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- Preparing Your Storyboard
Preparing Your Storyboard
T-SBFND-001-007
Storyboarding is one of the most crucial steps in any production. It is when you plan and build your scenes in accordance with the script, actions, and limitations. The storyboard is like the blueprint of your production.
Planning ahead can save you time and effort. While storyboarding will save you considerable time during production, some additional planning of your storyboard project will further streamline your workflow.
Including storyboarding in your project planning will allow you to meet a number of production goals, such as:
- Providing a common visual road map to which a team can refer
- Reducing overall production time
- Reducing the likelihood that production resources are not used on scenes that will eventually be deleted
Using the same logic, you can plan how you will storyboard which will ease the early part of production.
Before you begin storyboarding, consider the factors that will affect your storyboard project and final production.
The Script
Create a complete or well-developed script. The more complete your screenplay is, the easier your ideas will be to storyboard. Storyboarding is also beneficial for completing a script that is in the last stages of development, as it can often help to resolve remaining storytelling issues. For example, storyboarding can highlight the need for modifications to the transitions between scenes or make you realize there are scenes missing that need to be inserted to enhance the flow of action.
The Structure
Consult your script and try to visualize it as a series of scenes. Then decide which ones can be placed into panels in your future storyboard. You still do not need to draw anything at this point; you just want to assess if there is a smooth, logical visual flow to the story, and get an idea of the type of scenes that will work in your production.
Breaking down your script into smaller components produces a more manageable structure to work with.
The Delivery
How will your final production be broadcast? Is it designed for television, HDTV, or widescreen film? Will it be watched on a tablet or mobile device? These factors determine the aspect ratio of the final production. The size and dimensions of your production will determine the level of detail and how your scenes are composed.
Assume the viewer’s role for a moment and try to determine how your project will be best viewed in its final medium.
Time Estimated 10 mins
Difficulty Level Beginner
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