a graphic tablet offers a new level of flexibility and convenience. Applications like Procreate offer a variety of tools to draw, add colors, textures, and layers, providing a more detailed visual guide. Music video director Spike Jonze, known for visually compelling works such as Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice," reportedly used an iPad to storyboard his feature film, "Her." The ability to quickly edit, layer, and share the storyboards provides a level of efficiency that can be invaluable in a fast-paced production environment. However, these advantages come with a learning curve and an upfront investment in hardware and software.
Using Pre-visualization Software: set.a.light
Modern filmmaking has witnessed the evolution of storyboarding into pre-visualization, with the advent of pre-visualization software. By creating a 3D space that accurately simulates the film set, filmmakers can experiment and fine-tune various aspects of the scene before the actual shoot.
Take set.a.light for example. This pre-visualization software allows you to position 3D models of actors and props, adjust lighting conditions, set up detailed camera angles, and even simulate camera movement. If you're planning a dolly shot in a cramped location, you can use "set.a.light" to visualize the movement path of the camera, position the actors, and figure out where to place lights without physically being in the location. This can save countless hours on the actual shoot day and avoid unforeseen obstacles.
Personally, If I’m not interested in simulating lighting setups, I’ll create storyboards with character blocking and basic environments in Blender. There’s not a specific reason I use Blender other than the fact that it’s free to use and it’s what I’m most comfortable working with.
Grabbing Reference Images
Being able to visualize an entire scene in your head is definitely a skill that is built up over time with a lot of practice. For a majority of people, especially beginners, it just isn’t possible. Lucky for you, even the most accomplished filmmakers and graphic designers rely on references to inspire and inform their creative work. Inspirational references breathe life into your work and help define your unique visual style. They are the creative fuel behind memorable scenes, such as the silhouetted dance sequence in "La La Land" or the innovative transitions in Edgar Wright's "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World."
Platforms like frameset.com, filmgrab.com, and shotdeck.com offer an exhaustive library of stills from hundreds of films. These resources provide a window into the visual styles of some of the best directors of all time. You can use these stills as references, not for outright imitation, but to inform your visual approach. For instance, if you're creating a moody noir film, studying frames from classics like "The Third Man" can offer invaluable insights into lighting and composition.
Creating a Shot List
After storyboarding, the next crucial step in pre-production is the creation of a shot list. A shot list is a comprehensive checklist that details every single shot in your film or video. It serves as the roadmap for your production, outlining every scene, angle, camera movement, and actor's positioning.
Consider the iconic dinner scene from Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." The shot list for this scene would specify everything from the extreme close-ups of the characters' faces to the wide shots capturing the entire environment. It would detail the subtle camera movements, the timing of the cuts, and the shifts in focus. By detailing each shot, the shot list ensures that the director and the director of photography are on the same page and that the entire crew understands the vision for each scene.
Shooting a Preview with Your iPhone
The final step in the pre-production stage is to conduct a practice run-through, often known as a "previs," of your scenes. This is essentially a dress rehearsal, giving you a sense of the overall pacing, timing, and flow of your scenes. It's also an opportunity to identify any potential issues or improvements.
The 'Artemis Pro' app turns your iPhone into a portable viewfinder, replicating various lens focal lengths and enabling you to frame your shots accurately. Combining this tool with your shot list provides a powerful setup to capture a rough version of your scenes. A music video director planning a complex sequence with numerous cuts timed to the beat, for example, could use 'Artemis Pro' and their shot list to film a low-stakes version of the sequence. This practice run allows the director to refine the timing and pacing before the actual, high-stakes shoot day.
Final Thoughts
Storyboarding and the steps that follow — creating a shot list and conducting a previs — are the foundational pillars of pre-production in filmmaking. Whether you're a director, a 3D artist, a graphic designer, or a photographer venturing into the realm of filmmaking, a well-crafted storyboard and a prepared shot list are your first steps toward successful execution. So pick up your sketchbook, fire up your pre-visualization software, or begin grabbing reference frames from the internet to start transforming your creative vision into a tangible piece of reality.